Office of Accreditation & Teacher Quality

At its Nov. 15, 2004, meeting the State Board of Education approved the recommended graduation requirements, but chose to delay implementation of the new standards until 2006. Students graduating in the Spring of 2010 will be the first students affected by the new requirement. The majority of the graduating class of 2010 will be entering the school systems as ninth graders in the fall of 2006. If a student is a ninth grader in the 2005-2006 school year and repeats a grade for any reason, that student will then be graduating in the spring of 2010 or after, and will therefore be held accountable to the new graduation requirements.

Clarification on Recording Failed/Retaken Courses on Transcripts

The Department of Education maintains that if a student retakes a course, the letter grades for both the initial course and the retaken course must be recorded on the transcript, but districts may use local discretion as to how the retaken course is calculated into the students’ overall GPA. For example, if a student fails Art their freshman year, and retakes it as a junior, both course grades must be recorded on the transcript, although the district may choose to only calculate the student’s best attempt at passing Art. Even if a student fails a course and does not retake it, it should still be included on the transcript and figured into the GPA because the transcript should a record of all credits attempted.

The Department truly feels that this is a consistent policy with the Board of Regents, as well, and is an accurate representation of our shared commitment to academic integrity.

Please note the following clarification for those districts offering Algebra to students at the 8^th grade level.

Q: If Algebra I does not appear on a student transcript, can that student still be eligible for graduation and for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship under the Distinguished Pathway?

A: Yes, provided that the student has completed four Board of Regents-approved higher level math courses. For a link to approved courses, please visit the Board of Regents Web site.

Q: If a student takes Algebra I in the 8^th grade, can that course count toward high school graduation?

A: Yes, provided that the school district has a current and approved waiver on file for that course, or any course that is taken for high school credit before grade nine. Transcripted high school credit for that course is contingent on the passage of a State-created or State-approved end of course exam. Waivers must be requested by an administrator, completing a waiver application at the district-level. That waiver application can be found on the Administrative Rule Waiver Web site.

HB 1001, passed by the legislature in 2004, established a new way of looking at high school programs. Currently students entering high school register for courses that at a minimum satisfy the state and local requirements to achieve a high school diploma. Under SDCL 13-3-12.1, students entering high school will register by default for a course of study (Advanced high school program) that is designed to prepare all students for education beyond the high school experience. The idea is to raise expectations for all students to take a rigorous course of study. This is intended to better prepare students for the world of work, higher learning, or other postsecondary options.

However, the law does provide for an option whereby the student may be excused “from taking courses of instruction necessary to complete the recommended high school program (Advanced) if the student’s parents or guardian and a school counselor or school administrator agree that the student should instead take courses of instruction necessary to complete the basic (Standard) high school program…” This option allows a student to take the Standard high school course of study which will achieve a high school diploma, but with lesser requirements. It also implies a conscientious decision on the part of the school and parents to allow for such a course of study.

The paper form that must be completed and signed by the student, parent or guardian, and school counselor or administrator can be downloaded here. The form must be placed in the students’ permanent file.

There is nothing to prevent that student from passing from one course of study to another. If a student would choose to pursue the Advanced course of study as opposed to the Standard, there is no form or other steps to prevent that move from occurring.

Graduation Requirements