Section 31-4 - High School Diploma Requirements (a) Graduation requirements for earning a high school diploma from any high school within any school district of this state shall include successful completion of the following components as evidenced by passing grades or by successful performance on competency-based equivalency examinations: - (i) Coursework, including courses taken for the attainment of a high school diploma, shall include courses that, taken together, signify students are equipped to compete both intellectually and economically in society. Coursework for the attainment of a high school diploma shall be aligned to the state standards in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) and, at a minimum, include the following:
- (A) Four (4) school years of English;
- (B) Three (3) school years of mathematics;
- (C) Three (3) school years of science, one (1) year of which may be a computer science course; and
- (D) Three (3) school years of social studies, including history, American government, and economic systems and institutions, provided business instructors may instruct classes on economic systems and institutions.
- (E) Courses taken before grade nine (9) used to satisfy high school diploma requirements shall be aligned to the state standards in grades nine (9) through twelve (12).
- (F) Courses designated as functional equivalents may be used to satisfy the coursework described in this subsection. The Department may verify appropriate alignment of the functional equivalents to the state standards in grades nine (9) through twelve (12).
- (ii) Satisfactorily passing an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming.
- (iii) Evidence of proficient performance on the district assessment system, which includes all courses taken for the attainment of a high school diploma.
- (A) Proficient performance shall be evidenced by successful completion of courses included in a district's assessment system that are aligned to and inclusive of the state standards as defined in this chapter.
- (B) The district determines successful completion through a district assessment system that meets the criteria outlined in Section 5 of this chapter.
(b) Each local school district shall establish high school diploma requirements that shall be reflected in policy and related documents as appropriate. The district's policy shall include: - (i) A description of the district's definition of course credit for any course which may be taken to satisfy the high school diploma requirements;
- (ii) A description of the process by which successful performance on a competency-based equivalency examination may be used to satisfy coursework, as defined in this chapter;
- (iii) A description of the way in which successful completion of courses taken for graduation will be used as a factor in awarding course credit;
- (iv) A requirement that students demonstrate satisfactory performance on an examination of the principles of the constitution of the United States and the State of Wyoming as required by W.S. 21-9-102;
- (v) An assurance that academic credit toward the district's high school diploma requirements will be awarded for the successful completion of any course offered under a qualifying post-secondary education program specified under W.S. 21-20-201; and
- (vi) A description of any additional requirements that a student must successfully complete at the discretion of the district.
(c) The district shall maintain and publish a list of eligible courses to satisfy the high school diploma requirements, including the minimum graduation requirements established in these rules. All eligible courses shall be aligned to the state standards established for the high school grades and require a logical sequence and the progression of instruction aligned with content and benchmark standards from one school year to the next. This list shall not be required to include post-secondary courses for which academic credit may be awarded.
206-31 Wyo. Code R. § 31-4