Rule 3301-16-02 | Establishing criteria for awarding the diploma with honors.
(A) For the purposes of this rule, "advanced science" refers to courses in the Ohio curriculum as defined in division (C)(5)(c) of section 3313.603 of the Revised Code, an AP/IB science course, or a college credit plus science course.
(B) Each school district shall award the diploma with honors to any student who is determined to be eligible in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) Successfully completes the high school curriculum or the individualized education program developed for the student by the high school or demonstrates technical expertise in a career-technical education program;
(2) Has satisfied the assessment requirements referenced in division (A)(2)(a)(i) or (A)(2)(b) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code; and
(3) Meets the criteria for honors as provided in this rule.
(C) No school district shall require students to apply for or declare intention to qualify for the diploma with honors.
(D) Upon initial receipt of this rule after its adoption, and each school year thereafter, each school district shall notify all high school students and their parents of the adoption of this rule and of the criteria required for earning the diplomas provided by this rule.
(E) The school district shall not add to, nor delete from, the criteria provided in paragraphs (I) to (Q) of this rule.
(F) The provisions of paragraph (E) of this rule shall not be interpreted to prohibit a school district from recognizing academic excellence in additional ways that the local district board of education deems appropriate.
(G) Each school district that enrolls students in a joint vocational school shall involve the joint vocational district in the development of any policy, guidelines, or procedures adopted pursuant to this rule. Each joint vocational school district shall provide at least annually to the appropriate home district information regarding the status with respect to this rule of each student who is enrolled at the vocational school.
(H) The diploma awarded in accordance with this rule shall be in such form as the district board of education prescribes; bear the date of its issue; and contain the signatures of the president and treasurer of the district board of education, the superintendent of schools, and the principal of the high school.
(I) To be awarded a diploma with honors, the student shall be required to meet at least all but one of the criteria for the specified type of honors diploma. A student shall not be required to meet more than the specified number of criteria, nor shall any student be required to meet any one specified criterion.
(1) Any student who receives high school credit for a course in accordance with the provisions of former Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code (postsecondary enrollment options) or current Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code (college credit plus) or in accordance with the provisions of division (G) of section 3313.603 of the Revised Code (credit for advanced work below ninth grade), shall receive credit for the course toward the requirements of this rule provided the course is related to a subject area listed in the criteria for the honors diploma.
(2) Students entering the ninth grade between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2022 may choose to pursue the honors diploma by meeting the requirements of the former rule or by meeting the requirements set forth herein.
(3) Students entering the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2022 must meet all of the requirements set forth in this rule to receive an honors diploma.
(J) The following are part of the criteria for any honors diploma for any student.
(1) An overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale maintained up to the last grading period of the senior year;
(2) A composite score of twenty-seven on the 2016 ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing test) or a combined score of twelve hundred eighty on the 2016 SAT math and evidence-based reading and writing sections, or an equivalent score on future ACT or SAT assessments. A table aligning new ACT and SAT assessment scores with old assessment scores is available on the department of education's website at education.ohio.gov;
(3) At least four units of mathematics which include algebra I, geometry, algebra II (or its equivalent), and one other higher level course, or a four course sequence that contains equivalent or higher content;
(4) With the exception of the career technical honors diploma, either three units of one world language or no less than two units of each of two world languages studied. The criteria under this paragraph for the career technical honors diploma is two units of world language; and
(5) Completion of experiential learning, including one of the following:
(a) Completion of a field experience documented by a portfolio of work;
(b) Attainment of the OhioMeansJobs- readiness seal in accordance with section 3313.6112 of the Revised Code; or
(c) Completion of work-based learning.
(K) To earn any honors diploma, except as specified in paragraph (K)(6) of this paragraph, a student may use one of the following demonstrations instead of the criteria set forth in paragraph (J)(1), (J)(2), or (J)(4) of this rule:
(1) Earn twelve college credits through the college credit plus program;
(2) Complete three advanced placement courses with a score of three or higher on the corresponding advanced placement assessments;
(3) Earn twelve articulated college credits through career-technical articulation guides (CTAGs);
(4) Accomplish one of the following:
(a) Complete an apprenticeship registered with the Ohio state apprenticeship council;
(b) Complete a pre-apprenticeship program recognized by the Ohio state apprenticeship council; or
(c) Submit evidence of acceptance into an apprenticeship program of the program requires applicants to be eighteen or older to enroll.
(5) Earn a score of fifty or higher on the armed services vocational aptitude battery (ASVAB);
(6) Complete two hundred fifty hours or more of work-based learning; or
(7) Earn a score of six or higher on all three sections of the WorkKeys assessment. A student seeking the career-technical honors diploma may not use this demonstration as a substitute for the criteria specified in paragraph (J)(1) or (J)(2) of this rule.
(L) The following are additional criteria for the academic honors diploma:
(1) At least four units of science including two units of advanced science;
(2) Four units of social studies; and
(3) Earn two diploma seals, other than the honors diploma seal, in accordance with the requirements of section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code and in addition to the two seals required for graduation under section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code.
(M) A student seeking the international baccalaureate honors diploma shall complete all requirements established by the international baccalaureate organization for the international baccalaureate diploma programme. The following are additional criteria for the international baccalaureate honors diploma:
(1) Four units of science including two units of advanced science;
(2) Four units of social studies;
(3) Earn the seal of biliteracy in accordance with the requirements of section 3313.6111 of the Revised Code.
(N) The following are additional criteria for a student who completes the career technical honors diploma:
(1) Four units in a career-technical education program that leads to an industry recognized credential, results in an apprenticeship, or is part of an articulated career pathway which can lead to post-secondary credit.
(2) Achieve the proficiency benchmark established for the Ohio career-technical competency assessment available at webxam.org (additional content available at education.ohio.gov) or an equivalent assessment aligned with state-approved and industry validated technical standards;
(3) Earn either the industry-recognized credential seal or the technology seal, in accordance with the requirements of section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code; and
(4) Earn a score of six or higher on all three sections of the WorkKeys assessment.
(O) The following are the additional criteria for the STEM honors diploma:
(1) Four units of science including two units of advanced science.
(2) Two units of electives with a focus in STEM coursework; and
(3) Earn either the industry-recognized credential seal or the technology seal, according to the requirements set forth in section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code.
(P) The following are the additional criteria for the arts honors diploma:
(1) Four units of fine arts;
(2) Two units of electives with a focus in fine arts coursework; and
(3) Earn the fine arts seal according to the requirements set forth in section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code.
(Q) The following are the additional criteria for the social science and civic engagement honors diploma:
(1) Five units of social studies;
(2) Earn the community service seal by meeting requirements set forth in section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code; and
(3) Earn the citizenship seal by meeting the requirements set forth in section 3313.6114 of the Revised Code.
Last updated February 15, 2024 at 1:47 PM
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