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  2. Diploma Types

Diploma Types

Standard Diploma

 

  • To receive a traditional diploma, students enrolled in a Tennessee public school during their eleventh (11th) grade year shall take either the ACT or SAT test. Exception: Students who are not enrolled in a Tennessee public high school during their junior year are exempt from the ACT requirement per state policy.
  • Per state requirements, all high school students must take and pass a United States civics test as a requirement for graduation.

Special Education Diploma

 

  • Special education students who have not met the requirements for a traditional high school diploma and have satisfactorily completed an individual education plan (IEP) may receive a special education diploma at the end of their fourth (4th) year of high school.  Students eligible for the special education diploma also must have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct.
  • Students who obtain the special education diploma may continue to work toward a regular high school diploma through the end of the school year in which they turn twenty-two (22) years old.

Occupational Diploma

 

  • Special education students who have not met the requirements for a traditional high school diploma, but have satisfactorily completed an individual education plan (IEP), completed the occupational diploma Skills, Knowledge, and Experience Mastery Assessment (SKEMA), and have completed two (2) years of paid or non-paid work experience may be awarded an occupational diploma at the end of the fourth (4th) year of high school. 
  •  The determination that an occupational diploma is the goal for a student with a disability shall be made at the conclusion of the student’s tenth (10th) grade year or two (2) academic years prior to the expected graduation date.  In order to earn an occupational diploma, special education students must meet additional requirements as outlined by state policy.
  • Students who obtain the occupational diploma may continue to work toward a regular high school diploma through the end of the school year in which they turn twenty-two (22) years old.

Alternate Academic Diploma

 

  • An alternate academic diploma may be awarded at the end of the fourth (4th) year of high school to students with disabilities who have:
    • participated in the high school alternate assessments;
    • earned the prescribed twenty-two- (22) credit minimum, either through the state-approved standards or through alternate academic diploma modified course requirements approved by the State Board;
    • received special education services and supports and made satisfactory progress on an individualized education program
    • satisfactory records of attendance and conduct
    • completed a transition assessment(s) that measures, at a minimum, preparedness for postsecondary education and training, employment, independent living, and community involvement.
  • Students who obtain the alternate academic diploma shall continue to be eligible for special education services under IDEA until he or she receives a traditional high school diploma or through the school year in which the student turns twenty-two (22)

Graduate With Distinction / Recognition

 

STATE HONORS
  • Students who score at or above all of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT may graduate with state honors.

DISTRICT DISTINCTION
  • Students shall be recognized as graduating with district distinction if they have met the graduation requirements, have obtained an overall grade point average of at least a 3.0 or higher, and have earned an industry certification recognized by the Department of Education at the time the student earned it.

STATE DISTINCTION
  • Students may be recognized as graduating with state distinction' by attaining a B average or better and completing at least one of the following:
    • Earn an industry certification recognized by the Department of Education at the time the student earned it;
    • Participate in at least one of the Governor's Schools;
    • Participate in one of the state's ALL State musical organizations;
    • Earn statewide recognition or award at a skill- or knowledge-based state tournament, convention, or competition hosted by a statewide student organization, and/or qualify for national recognition by a national student organization;
    • Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist;
    • Attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT or SAT equivalent
    • Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two advanced placement exams
    • Successfully complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; or
    • Earn twelve (12) or more semester hours of postsecondary credit.

SEAL OF BILITERACY DISTINCTION
  • Students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one (1) or more languages in addition to English along with additional requirements required by High School Policy 2.103 will be recognized with a Seal of Biliteracy.

COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTINCTION
  • Students who complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service per semester and provide appropriate documentation will be recognized during commencement ceremonies by a method to be determined by the school’s principal.

WORK ETHIC DISTINCTION
  • Students who meet the requirements to earn a Work Ethic Distinction and submit a completed application and documentation to the school counselor/designee will be recognized at their graduation ceremony.

TRI-STAR SCHOLAR
  • A student who earns a composite score of nineteen (19) or higher on the ACT, or an equivalent score on the SAT, and earns a capstone industry credential (includes industry certification and a capstone experience within program of study) as promoted by the Department of Education, shall be recognized as a Tennessee Tri-Star Scholar upon graduation from high school.
  • Students who fulfill the requirements of the Tennessee Work Ethic Distinction program will also receive recognition as a Tennessee Tri-Star scholar as identified in Public Chapter 702 TCA 49-6-60.

INDUSTRY 4.0 DIPLOMA DISTINCTION
  • Students interested in pursuing an Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction must provide the counselor or school principal with documentation signed by the student’s parent or legal guardian indicating that the parent or legal guardian is aware of the requirements for the student to obtain the diploma distinction and consenting to the student’s participation. Students must also register with a regional American Job Center (AJC) or other career counseling or community partner, known as a career coach, and enroll in work-based learning  or dual enrollment course for the student’s junior year. Additional requirements that must be met in order to earn the Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction may be acquired through the student’s counselor, principal, or through State of Tennessee Public Chapter 946 TCA 49-6-4, or Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction Overview and Requirements.

Top 10% and Valedictorian Requirements

 

 

     Requirements beginning with entering freshmen 2022-2023
  • DE/AP/Honors English
  •  – minimum of 4 credits 
  • Mathematics - Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, and one credit of Pre Calculus or Statistics or above
  • Science – 4 units: The following courses will fulfill the additional fourth credit requirement for science that is in addition to the 3 units needed to meet the state graduation requirement:  Honors Biology II, Honors Chemistry II, Honors Physics, Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology, AP/DE 
  • DE/AP/Honors Social Studies - minimum of 1 credit
  • May not waive fine arts or foreign language requirements
  • Only one DE/AP/Honors course may be repeated for an alternate grade
  • Must meet Ready Graduate requirements
  • GPA must fall within the top 10% of graduating class

Students must meet the above requirements to qualify for Top 10% and Valedictorian Status. 

 

 

 

Applicable for graduating Class of 2024, 2025, and previous years
  • DE/AP/Honors English
  •  – minimum of 4 credits 
  • Mathematics - Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, and one credit of Pre Calculus or Statistics or above
  • Science – 4 units: The following courses will fulfill the additional fourth credit requirement for science that is in addition to the 3 units needed to meet the state graduation requirement:  Honors Biology II, Honors Chemistry II, Honors Physics, Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology, AP/DE 
  • DE/AP/Honors Social Studies - minimum of 1 credit
  • May not waive fine arts or foreign language requirements
  • Only one DE/AP/Honors course may be repeated for an alternate grade
  • Must meet Ready Graduate requirements
  • GPA must fall within the top 10% of graduating class

Students must meet the above requirements to qualify for Top 10% and Valedictorian Status.