Graduation Requirements

281--Iowa Administrative Code 12.3(5) Requirements for Graduation. Each board providing a program through grade 12 shall adopt a policy establishing the requirements students must meet for high school graduation. This policy shall make provision for early graduation and shall be consistent with these requirements, Iowa Code section 280.14, and the requirements in the introductory paragraph of subrule 281--Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(5).

Rule Interpretation from the Chapter 12 Matrix

• Each school or school district must require the following as part of its graduation requirements: 1) one-half unit of United States government, 2) one unit of American History, and 3) student participation in physical education for one-eighth unit in each semester of enrollment in high school.
• Iowa Code section 256.7(26) states that, beginning with the students in the 2010-2011 school year graduating class, the requirements for high school graduation for students in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall include four years of English and language arts, three years of mathematics, three years of science, and three years of social science. Any additional graduation credits or units are locally determined.
• Criteria established for early graduation are locally determined.