Graduation Requirements Policy 3460

Purpose

ENCSD is committed to ensuring that all students, including those who are deaf or heard of hearing, have equitable access to a rigorous and meaningful high school education that prepares them for postsecondary opportunities.  This policy establishes graduation requirements in accordance with the North Carolina State Board of Education, and all applicable federal and state laws.

I. Graduation Requirements

To receive a North Carolina high school diploma from ENCSD, students must:

• Satisfy the minimum state-mandated course and credit requirements in effect for their ninth-grade cohort, as set by the State Board of Education (16 NCAC 06D .0503; G.S. § 115C-83.31; NCDPI).
• Earn a minimum of 22 course credits in the Future-Ready Core or an approved course of study.
• Complete all additional state and ENCSD-specific requirements.

Future-Ready Core State Requirements for Students Entering Ninth Grade for the First Time Between 2021-2022 and 2025-2026

* Students seeking to complete minimum course requirements for UNC universities must complete four mathematics courses, including a fourth math course with math 3 as a pre-requisite.

** Students who are learning disabled in math may have other options for meeting the four mathematics credits requirement.

NC DPI Math Chart

*** This course must, at a minimum, include the standards established by the second edition of the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and the 2013 National Standards for Financial Literacy, as developed by the Council for Economics Education.

† Students entering grade 9 for the first time in the 2025-2026 school year must complete at least one arts education course in grades 6-12 that satisfies the standard course of study for that course, unless exempt due to transfer status.

Future-Ready Core State Requirements for Students Entering Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2026-2027

* Students seeking to complete minimum course requirements for UNC universities must complete four mathematics courses, including a fourth math course with math 3 as a pre-requisite.

** Students who are learning disabled in math may have other options for meeting the four mathematics credits requirement.

NC DPI Math Chart

*** This course must, at a minimum, include the standards established by the second edition of the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and the 2013 National Standards for Financial Literacy, as developed by the Council for Economics Education.

† Students who are exempt from this requirement due to a disability or because they enrolled in NC public school after completion of grade 11 must earn one additional credit.

^ Students must complete at least one arts education course in grades 6-12 that satisfies the standard course of study for that course, unless exempt due to transfer status.

Future-Ready Occupational Course of Study Credits Required for Students Entering Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2021-2022 (only available to certain students with disabilities who have an IEP)

*The work hours included in Employment Preparation I, II, III, IV are as follows:

1. 150 hours of school-based training with work activities and experiences that align with the student’s post-school goals
2. 225 hours of community-based training 
3. 225 hours of paid employment or 225 hours of unpaid vocational training, unpaid internship, paid employment at community rehabilitation facilities, and voluntary and/or community services hours, for a total of 600 required work hours.

Future-Ready Core State Requirements for Students Entering Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2026-2027 (only available to certain students with disabilities who have an IEP)

* The work hours (total work hours 600) included in Employment Preparation I, II, III, IV shall be as follows:

1. 150 hours of school-based training work with activities and experiences that align with student’s post school goals, and
2. 225 hours of community-based training, and
3. 225 hours of paid employment or 225 hours of unpaid vocational training, unpaid internship, paid employment at community rehabilitation facilities, and volunteer and/or community service hours.

Special provision: Students with disabilities, as defined in G.S. § 115C-106.3, may participate in graduation exercises and receive a Graduation Certificate, if all the graduation requirements of the Occupational Course of Study, with the exception of 225 hours of paid employment, have been met.  Upon the documented completion of the 225 hours of paid employment, the student may request the exchange of the Graduation Certificate for a high school diploma, if the student satisfied the requirements before or during the school year in which the student turns age 22, commensurate with the student’s eligibility for a free, appropriate, public education defined by G.S. § 115C-107.1.

II. Graduation options for Students with Disabilities

• Standard Diploma
  • Students with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, may earn a standard diploma by meeting the Future-Ready Core requirements with appropriate accommodations and modifications as determined by their IEP.
• Occupational Course of Study
  • For qualifying students with disabilities, the IEP team may recommend OCS track, which includes a modified curriculum with a vocational focus and work-based learning requirements.
  • OCS students must meet all state-mandated OCS requirements and participate in work experiences as outlined in their IEP.
• Extended Content Standards/Certificate of Graduation
  • Students following the Extended Content Standards receive a Certificate of Graduation and may participate in graduation ceremonies.

III. Accessibility and ASL Accommodations

• All instruction, counseling, graduation planning, and ceremonies must be fully accessible in ASL and other preferred communication modes, with interpreters, captioning, and visual supports provided as needed.
• Graduation requirements, policies, and communications will be provided to students and families in accessible formats, including ASL and written translation upon request.
• ASL accommodations apply to all coursework, assessments, and graduation-related events.

IV. Individualization and IEP Considerations

• The IEP team determines the most appropriate graduation pathway for each student, ensuring all required accommodations and modifications are documented and implemented in accordance with IDEA and Section 504 (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. § 794).
• The IEP may exempt a student from certain state requirements if the student’s disability prevents mastery, as permitted by law (G.S. § 115C-83.31(b)).
• Graduation planning is part of the transition services in the IEP, with regular review and family engagement.

V. Special Circumstances

• Students entering from non-public or out-of-state schools will have their transcripts reviewed to determine credit equivalency.
• Foreign exchange or visiting students not seeking a diploma may receive a certificate of participation.
• Homebound or hospitalized students must be provided access to the required curriculum and graduation pathway in accordance with their IEP.
• Students with interrupted education due to extenuating circumstances may be considered for credit recovery, alternative scheduling, or other interventions to support on-time graduation.

VI. Early Graduation and Transcript Notation

• Students may apply for early graduation (three-year completion) if they are at least 16 years old and meet all state minimum graduation requirements, with parental consent if under 18 (G.S. § 115C-83.31(c)).
• Early graduation is noted on the student's official transcript.

VII. Compliance and Legal References

This policy is governed by and references the following:

• North Carolina General Statutes:
  • G.S. § 115C-83.31 (Graduation Requirements)
  • G.S. § 115C-81.25(c)(10) (Founding Principles Requirement)
  • G.S. § 115C-81.45(d)(1) (CPR Requirement)
• North Carolina Administrative Code:
  • 16 NCAC 06D .0503 (Future-Ready Core Requirements)
  • 16 NCAC 06D .0506 (OCS Requirements)
• State Board of Education & NCDPI Graduation Guidelines
• Federal Requirements:
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
• ENCSD Programs and Graduation Framework

This policy shall be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices for serving deaf and hard of hearing students.