Academic Expectations
South Carolina High School Diploma Requirements
In order to receive a SC state high school diploma, the student must attend the high school issuing the diploma for at least the semester immediately preceding graduation, except in the case of a bona fide change of residence to a location where the sending school will not grant the diploma. (State Regulation 43-259)
|
Subject |
Diploma Requirements |
|
English/Language Arts |
4 Units |
|
Mathematics |
4 Units |
|
Science* |
3 Units |
|
United States History & Constitution |
1 Unit |
|
Economics |
.5 Unit |
|
United States Government |
.5 Unit |
|
Other Social Studies Elective |
1 Unit |
|
Physical Education or Junior ROTC |
1 Unit |
|
Computer Science** |
1 Unit |
|
Foreign Language*** OR Career & Technology Education |
1 Unit |
|
TOTAL UNITS |
17 UNITS |
|
Electives: **** Must include Comprehensive Health |
7 Units |
|
TOTAL UNITS
|
24 Units
|
*All students must take End-of-Course Examinations in order to meet graduation requirements set by the State Board of Education in the following courses: English 1, Algebra 1 (or Intermediate Algebra), Biology 1 and US History.
** All students must earn one unit of credit in computer science. A unit of credit applied towards the computer science requirement may not be used to meet the math requirements or the Career and Technology Education requirements.
***The student in a College Prep program must earn one unit in a world language. Many colleges and the SC Department of Education recommend that students earn 2-3 units of the same world language. If a student does not plan to enter college, then one unit in career and technology education beyond the computer science unit must be earned.
****A unit of study which meets the Comprehensive Health Requirements must be included in a course completed by the student prior to graduation.
OCCUPATIONAL TRACK
South Carolina has roughly 100,00 students with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), of which the majority are able to earn a State High school diploma. Given the varying levels of student achievement, some students are unable to complete this required high school coursework. As a result, there is a need to provide an alternative option for students with disabilities to demonstrate their ability to transition into the work community.
The uniform, state-recognized SC High School Credential will be aligned to a newly created course of study for these students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines this course of study is appropriate.
Required Courses to Earn the Credential
|
ELA (including English I w/ EOC) |
4 units |
|
Math (including Algebra I w/ EOC) |
4 units |
|
Science (including Biology w/ EOC) |
2 units |
|
Social Studies |
2 units |
|
Employability Education |
4 units |
|
PE/Health |
1 unit |
|
Technology |
1 unit |
|
Electives |
6 units |
|
Total |
24 units |
CAREER READINESS
By grade 12, a student may demonstrate “Career Readiness” in one or more of the following indicators:
- WIN National Career Readiness Certificate of Silver, Gold, or Platinum;
- ASVAB score of 31 or higher;
- Completion of a South Carolina approved work-based learning experience with a successful employer exit evaluation; or
- Completion of a Career and Technical Education (CATE) program pathway with a state or nationally-recognized industry credential, or completion of a state credential when no national credential is available, that leads to living wage as certified recommended by business and industry representatives in South Carolina and that is approved by the Education and Economic Development Coordinating Council Department of Commerce, Department of Employment and Workforce, South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce, and State Superintendent of Education.
WORK BASED LEARNING
Work-based learning (WBL) is a school-coordinated, sponsored, coherent sequence of workplace experiences that are related to students’ career goals and/or interests, are based on instructional preparation, and are performed in partnership with local businesses, industries, or other organizations in the community. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world business or service- oriented work environment.
CAREER READY
Students are career ready if:
- 40 experience hours are completed
- 120 experience hours are completed to provide one unit of elective credit
REQUIREMENTS
- Students must be 16 years old
- Student must meet CTE WBL Handbook criteria
- Student can use an existing job related to their career path
- Student can participate with a DJA business partner
- Student must have a SC ID card
- Student must have a Social Security card
GRADE CLASSIFICATION
Grade 9
In order to be classified as a ninth grade student, the individual must have met the requirements and be promoted from the 8th grade.
Grade 10
In order to be classified as a tenth grade student, the individual must have completed six (6) units to include:
- One unit in English 1
- One unit in mathematics
Grade 11
In order to be classified as an eleventh grade student, the individual must have completed twelve (12) units to include:
- One unit in English 1
- One unit in English 2
- Two units in mathematics
- One unit in science
Grade 12
In order to be classified as a twelfth grade student, the individual must have completed eighteen (18) units to include*:
- One unit in English 1
- One unit in English 2
- One unit in English 3
- Three units in mathematics
- Two units in science
In addition, the student must be enrolled in all other units (required and elective) needed to complete graduation requirements.
*When, based on the student’s schedule, it is anticipated that a student will complete graduation requirements by the end of the school year, the student may be placed in a senior homeroom at the beginning of the first semester even if all of the units listed above are not completed.
Grading
The Uniform Grading Policy utilizes the numeric grade as the basis for grade point averages throughout their high school careers. This system is as follows:
|
Number Grade |
Letter Grade |
Grade Point Average |
|
90-100 |
A |
4.0 |
|
80-89 |
B |
3.0 |
|
70-79 |
C |
2.0 |
|
60-69 |
D |
1.0 |
|
Below 60 |
F |
0.0 |
Any parent who has questions or concerns about their child’s performance should contact the teacher. If concerns continue, please contact our Guidance Department.
Exams
Exams constitute 20% of a course’s final grade, and will be given at the conclusion of each particular course. No more than two exams may be administered in any one school day. EOC exams are typically given two weeks before the conclusion of each semester. Students in Grades 9–12 take cumulative, standard based, end of course examinations. When applicable, schools administer State End of Course tests required by the S.C. Educational Accountability Act. No student may exempt a State End of Course Exam. Cumulative examinations have a computational weight of 20 percent of the final average.
Seniors are exempt from a course final exam if they have an overall average of 90 or higher and the course is for full regular credit. Seniors who have at least a 90 average may opt to take a final exam in that course to improve their grade. For these students, their final grade may be raised, but not lowered, by their final exam grade. Those seniors who do not have an overall average of 90 or higher will take exams as scheduled. Exemptions may not be given for partial credit, AP or dual credit courses. Students in grades 9‐11 will take exams in all classes as scheduled.
Academic Dishonesty
When a student becomes involved in cheating or plagiarism on assigned work, or engages in any behavior that could invalidate test results, the teacher will give the student an “F” on that work. The teacher will not provide an opportunity for the student to make up such work, nor will the student be given additional assignments to improve their grade in that particular subject. Students who improperly receive or provide help will be charged with cheating. The teacher will notify parents of such students and provide documentation of the incident.
Credit Recovery
Students who have failed or lost credit due to attendance may be eligible to regain credit via an in-school, or after-school credit recovery program. Eligibility will be determined by the final grade received in the course, as well as, recommendations from the students’ teacher.
College Visits
DJA juniors and seniors are permitted two college visit days with official documentation. Official college visit forms are available in the Guidance Office or from the college. These forms should be completed, stamped and signed by college officials. Catalogs, brochures, and parent notes are not sufficient to document an official college visit.
Schedule changes
Students are encouraged to consider their course selections carefully during registration. Teacher assignments, course offerings, and class sizes are determined via registration information. Choices of specific teachers will not be honored. Schedules will not be changed to accommodate jobs after school. Dropping a class may adversely affect a student’s eligibility for athletics and other interscholastic competition. At the end of the spring term, students may not request changes for the following school year except:
- When a particular credit is needed for graduation
- When a particular credit has been earned in summer school
- When a student has not passed a prerequisite for a particular course
- When a student has previously failed a subject with a particular teacher (if available)
Homework
Students are likely to have some form of homework each day. The agenda contains space for students to record assignments, activities, homework and tests. There are several reasons for teachers to assign homework regularly and for students to use the agenda. These reasons include but are not limited to:
- To provide extra practice on learned skills
- To provide further learning in areas covered in class
- To provide an opportunity for student to learn good work/study habits
- To provide opportunity for growth in responsibility
- To provide an opportunity to see what your child is studying and how well he/she is doing
DJA believes that learning is important and that learning should continue after school hours. Daily homework should in no way be viewed as punishment, but rather as a way for encouraging and extending the learning. Homework comprises not more than 10% of a course grade.
Special Services
Individual Health Care Plans or Individual Health Plans (IHPs)
Individual health care plans are also called individual health plans or IHPs. School nurses who are registered nurses write IHPs to guide how a student’s health care needs will be met while at school. The nurse works with the student, the student’s parents or legal guardians, the student’s health care provider, and other school staff to write the plan. IHPs are written for students who have special health care needs that must be met by school staff during the school day. IHPs are also written for students who have been approved by the school district to self-medicate or self-monitor. To learn more about IHPs, talk with your child’s school nurse or CCSD Office of Nursing Services at 843-745-2184.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
Section 504 is a federal law that requires public schools to make adjustments so that students with certain disabilities can learn and participate in settings like other students who do not have disabilities. To be eligible for services under Section 504, a student must have a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A team decides if a student is eligible. The team should include the student’s parent or legal guardian, the student (if able), and others who know the student or know about the student’s disability, such as a teacher, a guidance counselor, a school nurse, and other school staff. If the student is eligible, the team develops an individual accommodation plan. The individual accommodation plan explains how the student’s needs will be met while at school and may include health services for the student during the school day if needed. To learn more about Section 504, contact your child’s school or the CCSD 504 Coordinator at 843-937-6500.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Students, ages 3 through 21 years, may receive services under the IDEA if the student needs special education and related services to benefit from his or her educational program. A team decides if a student qualifies for services under the IDEA. The team includes the student’s parent or legal guardian, teachers, and other school staff. The team develops an individualized education program (IEP) if the student meets federal and state requirements. The IEP outlines a plan for helping the student receive a free appropriate public education and meet goals set by the team. The IEP may include health services for the student during the school day if needed. Contact the Department of Exceptional Children Services at 843-937-6500 to learn more about IDEA.