6146 - Requirements for Graduation
Policy 6146
Instruction
Requirements for Graduation
Beginning with the Class of 2021, in order to graduate from the Newtown Public Schools, students must earn a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits in (9) areas of the curriculum and demonstrate competency in spoken communication, written communication, critical thinking, and information literacy.
Beginning with the classes graduating in 2023, in order to graduate from Newtown Public Schools, students must earn a minimum of twenty-five (25) credits in seven (7) areas of the curriculum including a one credit mastery-based assessment, Capstone Project.
The Board of Education shall award a high school diploma to any World War II veteran, veteran of the Korean Hostilities, or a Vietnam-era veteran requesting such diploma who left high school for military service as defined in the statutes.
All courses to satisfy local and statutory requirements in Areas I-VI must be earned between the beginning of grade 9 and end of grade 12.
Students classified as ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade must enroll in a minimum of six courses each semester. Twelfth-grade students must enroll in a minimum of five courses each semester. Only students with a minimum of 15 credits will be designated as a Senior.
Students who earn high school credits in the middle school cannot apply them to required units in Areas I-VI.
Students must attend a minimum of six (6) semesters of high school (grades 9-12) to qualify for graduation.
Exception for Transfer Students
If a student transfers into the Newtown Public Schools after completing at least three years in a high school out of state, he/she may be exempted from Newtown’s twenty-four (24) credit requirement for graduation.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-5c Board examination series pilot program. Issuance of certificate (as amended by P.A. 13-247)
10-14n State-wide mastery examination. Conditions for reexamination. Limitation on use of test results. (as amended by Section 115 of PA 14-217)
10-16(l) Graduation exercises. (As amended by P.A. 96-108, An Act Concerning Student Use of Telecommunication Devices and the Establishment of Graduation Dates
10-221a High school graduation requirements. (As amended by P.A. 00-124, An Act Concerning High School Diplomas and Veterans of World War II, P.A. 00-156, An Act Requiring A Civics Course for High School
10-5c Board examination series pilot program. Issuance of certificate (as amended by P.A. 13-247)
10-14n State-wide mastery examination. Conditions for reexamination. Limitation on use of test results. (as amended by Section 115 of PA 14-217)
10-16(l) Graduation exercises. (As amended by P.A. 96-108, An Act Concerning Student Use of Telecommunication Devices and the Establishment of Graduation Dates
10-221a High school graduation requirements. (As amended by P.A. 00-124, An Act Concerning High School Diplomas and Veterans of World War II, P.A. 00-156, An Act Requiring A Civics Course for High School
Legal Reference: Graduation, P.A. 08-138, An Act Concerning High School Credit for Private World Language Courses and Other Subject Areas, P.A. 10-111, An Act Concerning Education Reform in Connecticut, P.A. 11-135, An Act Concerning Implementation Dates for Secondary School Reform, P.A. 13-57, An Act Concerning Honorary Diplomas for Vietnam Veterans, P.A. 13-122, An Act Concerning Minor Revisions to the Education Statutes, P.A. 13-247, Budget Implementer Bill and P.A. 15-237, An Act Concerning High School Graduation and P.A. 16-4(SS), section 310.), PA 17-42, An Act Concerning Revisions to the High School Graduation Requirements and PA 17-29, An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Seal of Biliteracy)
10-233(a) Promotion and graduation policies. (as amended by P.A. 01-166)
P.A. 13-108 An Act Unleashing Innovation in Connecticut Schools.
P.A. 13-247 An Act Implementing Provisions of the State Budget.
P.A. 15-237 An Act Concerning High School Graduation.
P.A. 17-42 An Act Concerning Revisions to the High School Graduation Requirements
P.A. 13-108 An Act Unleashing Innovation in Connecticut Schools.
P.A. 13-247 An Act Implementing Provisions of the State Budget.
P.A. 15-237 An Act Concerning High School Graduation.
P.A. 17-42 An Act Concerning Revisions to the High School Graduation Requirements
Policy adopted: March 5, 2019
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut
Regulation R6164
Credit Distribution Requirements
Beginning with the Class of 2021, in order to graduate from the Newtown Public Schools, the following credits must be earned:
Area I English – 4 credits including English I, English II, and a course that includes American literature
Area II Social Studies – 3 credits including 1 in American Studies or American History, ½ in American Government, ½ in Economics, ½ in Western Studies and ½ in an Area Studies course
Area III Math – 3 credits
Area IV Science – 3 credits
Area V Physical Education – 1 ½ credits
Area VI Fine and Applied Arts – 1 ½ credits, including ½ credit in Personal Financial Literacy
Area VII Electives – 6 credits
Area VIII World Language – 1 credit
Area IX Senior Year Experience21 – 1 credit
Beginning with the classes graduating in 2023, the following credits must be earned:
Area I Humanities- 9 credits including civics and the arts
Area II STEM- 9 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Area III Physical Education and Wellness- 1 credit
Area IV Health and Safety Education- 1 credit
Area V World Language- 1 credit
Area VI Senior Capstone Project – 1 credit
Area VII Electives – 3 credits
Regulation approved: March 5, 2019
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut