Georgia High School Graduation Requirements
The State Board of Education has approved a plan to eliminate the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT). The plan goes into effect on July 1, 2011 and affects incoming ninth grade students as well as currently enrolled high school students. Below you will find information for eighth grade students entering high school, existing high school students, and seniors.
Students promoted from 8th grade to 9th grade for school year 2011-2012.
These students will no longer be required to take the GHSGT to graduate. Graduation will be based on passing all required End-Of-Course-Test (EOCT) courses. The EOCT will be administered as the final exam for each course and will count as 20% of the final grade.
Current EOCT Courses
|
Content Area |
Eight Courses |
|
English/Language Arts |
9th Grade Composition/Literature and American Literature/Composition |
|
Mathematics |
Mathematics I and Mathematics II |
|
Science |
Biology and Physical Science |
|
Social Studies |
U.S. History and Economics |
EXAMPLE: Elizabeth enters high school for the first time in school year 2011-2012. She will be required to pass the eight EOCT courses listed in the box above. In addition, she will also be required to pass the Georgia High School Writing test. This test has not changed.
Students who will be in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in a high school for the school year 2011-2012
These students will now have additional options for meeting graduation requirements. They must pass each portion of the GHSGT or one of the EOCT course tests for each content area listed in the box above.
· EXAMPLE: Beth is currently in the 11th grade. She passed the GHSWT in September and took the GHSGT in March, but failed Math. Beth passed the EOCT for Math with a grade of 70 when she was in 9th grade. The EOCT Math grade can now be used for her meeting graduation requirement.
· EXAMPLE: Jeff is currently in the 10th grade. He has passed the following EOCT tests: Math II, Ninth Grade Composition/ Literature, and Biology.
|
Student |
EOCT English |
EOCT Math |
EOCT Social Studies |
EOCT Science |
GHSGT English |
GHSGT Math |
GHSGT Social Studies |
GHSGT Science |
|
Jeff |
Passed |
Passed |
* |
Passed |
N/A |
N/A |
* |
N/A |
*Jeff must now pass either EOCT U.S. History or EOCT Economics or GHSGT Social Studies and also pass the GHSWT.
Students who are seniors in school year 2010-2011
This new requirement does not impact current 2010-2011 seniors or previous students who have not successfully completed testing requirements.
Questions concerning the new graduation requirements can be addressed by a high school counselor.
More Information:
State Board of Education Approves Plan to Phase Out Graduation Test (GaDOE Website)