What Are the Standards for High School Graduation in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Department of Education introduced the Tennessee Diploma Project ( TDP) during the 2009 to 2010 school year. The purpose of the Tennessee Diploma Project is to increase current standards and curriculum to better prepare its students for college and the workforce.
Students now need 22 credits to graduate instead of 20 and to complete new assessments. End-of-course tests are given for 10 core courses; such examinations are designed to test student knowledge as well as help plan their education.
End-of-course tests are weighted into the students course average. Beginning in 2011, the end-of-course tests are worth 25 percent of the course grade. Students do not need to pass individual exams as long as they have a passing class average.
Math
Tennessee requires four credits of math, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and a higher level math course, such as Statistics, Pre Calculus or Calculus. Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry are core courses and have an end-of-course test that counts towards the final grade.
Science
Three credits of science are required. Science classes include Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and a third lab course, such as Earth Science or Geology. Biology, Chemistry and Physics all require an end-of-course examination.
English and Social Studies
Four credits of English and three credits of Social Studies are required. Social Studies curriculum includes United States History, World History/World Geography, Economics, and Government. English I, II and III and U.S. History require an end-of-course examination.
Physical Education, Wellness and Personal Finance
Tennessee requires 1.5 credits of Physical Education and Wellness, as well as 0.5 credits of Personal Finance.
Electives
Two credits of Foreign Language are required. One credit of Fine Arts is required, although the requirement may be waived for students not planning on attending a university in lieu of additional elective focus credits.
Three credits of Elective Focus are required. These include Math and Science, Career and Technical Education, Fine Arts, Humanities, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB).
Tags: Social Studies, Algebra Algebra, Algebra Algebra Geometry, Algebra Geometry, Biology Chemistry, Biology Chemistry Physics
