Student Requirements for Graduation
Rhode Island has chosen to address the critical challenges facing high school with an ambitious and sweeping set of changes to its system for awarding diplomas. The previous system, which rewarded seat time, has been replaced with a progressive assessment system that requires graduates to have a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy as well as demonstrated proficiency in six core disciplines and a variety of real-world skill settings. Beginning with the class of 2008, Rhode Island high school graduates must successfully complete:
- A minimum of 20 Carnegie units – or 20 year-long courses – in core academic areas;
- A school-wide diploma assessment (exhibitions, Certificate of Initial Mastery, and graduation portfolios) that provides students opportunities to demonstrate knowledge and skill in an area of specialized interest;
- New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) assessments in English, Math, and Science;
- Classroom assignments, such as on demand and extended tasks, projects, end-of-course assessments (50% must be performance-based), and other local assessments.
Students are expected to demonstrate their proficiency (through a variety of measures) in six core academic areas:
| English Language Arts (ELA) | Science |
| Mathematics | Technology |
| Social Studies | The Arts |
In addition, students must demonstrate the application of knowledge through the following applied learning skills:
| Critical thinking | Decision Making |
| Problem Solving | Interpreting Information |
| Research | Analytic Reasoning |
| Communication | Personal or Social Responsibility |
Finally, students must demonstrate deep content knowledge and advanced proficiency in an "Area of Specialized Interest". This area should be identified by the student and provide the student with an opportunity to do extended work in an area of great interest. The "Area of Specialized Interest" is intended to infuse personal relevance – and thus, personal investment – into students' high school experience.