1. Graduation Requirements
Duval County Public Schools
Fall 2017

2. What Are Your Options? Certificate of Completion
“A student who earns the required 24 credits, or the required 18 credits under s.  (5), but fails to pass the assessments required under s.  (3) or achieve a 2.0 GPA shall be awarded a certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.
Standard High School Diploma
A student who earns the required 24 credits, or the required 18 credits under s.  (5), and passes the assessments required under s.  (3) and achieves a 2.0 GPA shall be awarded a standard high school diploma.

3. A Certificate of Completion is NOT a High School Diploma.
Students earning a College Placement Test eligible Certificate of Completion (W8A or W8C) may be admitted to a state/community college, with limitations.
Limitations on program opportunities
Ineligible to receive financial aid
Limitations on career opportunities that require a high school diploma for licensure or certification
Ineligible to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces
Limitations to entry level workforce requiring a high school diploma as a minimum job qualifier.

4. High School Diploma: What Does It Get Me?
Eligible to apply to post secondary institutions, state/community college or universities (based on admission criteria).
Eligible to apply for and receive financial aid, including federal and state grants, scholarships and loans. This includes the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and aid connected to the FAFSA.
Eligible to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Eligible to enter entry level work force opportunities requiring a high school diploma.
High School Diploma: What Does It Get Me?

5. Credit Requirements to Earn a Standard High School Diploma
24 credit Standard Diploma Option
4 English
4 math (including Alg 1, Geometry)
3 science (including Biology)
3 social studies
(World History, American History, Economics, Government)
2 World Language
1 HOPE
1 Performing Art
6 Electives
* Note: one course must be completed online
18 credit ACCEL Diploma Option
4 English
4 math (including Alg 1, Geometry)
3 science (including Biology)
3 social studies
(World History, American History, Economics, Government)
1 Performing Art
3 Electives

6. Assessment Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma
State Reading Assessment
Entry Year – 2014/2015
Grade 10 FSA ELA – Scale Score – 350
State Math Assessment
Entry year – 2014/2015
FSA Algebra 1 – Scale Score 497 if EOC taken after January 2016; 489 if EOC taken prior to January 2016
2.0 unweighted Grade Point Average

7. 2nd Chance!!! Concordant and Comparative Scores
READING
MATH
ACT
ACT - 19
N/A
SAT
SAT – 440 or 24
PERT 97
Students can earn a Concordant or Comparative Score for the require State Assessments in Reading and Math.
Reading - ACT or SAT
Math – PERT
Note: Concordant and Comparative Scores for students entering high school in entry year have not been released by the Florida Department of Education at this time.

8. As a Reminder…
A Certificate of Completion is NOT a high school diploma. It does not grant you access to opportunities available to students who complete high school with a Standard High School Diploma.

9. Why should you earn your high school diploma? A Financial Impact!
U.S Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,

10. Alliance for Excellent Education
Money In the Bank
What is the economic benefit to Jacksonville if all students graduated on time and increased the overall
graduation rate???
Alliance for Excellent Education

11. Board Policy on Certificate of Completion Participation in Commencement
A student receiving a W8A (24 credit) or W8C (18 credit) College Placement Test (CPT)-Eligible Certificates of Completion is eligible to participate in commencement if he/she has completed the following requirements:
a. Participation in all FCAT Reading or other required state reading assessment administrations and Algebra 1 EOC administrations, if applicable, that they were eligible for and
b. Made at least one attempt to earn a Concordant score on the ACT and/or SAT to meet the Reading graduation test requirement; and
c. Made at least one attempt on the PERT to meet the Comparative score for the Algebra 1 graduation test requirement. The FCAT/Algebra 1 EOC attempts requirement may be waived by the school principal if there were extenuating circumstances that kept the student from participating in the assessments.
Students receiving a WO8 (24 credit) or W8B (18 credit) Certificates of Completion are not eligible to participate in commencement, but may participate in a subsequent ceremony, within the following year, after completing their diploma requirements.
Students receiving a W09 Special Certificate of Completion are eligible to participate in commencement.

12. A Certificate of Completion is NOT a high school diploma.
Participating in Commencement Ceremonies DOES NOT make you a high school graduate.
While there is no observable difference between students receiving a High School Diploma and a Certificate of Completion, please remember that Certificate of Completions are not graduates and therefore not granted the same rights and opportunities as students receiving a Standard High School Diploma.

13. What Can You Do? Get Involved Take Advantage of Test Prep
Schedule a conference with your School Counselor to review graduation status.
Schedule a conference with the teachers of courses in which your might need additional assistance.
Reading Coursework Support
BOOT CAMPS focuses on ACT/SAT/PERT

14. Khan Academy FREE Test Prep for the SAT
Individualized to your strengths and weaknesses
Upload PSAT/SAT results
Take a diagnostic practice exam
Practice Anytime, Anywhere, For Free

15. Every School. Every Classroom. Every Student. Every Day.
Questions?
Every School. Every Classroom. Every Student. Every Day.