**South Carolina**

Recognized Rigorous Secondary School Programs of Study

If otherwise eligible, all students, including private school students,
home-schooled students, students enrolled in Department of Defense
Overseas Schools, and Bureau of Indian Affairs students may qualify for
an ACG under the rigorous secondary school program of study options
pre-recognized by the Secretary. These options include a set of courses
similar to the State Scholars Initiative and the Advanced Placement (AP)
or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores as detailed
below.

The eligibility options for a student graduating from secondary school
in South Carolina from January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 are:

-   ***A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative.***
    This program of study requires passing grades in the following:

    -   Four years of English;

    -   Three years of math (including Algebra I and a higher level
        course such as Algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and
        statistics);

    -   Three years of science, including one year each of at least two
        of the following courses: biology, chemistry, and physics;

    -   Three years of social studies; and

    -   One year of a language other than English.

-   ***Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)
    courses and test scores.*** This program requires a minimum of two
    Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses
    in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those
    classes. Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher
    on IB exams.

-   ***South Carolina Academic Achievement Honors Award.*** This program
    requires:

    -   Four units of English

    -   Four units of math (Algebra I or above)

    -   Three units of laboratory science

    -   Three units of social studies (US/SC history,
        economics/government, one unit of global studies/world history,
        global studies/world geography, or western civilization)

    -   Two units of foreign language

    -   One unit of physical education

    -   Four units in additional electives

    -   Two additional units in English language arts, science, social
        studies, or mathematics

    -   Meet standard on all subtests of the HSAP Exit Examination

    -   Earn a minimum grade of "B" for each semester course throughout
        the seventh semester of grades 9-12 (fall of Senior year)

    -   Achieve either a score of 710 on the SAT Verbal OR a score of
        690 on the SAT Math OR a score of 30 on the English ACT OR a
        score of 33 on the Math ACT

-   ***College Preparatory Course Prerequisite Requirements.*** This
    program requires:

    -   English Language Arts: Four units, at least two units with
        strong grammar and composition components, at least one unit in
        English literature, and at least one unit in American
        literature. College preparatory English 1, 2, 3, and 4 will meet
        this criterion.

    -   Foreign language: Two units of the same foreign language.

    -   Mathematics: Three units including Algebra I (for which Applied
        Mathematics 1 and 2 may count together as a substitute if a
        student successfully completes Algebra 2), Algebra 2, and
        Geometry. A fourth higher-level mathematics course is strongly
        recommended. The fourth course should be selected from among
        Algebra 3/Trigonometry, Pre-calculus, Calculus, Statistics, or
        Discrete Mathematics.

    -   Science: Three units of laboratory science, with two units taken
        in different fields selected from among biology, chemistry, or
        physics. The third unit may be from the same field as one of the
        first two units (biology, chemistry, or physics) or from any
        laboratory science for which biology and/or chemistry is a
        prerequisite. Courses in earth science, general physical
        science, or introductory or general environmental science for
        which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite will not
        meet this requirement.

    -   Social Studies: Three units, with one in U.S. History; a half
        unit of economics, and a half unit in government strongly
        recommended.

    -   One unit in physical education or Junior ROTC.

    -   Electives: Four units from at least three different fields
        selected from among computer science, English language arts,
        fine arts, foreign languages, humanities, laboratory science
        (excluding earth science, general physical science, general
        environmental science, or other introductory science courses for
        which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite),
        mathematics above the level of Algebra 2, and social sciences.
        It is recommended that one unit be in computer science, which
        includes programming and one unit in fine arts.

-   ***High Schools That Work Award of Educational Achievement.***
    Students must complete the HSTW-recommended curriculum in at least
    two of the three subject areas; complete a concentration in a
    career/technical field, mathematics/science, or the humanities; and
    meet all three of the performance goals on the HSTW assessment.

    -   The recommended curriculum consists of:

        -   English: Four credits in college-preparatory level courses

        -   Math: Four credits in college-preparatory level courses,
            including Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II and a higher level
            mathematics course such as trigonometry, statistics,
            pre-calculus, calculus, or Advanced Placement mathematics.

        -   Science: Three or more credits in science, including at
            least two credits in college-preparatory biology, chemistry,
            anatomy/physiology or physics/applied physics.

    -   The concentrations consist of:

        -   Career/Technical: Four or more credits in a coherent
            sequence in a career/technical field or major.

        -   Mathematics/Science: Four college-preparatory courses each
            in mathematics and science. At least one higher level course
            in either mathematics or science must be at the Advanced
            Placement level.

        -   Humanities: Four college-preparatory courses each in
            English/language arts and social studies and four courses in
            an area of the humanities, such as foreign language, fine
            arts or additional English and social studies courses. At
            least one course in either English or social studies must be
            at the Advanced Placement level.

    -   Performance Goals:

        -   The performance goals on the HSTW assessment are a 279 in
            reading, a 297 in mathematics, and a 299 in science on a
            scale of 0-500.

-   ***South Carolina Dual Enrollment Program*.** This program requires
    the following:

    -   The student must [not]{.underline} be admitted as a "regular
        student" to the institution of higher education;

    -   The student must take at least two college-level, dual-credit
        courses or six college-level credits;

    -   The courses and credits must be in core content areas (English,
        mathematics, science, or social studies); and

    -   The student must earn at least a "B" in each class.