2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 10 - Education and Culture › Chapter 170 - Boards of Education › Section 10-221a. - *(See end of section for amended version of subsection (i) and effective date.) High school graduation requirements. Student support and remedial services. Excusal from physical education requirement. Diplomas for certain veterans and certain persons assisting in the war effort during World War II. Student success plans. Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy.

(a) For classes graduating from 1988 to 2003, inclusive, no local or regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty credits, not fewer than four of which shall be in English, not fewer than three in mathematics, not fewer than three in social studies, not fewer than two in science, not fewer than one in the arts or vocational education and not fewer than one in physical education.
(b) For classes graduating from 2004 to 2022, inclusive, no local or regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty credits, not fewer than four of which shall be in English, not fewer than three in mathematics, not fewer than three in social studies, including at least a one-half credit course on civics and American government, not fewer than two in science, not fewer than one in the arts or vocational education and not fewer than one in physical education.
(c) Commencing with classes graduating in 2023, and for each graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty-five credits, including not fewer than: (1) Nine credits in the humanities, including civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; (3) one credit in physical education and wellness; (4) one credit in health and safety education, as described in section 10-16b; (5) one credit in world languages, subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of this section; and (6) a one credit mastery-based diploma assessment.
(d) Commencing with classes graduating in 2023, and for each graduating class thereafter, local and regional boards of education shall provide adequate student support and remedial services for students beginning in grade seven. Such student support and remedial services shall provide alternate means for a student to complete any of the high school graduation requirements described in subsection (c) of this section, if such student is unable to satisfactorily complete any of the required courses or exams. Such student support and remedial services shall include, but not be limited to, (1) allowing students to retake courses in summer school or through an on-line course; (2) allowing students to enroll in a class offered at a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, as defined in section 10a-1, pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (g) of this section; (3) allowing students who received a failing score, as determined by the Commissioner of Education, on an end of the school year exam to take an alternate form of the exam; and (4) allowing those students whose individualized education programs state that such students are eligible for an alternate assessment to demonstrate competency on any of the five core courses through success on such alternate assessment.
(e) Any student who presents a certificate from a physician or advanced practice registered nurse stating that, in the opinion of the physician or advanced practice registered nurse, participation in physical education is medically contraindicated because of the physical condition of such student, shall be excused from the physical education requirement, provided the credit for physical education may be fulfilled by an elective.
(f) Determination of eligible credits shall be at the discretion of the local or regional board of education, provided the primary focus of the curriculum of eligible credits corresponds directly to the subject matter of the specified course requirements. The local or regional board of education may permit a student to graduate during a period of expulsion pursuant to section 10-233d, if the board determines the student has satisfactorily completed the necessary credits pursuant to this section. The requirements of this section shall apply to any student requiring special education pursuant to section 10-76a, except when the planning and placement team for such student determines the requirement not to be appropriate. For purposes of this section, a credit shall consist of not less than the equivalent of a forty-minute class period for each school day of a school year except for a credit or part of a credit toward high school graduation earned (1) at an institution accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited, (2) through on-line coursework that is in accordance with a policy adopted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, or (3) through a demonstration of mastery based on competency and performance standards, in accordance with guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education.
(g) Only courses taken in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, and that are in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content standards, adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-4, shall satisfy the graduation requirements set forth in this section, except that a local or regional board of education may grant a student credit (1) toward meeting the high school graduation requirements upon the successful demonstration of mastery of the subject matter content described in this section achieved through educational experiences and opportunities that provide flexible and multiple pathways to learning, including cross-curricular graduation requirements, career and technical education, virtual learning, work-based learning, service learning, dual enrollment and early college, courses taken in middle school, internships and student-designed independent studies, provided such demonstration of mastery is in accordance with such state-wide subject matter content standards; (2) toward meeting a specified course requirement upon the successful completion in grade seven or eight of any course, the primary focus of which corresponds directly to the subject matter of a specified course requirement in grades nine to twelve, inclusive; (3) toward meeting the high school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of a world language course (A) in grade six, seven or eight, (B) through on-line coursework, or (C) offered privately through a nonprofit provider, provided such student achieves a passing grade on an examination prescribed, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of Education and such credits do not exceed four; (4) toward meeting the high school graduation requirement upon achievement of a passing grade on a subject area proficiency examination identified and approved, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of Education, regardless of the number of hours the student spent in a public school classroom learning such subject matter; (5) toward meeting the high school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of coursework during the school year or summer months at an institution accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited. One three-credit semester course, or its equivalent, at such an institution shall equal one-half credit for purposes of this section; or (6) toward meeting the high school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of on-line coursework, provided the local or regional board of education has adopted a policy in accordance with this subdivision for the granting of credit for on-line coursework. Such a policy shall ensure, at a minimum, that (A) the workload required by the on-line course is equivalent to that of a similar course taught in a traditional classroom setting, (B) the content is rigorous and aligned with curriculum guidelines approved by the State Board of Education, where appropriate, (C) the course engages students and has interactive components, which may include, but are not limited to, required interactions between students and their teachers, participation in on-line demonstrations, discussion boards or virtual labs, (D) the program of instruction for such on-line coursework is planned, ongoing and systematic, and (E) the courses are (i) taught by teachers who are certified in the state or another state and have received training on teaching in an on-line environment, or (ii) offered by institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited.
(h) A local or regional board of education may offer one-half credit in community service which, if satisfactorily completed, shall qualify for high school graduation credit pursuant to this section, provided such community service is supervised by a certified school administrator or teacher and consists of not less than fifty hours of actual service that may be performed at times when school is not regularly in session and not less than ten hours of related classroom instruction. For purposes of this section, community service does not include partisan political activities. The State Board of Education shall assist local and regional boards of education in meeting the requirements of this section. The State Board of Education shall award a community service recognition award to any student who satisfactorily completes fifty hours or more of community service in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
*(i) (1) A local or regional board of education may award a diploma to a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, which veteran or person served during World War II or the Korean hostilities, as described in section 51-49h, or during the Vietnam Era, as defined in section 27-103, withdrew from high school prior to graduation in order to serve in the armed forces of the United States and did not receive a diploma as a consequence of such service.
(2) A local or regional board of education may award a diploma to any person who (A) withdrew from high school prior to graduation to work in a job that assisted the war effort during World War II, December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946, inclusive, (B) did not receive a diploma as a consequence of such work, and (C) has been a resident of the state for at least fifty consecutive years.
(j) For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall create a student success plan for each student enrolled in a public school, beginning in grade six. Such student success plan shall include a student's career and academic choices in grades six to twelve, inclusive. Beginning in grade six, such student success plan shall provide evidence of career exploration in each grade including, but not limited to, careers in manufacturing. The Department of Education shall revise and issue to local and regional boards of education guidance regarding changes to such student success plans. On and after July 1, 2020, in creating such student success plans, consideration shall be given to career and academic choices in computer science, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. On and after July 1, 2021, such student success plans shall be created, if possible, in collaboration with each student and the parent or guardian of such student. On and after July 1, 2022, such student success plans shall, to the extent it does not conflict with the career choices of the student or such student's parent or guardian, include an academic plan that is in compliance with the challenging curriculum policy adopted by the local or regional board of education pursuant to section 10-221x.
(k) Commencing with classes graduating in 2018, and for each graduating class thereafter, a local or regional board of education may affix the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy, as described in subsection (f) of section 10-5, to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved a high level of proficiency in English and one or more foreign languages, as defined in said subsection (f). The local or regional board of education shall include on such student's transcript a designation that the student received the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy.
(P.A. 83-282; P.A. 84-297, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-96, S. 1, 2; 85-613, S. 120, 154; P.A. 86-333, S. 12, 32; P.A. 88-136, S. 11, 37; P.A. 93-111, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-182, S. 8, 11; P.A. 96-26, S. 3, 4; P.A. 00-124, S. 1, 2; 00-156; 00-187, S. 69, 75; P.A. 08-138, S. 1; P.A. 10-111, S. 16; P.A. 11-17, S. 1; 11-28, S. 14; 11-48, S. 285; 11-135, S. 1, 2; P.A. 12-156, S. 10; 12-173, S. 8; 12-197, S. 22; P.A. 13-57, S. 1; 13-108, S. 1; 13-118, S. 14; 13-122, S. 17; 13-247, S. 189; P.A. 15-237, S. 1; P.A. 17-29, S. 2; 17-42, S. 1; P.A. 18-47, S. 7; P.A. 19-58, S. 3; 19-128, S. 11; P.A. 21-79, S. 8; P.A. 21-144, S. 10; P.A. 21-199, S. 4.)
*Note: On and after October 1, 2022, subsection (i) of this section, as amended by section 5 of public act 21-174, is to read as follows:
“(i) (1) A local or regional board of education may award a diploma to a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, or a person with a qualifying condition, as defined in said section, who has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from active service in the armed forces, which veteran or person served during World War II or the Korean hostilities, as described in section 51-49h, or during the Vietnam Era, as defined in section 27-103, withdrew from high school prior to graduation in order to serve in the armed forces of the United States and did not receive a diploma as a consequence of such service.
(2) A local or regional board of education may award a diploma to any person who (A) withdrew from high school prior to graduation to work in a job that assisted the war effort during World War II, December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946, inclusive, (B) did not receive a diploma as a consequence of such work, and (C) has been a resident of the state for at least fifty consecutive years.
(3) (A) A local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction a student would otherwise be attending school if such student were not educated under the oversight of the education unit of the Department of Children and Families established pursuant to section 17a-3b, shall award a diploma to any such student seventeen years of age or older who satisfactorily completes the minimum credits required pursuant to this section for students graduating in the year in which such diploma is awarded.
(B) If no such local or regional board of education can be identified, the Department of Children and Families shall determine whether a student educated under the oversight of the education unit of the department who is seventeen years of age or older has satisfactorily completed the minimum credits required pursuant to this section for students graduating in the year in which a diploma is sought by such student and the department shall award a diploma to any such student who has met such requirement.”
(P.A. 83-282; P.A. 84-297, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-96, S. 1, 2; 85-613, S. 120, 154; P.A. 86-333, S. 12, 32; P.A. 88-136, S. 11, 37; P.A. 93-111, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-182, S. 8, 11; P.A. 96-26, S. 3, 4; P.A. 00-124, S. 1, 2; 00-156; 00-187, S. 69, 75; P.A. 08-138, S. 1; P.A. 10-111, S. 16; P.A. 11-17, S. 1; 11-28, S. 14; 11-48, S. 285; 11-135, S. 1, 2; P.A. 12-156, S. 10; 12-173, S. 8; 12-197, S. 22; P.A. 13-57, S. 1; 13-108, S. 1; 13-118, S. 14; 13-122, S. 17; 13-247, S. 189; P.A. 15-237, S. 1; P.A. 17-29, S. 2; 17-42, S. 1; P.A. 18-47, S. 7; P.A. 19-58, S. 3; 19-128, S. 11; P.A. 21-79, S. 8; 21-144, S. 10; 21-174, S. 5; 21-199, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 84-297 amended Subsec. (a) to establish a state-wide twenty credit requirement for graduation effective for classes graduating in 1988 and thereafter; to state the minimum number of credits to be earned in English, mathematics, social studies, science, the arts or vocational education and physical education and to allow the local or regional board of education to determine what is an eligible credit for purposes of fulfilling the requirement; P.A. 85-96 amended Subsec. (a) to permit an exception to the course requirement for graduation, allowing local or regional boards to grant a student credit toward a specified course requirement upon the successful completion in grade seven or eight of any course, the primary focus of which corresponds directly to the subject matter of a specified course requirement in grades nine to twelve, but specifying that students must complete at least twenty credits in grades nine to twelve, notwithstanding the grant of such credit; P.A. 85-613 made technical change; P.A. 86-333 made provision in Subsec. (a) for credit for coursework earned at institutions of higher education to satisfy high school graduation requirements; P.A. 88-136 deleted obsolete provisions in Subsec. (a) re students graduating in 1987; P.A. 93-111 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions on community service, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-182 deleted former Subsec. (b) concerning report to the General Assembly on graduation requirements, effective June 28, 1995; P.A. 96-26 added provision allowing expelled students to graduate if they have completed the necessary credits and deleted provision requiring that twenty credits toward graduation be completed in grades nine through twelve, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 00-124 added new provision, designated as Subsec. (g), re diplomas for veterans of World War II, effective May 29, 2000; P.A. 00-156, effective October 1, 2000, and 00-187, effective July 1, 2000, both divided the existing section into Subsecs., adding new provisions as Subsec. (b) to require that classes graduating in 2004 and thereafter have at least one-half credit in civics and American government; P.A. 08-138 amended Subsec. (e) by adding new Subdiv. (2) re world language course and Subdiv. (3) re subject area approved by commissioner and redesignating existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (4), effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 10-111 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Commencing with classes graduating in 2004, and for each graduating class thereafter” with “For classes graduating from 2004 to 2017, inclusive”, added new Subsec. (c) re graduation requirements beginning with classes graduating in 2018, added new Subsec. (d) re student support and remedial services, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (g) as Subsecs. (e) to (i), amended redesignated Subsec. (f) by adding provision re on-line coursework, amended redesignated Subsec. (g) by adding “the successful”, by adding Subparas. (A) and (B) and designating existing provision re nonprofit provider as Subpara. (C) in Subdiv. (2), by adding Subdiv. (5) re on-line coursework and by adding Subdiv. (6) re board examination series, and added Subsec. (j) re collection of student information, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-17 amended Subsec. (i) by adding provision re Korean hostilities and making a conforming change, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-28 made a technical change in Subsec. (j), effective June 3, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-48, “Department of Higher Education” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Board of Regents for Higher Education” in Subsecs. (f) and (g), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-135 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “2017” with “2019”, amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) by replacing “2018” with “2020” and amended Subsec. (j) by adding language re student success plan and making conforming changes, effective July 8, 2011; P.A. 12-156 amended Subsecs. (f) and (g) by adding references to State Board of Education re accreditation, effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 12-173 amended Subsec. (d)(4) by replacing “individualized education plans” with “individualized education programs”, effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 12-197 amended Subsec. (e) by adding provision allowing certification by an advanced practice registered nurse; P.A. 13-57 amended Subsec. (i) to allow the awarding of diplomas for veterans of the Vietnam Era, effective June 3, 2013; P.A. 13-108 amended Subsec. (f) by adding Subdiv. (3) re demonstration of mastery based on competency and performance standards, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-118 amended Subsecs. (f) and (g) to replace “State Board of Education” with “Office of Higher Education”, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-122 amended Subsec. (i) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and amending same by replacing “left” with “withdrew from” and adding Subdiv. (2) re diplomas for persons assisting in the war effort during World War II, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-247 amended Subsec. (g) by making a technical change and replacing “board examination series” with “academic advancement program” in Subdiv. (6), effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-237 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “2019” with “2020”, amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) by replacing “2020” with “2021”, amended Subsec. (g) by making a technical change and, in Subdiv. (4), by adding “during the school year or summer months”, amended Subsec. (h) by adding provision re community service recognition award, and amended Subsec. (i) by adding “subsection (a) of” re references to Sec. 27-103, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 17-29 added Subsec. (k) re Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 17-42 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “2020” with “2022”, amended Subsec. (c) by replacing provisions re graduation requirements with provisions re same, amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “2021” with “2023” and deleting “or end of the school year examinations”, and amended Subsec. (g) by adding provision re state-wide subject matter content standards, adding new Subdiv. (1) re successful demonstration of mastery of subject matter content and redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) to (6) as Subdivs. (2) to (7), effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-47 amended Subsec. (i)(1) to add provision re person with qualifying condition and discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable and to make technical changes; P.A. 19-58 amended Subsec. (j) to add provisions re student success plan to provide evidence of career exploration in each grade and department to revise and issue guidance to boards of education re changes to student success plans, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 19-128 amended Subsec. (j) by adding provision re on and after July 1, 2020 consideration to be given to career and academic choices in computer science, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (i) by deleting reference to person with qualifying condition; P.A. 21-144 amended Subsec. (g) by deleting former Subdiv. (7) re successful completion of academic advancement program and making a conforming change, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 21-174 amended Subsec. (i) by adding Subdiv. (3) re a student under oversight of education unit of Department of Children and Families, effective October 1, 2022; P.A. 21-199 amended Subsec. (j) by adding provisions re student success plans created in collaboration with each student and parent or guardian and including academic plan in compliance with challenging curriculum policy, effective July 1, 2021.