STUDENTS

Your future starts now.

Life after high school is closer than you think. Whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, you should be thinking about your future and how to get there.

Rhode Island's new high school diploma system is a student-centered pathway to help you on your journey. The system is meant to help you become the best student you can be by connecting your education to your own interests and to life outside of school. Its goal is to make sure that when you graduate from high school, you are capable of competing at your top performance, whether you enter college or the world of work.

Of course, planning for your future isn't something you do by yourself. It's a team effort. One member of your team is your school counselor. Counselors are there to help you, and they have lots of resources and information to offer about the new diploma program.

So, what does the new diploma system ask of you?
To earn your high school diploma, you must:

• demonstrate proficiency in six core areas by applying skills and knowledge at a rigorous level. The six areas are English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and technology.
• successfully complete two of the four following performance-based diploma assessments: exhibition, comprehensive course assessments, graduation portfolio, and certificate of initial mastery. Each assessment is designed around your own interests or passions. (This varies depending on the school district; see your high school's website to see what is required of you.)
• successfully complete a minimum of 20 courses, including four years of English, four years of mathematics (the fourth year may be a mathematics-related course), three years of science, and three years of history or social studies.
• participate in statewide assessments, which are based on the New England Common Assessment Program.
• attain a score of "partially proficient" or better on the English and mathematics assessments (beginning with the Class of 2012). Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency by retaking the state tests, passing other tests, or submitting other evidence of proficiency.

Schools must develop an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that assists in the students' development of career, academic, and social goals. The ILP requires parent participation.

This new system is not meant to make graduation harder. It is meant to help you reach your full potential. Knowledge is power, and we want you to leave high school with as much power as possible.