Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 28 - EDUCATION
Part LXXIX - Bulletin 741 (Nonpublic)-Louisiana Handbook for Nonpublic School Administrators
Chapter 21 - Curriculum and Instruction
Subchapter C - Secondary Schools
Section LXXIX-2109 - High School Graduation Requirements

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code LXXIX-2109

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. For incoming freshmen in 2009-2010 and beyond, the 24 units required for graduation shall include 16 required units and 8 elective units for the Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum, or 21 required units and 3 elective units for the Louisiana Core 4 Curriculum.

B. For incoming freshmen in the 2014-2015 through 2023-2024 school years who are completing the TOPS university diploma, the minimum course requirements will be the following:

1. English-four units:
a. one of the following:
i. English I;

ii. English language (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE;

b. one of the following:
i. English II;

ii. English language (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE;

c. one of the following:
i. English III;

ii. AP English language arts and composition;

iii. IB literature;

iv. IB language and literature;

v. IB literature and performance;

vi. English language (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

vii. literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

NOTE: If a student chooses to take the A level Cambridge course, the second unit will count as an elective credit.

d. one of the following:
i. English IV;

ii. AP English literature and composition;

iii. IB literature;

iv. IB language and literature;

v. IB literature and performance;

vi. English language (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

vii. literature in English (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

NOTE: If a student chooses to take the A level Cambridge course, the second unit will count as an elective credit.

2. mathematics-four units:
a. algebra I;

b. geometry;

c. algebra II;

NOTE: Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for the Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II sequence.

d. one of the following:
i. algebra III;

ii. advanced math-functions and statistics;

iii. advanced math-pre-calculus;

iv. pre-calculus;

v. IB math studies (math methods);

vi. calculus;

vii. AP calculus AB;

viii. IB mathematics SL;

ix. AP calculus BC;

x. AP statistics;

xi. IB further mathematics HL;

xii. IB mathematics HL;

xiii. probability and statistics; or

xiv. AP computer science A;

xv. additional math: Cambridge IGCSE;

xvi. math 1 (probability and statistics): Cambridge AICE (honors);

xvii. math 1 (pure math): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xviii. math 2 (part 1): Cambridge AICE-A level (honors); or

xix. math 2 (part 2): Cambridge AICE-A level (honors);

3. science-four units:
a. biology I;

b. chemistry I;

c. two units from the following:
i. earth science;

ii. one of:
(a). environmental science;

(b). environmental awareness;

iii. one of:
(a). physical science;

(b). principles of engineering;

(c). PLTW principles of engineering;

iv. agriscience II-the elective course agriscience I is a pre-requisite;

v. one of:
(a). chemistry II;

(b). AP chemistry;

(c). IB chemistry I;

(d). IB chemistry II;

(e). chemistry II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

vi. one of:
(a). AP environmental science;

(b). IB environmental systems;

vii. one of:
(a). physics I;

(b). IB physics I;

(c). AP physics I;

(d). physics I: Cambridge IGCSE; or

(e). physics II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

viii. one of:
(a). AP physics C: electricity and magnetism;

(b). AP physics C: mechanics;

(c). IB physics II;

(d). AP physics II;

ix. one of:
(a). biology II;

(b). AP biology;

(c). IB biology I;

(d). IB biology II;

(e). biology II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

(f). human anatomy and physiology;

4. social studies-four units:
a. one unit chosen from:
i. U.S. history;

ii. AP U.S. history;

iii. IB history of the Americas I;

b. one unit chosen from:
i. civics with a section on free enterprise;

ii. government;

iii. AP U.S. government and politics: comparative; or

iv. AP U.S. government and politics: United States;

c. two units chosen from:
i. one of:
(a). European history;

(b). AP European history;

(c). western civilization; or

(d). history (European): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

ii. one of:
(a). world geography;

(b). AP human geography;

(c). IB geography;

(d). physical geography; or

(e). geography: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

iii. one of:
(a). world history;

(b). AP world history;

(c). IB history of the Americas II; or

(d). history (international): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

iv. IB economics;

v. economics;

vi. AP macroeconomics;

vii. AP microeconomics;

viii. economics: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

ix. history of religion;

x. AP psychology;

xi. African American history;

xii. dual enrollment psychology.

5. foreign language-two units:
a. two units from the same language (§2317);

6. art-one unit from the following:
a. art (§2305);

b. music (§2325);

c. dance (§2309);

d. theatre (§2337);

e. speech III and IV-one unit combined;

f. fine arts survey;

g. drafting;

h. media arts (§2324);

i. photography I/II;

j. digital photography;

7. physical education-1 1/2 units in accordance with §2319.A of this Part;

8. health education-1/2 unit;

9. electives-3 units;

10. total-24 units.

C. For incoming freshmen in the 2014-2015 through 2022-2023 school years who are completing the career diploma, the minimum course requirements will be the following:

a. English-4 units:
i. one of the following:
(a). English I;

(b). English language (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE; or

(c). English literature (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE;

ii. one of the following:
(a). English II;

(b). English language (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE; or

(c). English literature (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE;

iii. the remaining units will come from the following:
(a). technical reading and writing;

(b). business English;

(c). English III;

(d). English language (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(e) . literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(f). English IV;

(g). English language (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(h). literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(i). any AP or IB English course; or

(j). comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by BESE;

b. mathematics-4 units:
i. algebra I, applied algebra I, or algebra I-Pt. 2 (the elective course algebra I-Pt. 1 is a pre-requisite);

ii. the remaining units will come from the following:
(a). geometry or applied geometry;

(b). technical math;

(c). medical math;

(d). applications in statistics and probability;

(e). financial math;

(f). math essentials;

(g). algebra II;

(h). advanced math-pre-calculus;

(i). discrete mathematics;

(j). probability and statistics;

(k). additional math-Cambridge IGCSE;

(l). math 1 (pure math): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(m). comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams, as approved by BESE;

(n). integrated mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for algebra I, geometry, and algebra II and will count as three math credits;

c. science-2 units:
i. 1 unit of biology;

ii. 1 unit from the following physical science cluster:
(a). physical science;

(b). integrated science;

(c). chemistry I;

(d). ChemCom;

(e). physics I;

(f). physics I: Cambridge IGCSE;

(g). physics of technology I;

iii. 1 unit from the following courses:
(a). food science;

(b). forensic science;

(c). allied health science;

(d). basic body structure and function;

(e). basic physics with applications;

(f). aerospace science;

(g). earth science;

(h). agriscience II;

(i). physics of technology II;

(j). environmental science;

(k). anatomy and physiology;

(l). animal science;

(m). biotechnology in agriculture;

(n). environmental studies in agriculture;

(o). health science II;

(p). EMT-basic;

(q). biology II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(r). chemistry II: AICE-AS (honors);

(s) . physics II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

(t). principles of engineering;

(u). PLTW principles of engineering;

(v). (LSU partnership) principles of engineering;

(w). an additional course from the physical science cluster; or

(x). course(s) developed by the LEA and approved by BESE;

iv. students may not take both integrated science and physical science;

v. agriscience I is a prerequisite for agriscience II and is an elective course;

d. social studies-2 units:
i. 1 of the following:
(a). U.S. history;

(b). AP U.S. history;

(c). IB history of the Americas I;

ii. civics; or
(a). 1/2 unit of:
(i). government; or

(ii). AP U.S. government and politics: comparative; or

(iii). AP U.S. government and politics: US; and

(b). 1/2 unit of:
(i). economics; or

(ii). AP macroeconomics; or

(iii). AP microeconomics;

e. health and physical education-2 units;

f. at least nine credits in an approved Jump Start course sequence, workplace experience or credentials;

g. total-23 units.

D. For incoming freshmen in the 2023-2024 school year who are completing the career diploma, the minimum course requirements will be the following:

1. English-four units.
a. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English I;

ii. English language (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE.

b. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English II;

ii. English language (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE.

c. Two units chosen from the following:
i. technical reading and writing;

ii. business English;

iii. English III;

iv. English language (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

v. literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

vi. English IV;

vii. English language (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

viii. literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

ix. any AP or IB English course; or

x. comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by BESE.

2. Mathematics-four units.
a. Algebra I, Applied Algebra I, or Algebra I-Pt. 2 (the elective course Algebra I-Pt. 1 is a pre-requisite); and

b. geometry or applied geometry

c. Two units chosen from the following:
i. technical math;

ii. medical math;

iii. applications in statistics and probability;

iv. math essentials;

v. Algebra II;

vi. advanced math-pre-calculus;

vii. discrete mathematics;

viii. probability and statistics;

ix. additional math-Cambridge IGCSE;

x. Math 1 (pure math): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xi. financial literacy; or

xii. comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams, as approved by BESE.

xiii. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II and will count as three math credits.

3. Science-two units.
a. Biology.

b. One unit chosen from the following:
i. physical science;

ii. integrated science;

iii. Chemistry I;

iv. ChemCom;

v. Physics I;

vi. Physics I: Cambridge IGCSE; or

vii. Physics of Technology I.

c. One unit chosen from the following:
i. food science;

ii. forensic science;

iii. allied health science;

iv. basic body structure and function;

v. basic physics with applications;

vi. aerospace science;

vii. earth science;

viii. Agriscience II;

ix. Physics of Technology II;

x. environmental science;

xi. anatomy and physiology;

xii. animal science;

xiii. biotechnology in agriculture;

xiv. environmental studies in agriculture;

xv. Health Science II;

xvi. EMT-basic;

xvii. Biology II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xviii. Chemistry II: AICE-AS (honors);

xix. Physics II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xx. principles of engineering;

xxi. PLTW principles of engineering;

xxii. (LSU partnership) principles of engineering;

xxiii. an additional course from the physical science cluster; or

xxiv. course(s) developed by the LEA and approved by BESE.

d. Students may not take both integrated science and physical science.

e. Agriscience I is a prerequisite for Agriscience II and is an elective course.

4. Social Studies-two units.
a. One unit chosen from the following:
i. U.S. history;
ii. AP U.S. history; or

iii. IB history of the Americas I.

b. Civics; or
i. 1/2 unit of:
(a). government;

(b). AP U.S. government and politics: comparative; or

(c). AP U.S. government and politics: US; and

ii. 1/2 unit of:
(a). economics;

(b). AP macroeconomics; or

(c). AP microeconomics.

5. Physical Education-1 1/2 units chosen from the following:
a. Physical Education I and II;

b. Adapted Physical Education I and II for eligible special education students;

c. JROTC I, II, III, and IV; or

d. Physical Education I (1 unit) and 1/2 unit of marching band, extracurricular sports, cheerleading, or dance team.

6. Health Education-1/2 unit.
a. JROTC I and II may be substituted for 1/2 unit of health education

7. A minimum of nine credits in an approved Jump Start course sequence, workplace experience, or credentials.

8. Total-23 units.

E. For incoming freshmen in the 2024-2025 school year and beyond who are completing the TOPS university diploma, the minimum course requirements will be the following:

1. English-four units.
a. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English I;

ii. English language (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE.

b. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English II;

ii. English language (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE.

c. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English III;

ii. AP English language arts and composition;

iii. IB literature;

iv. IB language and literature;

v. IB literature and performance;

vi. English language (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

vii. literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors).

viii. If a student chooses to take the A level Cambridge course, the second unit will count as an elective credit.

d. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English IV;

ii. AP English literature and composition;

iii. IB literature;

iv. IB language and literature;

v. IB literature and performance;

vi. English language (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

vii. literature in English (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors).

viii. If a student chooses to take the A level Cambridge course, the second unit will count as an elective credit.

2. Mathematics-four units.
a. Algebra I;

b. geometry; and

c. Algebra II.

d. One unit chosen from the following:
i. Algebra III;

ii. advanced math-functions and statistics;

iii. advanced math-pre-calculus;

iv. pre-calculus;

v. IB math studies (math methods);

vi. calculus;

vii. AP calculus AB;

viii. IB mathematics SL;

ix. AP calculus BC;

x. AP statistics;

xi. IB further mathematics HL;

xii. IB mathematics HL;

xiii. probability and statistics;

xiv. AP computer science A;

xv. additional math: Cambridge IGCSE;

xvi. Math 1 (probability and statistics): Cambridge AICE (honors);

xvii. Math 1 (pure math): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xviii. Math 2 (part 1): Cambridge AICE-A level (honors); or

xix. Math 2 (part 2): Cambridge AICE-A level (honors).

e. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for the Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II sequence.

3. Science-four units.
a. Biology I; and

b. Chemistry I.

c. Two units chosen from the following:
i. earth science;

ii. one of:
(a). environmental science; or

(b). environmental awareness;

iii. one of:
(a). physical science;

(b). principles of engineering; or

(c). PLTW principles of engineering;

iv. Agriscience II-the elective course Agriscience I is a pre-requisite;

v. one of:
(a). Chemistry II;

(b). AP chemistry;

(c). IB Chemistry I;

(d). IB Chemistry II; or

(e). Chemistry II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

vi. one of:
(a). AP environmental science; or

(b). IB environmental systems;

vii. one of:
(a). Physics I;

(b). IB Physics I;

(c). AP Physics I;

(d). Physics I: Cambridge IGCSE; or

(e). Physics II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

viii. one of:
(a). AP physics C: electricity and magnetism;

(b). AP physics C: mechanics;

(c). IB Physics II; or

(d). AP Physics II;

ix. one of:
(a). Biology II;

(b). AP biology;

(c). IB Biology I;

(d). IB Biology II;

(e). Biology II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

(f). human anatomy and physiology.

4. Social Studies-four units.
a. One unit chosen from the following:
i. U.S. history;

ii. AP U.S. history; or

iii. IB History of the Americas I.

b. One unit chosen from the following:
i. civics with a section on free enterprise;

ii. government;

iii. AP U.S. government and politics: comparative; or

iv. AP U.S. government and politics: United States.

c. Two units chosen from the following:
i. one of:
(a). European history;

(b). AP European history;

(c). western civilization; or

(d). history (European): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

ii. one of:
(a). world geography;

(b). AP human geography;

(c). IB geography;

(d). physical geography; or

(e). geography: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

iii. one of:
(a). world history;

(b). AP world history;

(c). IB history of the Americas II; or

(d). history (international): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

iv. IB economics;

v. economics;

vi. AP macroeconomics;

vii. AP microeconomics;

viii. economics: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

ix. history of religion;

x. AP psychology;

xi. African American history; or

xii. dual enrollment psychology.

5. Foreign Language-two units from the same language (§2317).

6. Art-one unit chosen from the following:
a. art (§2305);

b. music (§2325);

c. dance (§2309);

d. theater (§2337);

e. Speech III and IV-one unit combined;

f. fine arts survey;

g. drafting;

h. media arts (§2324);

i. Photography I and II; or

j. digital photography.

7. Physical Education-1 1/2 units chosen from the following:
a. Physical Education I and II;

b. Adapted Physical Education I and II for eligible special education students;

c. JROTC I, II, III, and IV; or

d. Physical Education I (1 unit) and 1/2 unit of marching band, extracurricular sports, cheerleading, or dance team.

8. Health Education-1/2 unit.
a. JROTC I and II may be substituted for 1/2 unit of health education.

9. Financial Literacy-one unit.

10. Electives-two units.

11. Total-24 units.

F. For incoming freshmen in 2024-2025 and beyond who are completing a career diploma, the minimum course requirements will be the following:

1. English-four units.
a. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English I;

ii. English language (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 1): Cambridge IGCSE.

b. One unit chosen from the following:
i. English II;

ii. English language (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE; or

iii. English literature (part 2): Cambridge IGCSE.

c. Two units chosen from the following:
i. technical reading and writing;

ii. business English;

iii. English III;

iv. English language (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

v. literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

vi. English IV;

vii. English language (part 2): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

viii. literature in English (part 1): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

ix. any AP or IB English course; or

x. comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by BESE.

2. Mathematics-four units.
a. Algebra I, Applied Algebra I, or Algebra I-Pt. 2 (the elective course Algebra I-Pt. 1 is a pre-requisite);

b. geometry or applied geometry; and

c. financial literacy.

d. One unit chosen from the following:
i. technical math;

ii. medical math;

iii. applications in statistics and probability;

iv. math essentials;

v. Algebra II;

vi. advanced math-pre-calculus;

vii. discrete mathematics;

viii. probability and statistics;

ix. additional math-Cambridge IGCSE;

x. Math 1 (pure math): Cambridge AICE-AS (honors); or

xi. comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams, as approved by BESE.

xii. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II and will count as three math credits.

3. Science-two units.
a. Biology.

b. One unit chosen from the following:
i. physical science;

ii. integrated science;

iii. Chemistry I;

iv. ChemCom;

v. Physics I;

vi. Physics I: Cambridge IGCSE; or

vii. Physics of Technology I.

c. One unit chosen from the following:
i. food science;

ii. forensic science;

iii. allied health science;

iv. basic body structure and function;

v. basic physics with applications;

vi. aerospace science;

vii. earth science;

viii. Agriscience II;

ix. Physics of Technology II;

x. environmental science;

xi. anatomy and physiology;

xii. animal science;

xiii. biotechnology in agriculture;

xiv. environmental studies in agriculture;

xv. Health Science II;

xvi. EMT-basic;

xvii. Biology II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xviii. Chemistry II: AICE-AS (honors);

xix. Physics II: Cambridge AICE-AS (honors);

xx. principles of engineering;

xxi. PLTW principles of engineering;

xxii. (LSU partnership) principles of engineering;

xxiii. an additional course from the physical science cluster; or

xxiv. course(s) developed by the LEA and approved by BESE.

d. Students may not take both integrated science and physical science.

e. Agriscience I is a prerequisite for Agriscience II and is an elective course.

4. Social Studies-two units.
a. One unit chosen from the following:
i. U.S. history;

ii. AP U.S. history; or

iii. IB history of the Americas I.

b. Civics; or
i. 1/2 unit of:
(a). government;

(b). AP U.S. government and politics: comparative; or

(c). AP U.S. government and politics: US; and

ii. 1/2 unit of:
(a). economics;

(b). AP macroeconomics; or

(c). AP microeconomics.

5. Physical Education-1 1/2 units chosen from the following:
a. Physical Education I and II;

b. Adapted Physical Education I and II for eligible special education students;

c. JROTC I, II, III, and IV; or

d. Physical Education I (1 unit) and 1/2 unit of marching band, extracurricular sports, cheerleading, or dance team.

6. Health Education-1/2 unit.
a. JROTC I and II may be substituted for 1/2 unit of health education.

7. A minimum of nine credits in an approved Jump Start course sequence, workplace experience, or credentials.

8. Total-23 units.

G. State Seal of Biliteracy

1. Schools are encouraged but not required to participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy program.
a. If a school opts to participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy program, its governing authority shall maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have earned the seal and affix the seal to the transcript and diploma of each student who earns the seal.

2. The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies that a student meets all of the following criteria:
a. Completed all English language arts requirements for graduation;

b. Passed the reading and English parts of the ACT series with a score of 19 or above; and

c. Demonstrated proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the methods below.
i. Pass a world language advanced placement examination with a score of three or higher or a world language international baccalaureate examination with a score of four or higher. For languages in which an advanced placement test is not available, school systems may use an equivalent summative test as approved by the state superintendent of education.

ii. Successfully complete a four-year high school course of study in a world language or successfully complete seven Carnegie units or more in language or content courses in a world language immersion setting.

iii. Pass a foreign government approved language examination and receive a receipt of a certificate of competency from the authorizing government agency at:
(a). the European B2 level;

(b). American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Advanced Low level; or

(c). equivalent measures.

3. If the primary language of a student in grades 9 through 12 is other than English, the student shall do both of the following to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy:
a. Attain the early advanced proficiency level on the BESE-approved assessment of English language proficiency administered to identify English Learner progress; and

b. Meet the requirements of Paragraph 2 of this Subsection.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6(A)(10), (11), and (15), 17:7(6), 17:10, 17:22(6), 17:391.1-391.10, and 44:411.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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