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Nominees for Regent Scholar Diplomas due April 1
The
Department of Education reminds high school principals and counselors that
the list of nominees for Regent Scholar Diplomas is due April 1.
Recognizing outstanding high school graduates through presentation of a
Regent Scholar Diploma is an annual activity in South Dakota through a
partnership between
the Department of Education and the South Dakota Board of Regents. The
program recognizes graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated
academic excellence; the Diploma automatically admits the recipient to any
one of South Dakota’s six public universities.
In order to be nominated
for a Regents Diploma, a graduating senior from a South Dakota high school
must have completed all high school courses listed below with no final grade
below a "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and an overall average gradepoint of "B"
(3.0 on a 4.0 scale). The Diploma must be requested by the high school’s
administrator.
The courses required for
a Regents Diploma are:
4 units of English: Courses with major emphasis upon grammar,
composition, or literary analysis; one year of debate instruction may be
included to meet this requirement.
4 units of algebra or higher mathematics:
Algebra, geometry, trigonometry or other advanced mathematics including
accelerated or honors mathematics (algebra) provided at the 8th grade level;
not included are arithmetic, business, consumer or general mathematics or
other similar courses.
4 units of science including 3 units of approved laboratory
science:
Courses in biology, chemistry, or physics in which at least one (1) regular
laboratory period is scheduled each week. Accelerated or honors science
(biology, physics or chemistry) provided in the 8th grade shall be accepted.
Qualifying physical science or earth science courses (with lab) shall be
decided on a case by case basis.
3 units of social studies:
History, economics, sociology, geography, government--including U.S. and
South Dakota, American Problems, etc.
2 units of a modern or classical language (includes American
Sign Language):
The two units
must be in the same language.
1/2 unit of fine arts*:
coursework
in art, theatre or music--appreciation, analysis, or performance.
* Effective
Fall 2005, the requirement will increase to 1 unit of fine arts,
including coursework in art, theatre or music--appreciation, analysis, or
performance.
1/2 unit of computer science:
Students will have basic keyboarding skills and have had experience in using
a personal computer including word-processing, database and spreadsheet
software and in using the Internet or other wide area networks.
To
request the designation of eligible graduating seniors as Regent Scholars,
the high school administrator must submit the high school’s official list of
nominees, including:
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the name of each eligible graduating senior;
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each student’s SIMS ID number;
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and the student’s graduation date.
The information will be printed on the Regent Scholar
diplomas; the diplomas will be sent to the high school administrator for
presentation to the students during graduation ceremonies.
To ensure that the diplomas are received in time for
graduation, requests must be submitted by April 1, 2004, to Deedra Gesinger,
Department of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501, fax
773-6139 or email
deedra.gesinger@state.sd.us. |
