A. Requirements for High School Graduation. The purpose of high school graduation requirements is to establish rigorous standards of learning that will enable all public school students to meet the vision of a Hawaii public school graduate. All Hawaii public school graduates will:

· Realize their individual goals and aspirations;
· Possess the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute positively and compete in a global society;
· Exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and
· Pursue post-secondary education and/or careers without need for remediation.

Students who demonstrate proficiency in the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards and General Learner Outcomes in the required courses shall receive a high school diploma. Students who meet additional requirements established by the Board of Education shall receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma. Proficiency shall be determined in accordance with established Department of Education procedures.

The minimum course and credit requirements to receive a high school graduation diploma and the minimum course and credit requirements to receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma are:

Course Requirements	High School Diploma	Board of Education Recognition Diploma
English *	4.0 credits	4.0 credits
Social Studies **	4.0 credits	4.0 credits
Mathematics	3.0 credits	3.0 credits
Science	3.0 credits	3.0 credits
World Language Fine Arts Career and Technical Education	2.0 credits in one of the specified courses	2.0 credits in one of the specified courses
Senior Project	Not required	1.0 credit
Physical Education ***	1.0 credit	1.0 credit
Health	0.5 credit	0.5 credit
Personal/Transition Plan	0.5 credit	0.5 credit
Electives	6.0 credits	6.0 credits
Total	24.0 credits	25.0 credits

* English shall include English Language Arts 1 (1.0 credit) and English Language Arts 2
(1.0 credit).

** Social Studies shall include Modern History of Hawaii (0.5 credit) and Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit).

*** Physical Education shall include required Physical Education (0.5 credit) and a required Physical Education elective (0.5 credit).

A Board of Education Recognition Diploma shall be issued to students who meet the course and credit requirements and attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.

High school diplomas may be granted to 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds who have qualified for graduation through adult schools.

The graduation requirements for students with disabilities shall be determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

B. Commencement Exercises. Commencement exercises may be scheduled any time after the last day of school for seniors. The last day of school for seniors shall be set by the Department of Education. Students shall be permitted to participate in commencement exercises if they: (1) meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate; (2) have fulfilled their financial obligations; and (3) meet other conditions, established by the Department of Education, which meet the standards of clarity, reasonableness, and justifiability.

Former Code No. 5127
Approved: 5/47
Amended: 1/59, 6/59, 6/60, 9/60, 2/64, 8/78, 3/88, 3/97, 6/04