House Bill 487 has updated Ohio's graduation requirements to ensure all students are ready for success in college and work. As a result of these changes, the class of 2017 (this year's 10th graders) will be the last class to take the current Ohio Graduation Tests. The new requirements (listed below) take effect with the class of 2018 (this year's 9th graders). Additionally, every student in the class of 2018 or later will have the opportunity to take a nationally-recognized college admission exam free of charge in the 11th grade.
Unchanged Graduation Requirements:
English Language Arts - 4 Units
Health - 1/2 Unit
Mathematics - 4 Units (which must include 1 unit of Algebra II or the equivalent)
Physical Education - 1/2 Unit
Science - 3 Units (which must include 1 unit of physical sciences, 1 unit of life sciences, and 1 unit of advanced study, such as physics, chemistry, advanced biology, etc.)
Social Studies - 3 Units (which must include 1/2 unit of American History and 1/2 unit of American Government)
Electives - 5 Units
Other Requirements:
Economics and Financial Literacy
Fine Arts
New Graduation Requirements (Beginning with the Class of 2018):
All students must take end of course exams, including:
Algebra I
Geometry
Physical Science
American History
American Government
English I
English II
Students will earn 1-5 points on these exams. In order to graduate, students must earn a total of 18 points across the seven exams.
In addition to earning 18 points across the seven exams, students must earn 4 points on Mathematics exams, 4 points on English Language Arts exams, and 6 points on Science/Social Studies Exams.
For more information, you can visit the Ohio Department of Education website by clicking here.