2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 389 - Academics and Textbooks › NRS 389.018 - Designation of core academic subjects; minimum units of credit required in high school; exception; additional subjects to be taught. [Effective through June 30, 2024.] Designation of core academic subjects; minimum units of credit required in high school; exception; additional subjects to be taught; requirement to enroll in courses of study and credits to obtain college and career ready high school diploma; exceptions. [Effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028.] Designation of core academic subjects; minimum units of credit required in high school; exception; additional subjects to be taught; requirement to enroll in courses of study and credits to obtain college and career ready high school diploma; exceptions. [Effective July 1, 2028.]

1. The following subjects are designated as the core academic subjects that must be taught, as applicable for grade levels, in all public schools, the Caliente Youth Center, the Nevada Youth Training Center and any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS:
(a) English language arts;
(b) Mathematics;
(c) Science; and
(d) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of history, geography, economics, civics, financial literacy and multicultural education.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a pupil enrolled in a public high school must enroll in a minimum of:
(a) Four units of credit in English language arts;
(b) Four units of credit in mathematics, including, without limitation, Algebra I and geometry, or an equivalent course of study that integrates Algebra I and geometry;
(c) Three units of credit in science, including two laboratory courses; and
(d) Three units of credit in social studies, including, without limitation:
(1) One-half unit of credit in American government;
(2) Two units of credit in American history, world history or geography; and
(3) One-half unit of credit in economics.
A pupil is not required to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by this subsection if the pupil, the parent or legal guardian of the pupil and an administrator or a counselor at the school in which the pupil is enrolled mutually agree to a modified course of study for the pupil and that modified course of study satisfies at least the requirements for a standard high school diploma, an adjusted diploma or an alternative diploma, as applicable. A school district may authorize one or more public high schools in the school district to offer a combined course in American government and economics for one unit of credit which satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (3) if the curriculum of an advanced placement course is used for American government in the combined course.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, in addition to the core academic subjects, the following subjects must be taught as applicable for grade levels and to the extent practicable in all public schools, the Caliente Youth Center, the Nevada Youth Training Center and any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS:
(a) The arts;
(b) Computer education and technology;
(c) Health; and
(d) Physical education.
If the State Board requires the completion of course work in a subject area set forth in this subsection for graduation from high school or promotion to the next grade, a public school shall offer the required course work. Except as otherwise provided for a course of study in health prescribed by subsection 1 of NRS 389.021 and the instruction prescribed by subsection 1 of NRS 389.064, unless a subject is required for graduation from high school or promotion to the next grade, a charter school is not required to comply with this subsection.
4. Instruction in health and physical education provided pursuant to subsection 3 must include, without limitation, instruction concerning the importance of annual physical examinations by a provider of health care and the appropriate response to unusual aches and pains.
(Added to NRS by 1999, 3257; A 2003, 1143; 2007, 1962; 2013, 2261; 2015, 1330, 2095; 2017, 237, 2929; 2019, 1478; 2021, 905, 1954)
1. The following subjects are designated as the core academic subjects that must be taught, as applicable for grade levels, in all public schools, the Caliente Youth Center, the Nevada Youth Training Center and any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS:
(a) English language arts;
(b) Mathematics;
(c) Science; and
(d) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of history, geography, economics, civics, financial literacy and multicultural education.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a pupil enrolled in a public high school must enroll in a minimum of:
(a) Four units of credit in English language arts;
(b) Four units of credit in mathematics, including, without limitation, Algebra I and geometry, or an equivalent course of study that integrates Algebra I and geometry;
(c) Three units of credit in science, including two laboratory courses; and
(d) Three units of credit in social studies, including, without limitation:
(1) One-half unit of credit in American government;
(2) Two units of credit in American history, world history or geography; and
(3) One-half unit of credit in economics.
A pupil is not required to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by this subsection if the pupil, the parent or legal guardian of the pupil and an administrator or a counselor at the school in which the pupil is enrolled mutually agree to a modified course of study for the pupil and that modified course of study satisfies at least the requirements for a standard high school diploma, an adjusted diploma or an alternative diploma, as applicable. A school district may authorize one or more public high schools in the school district to offer a combined course in American government and economics for one unit of credit which satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (3) if the curriculum of an advanced placement course is used for American government in the combined course.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, in addition to the core academic subjects, the following subjects must be taught as applicable for grade levels and to the extent practicable in all public schools, the Caliente Youth Center, the Nevada Youth Training Center and any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS:
(a) The arts;
(b) Computer education and technology;
(c) Health; and
(d) Physical education.
If the State Board requires the completion of course work in a subject area set forth in this subsection for graduation from high school or promotion to the next grade, a public school shall offer the required course work. Except as otherwise provided for a course of study in health prescribed by subsection 1 of NRS 389.021 and the instruction prescribed by subsection 1 of NRS 389.064, unless a subject is required for graduation from high school or promotion to the next grade, a charter school is not required to comply with this subsection.
4. Instruction in health and physical education provided pursuant to subsection 3 must include, without limitation, instruction concerning the importance of annual physical examinations by a provider of health care and the appropriate response to unusual aches and pains.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, in addition to the courses of study and credits required by subsection 2, a pupil enrolled in a public high school must enroll in:
(a) Any additional courses of study and credits required by the State Board to receive a college and career ready high school diploma, including, without limitation, the courses of study and credits required to receive one of the endorsements described in subsection 3 of NRS 390.605; or
(b) Any additional courses of study and credits required to receive a diploma that is awarded by a school district and is equivalent to or more rigorous than a college and career ready high school diploma.
6. A pupil is not required to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by subsection 5 if:
(a) After the pupil’s ninth grade year, the pupil and, to the extent practicable, the parent or legal guardian of the pupil consult with a counselor and, to the extent practicable, an administrator, at the school in which the pupil is enrolled and the pupil, counselor and, if applicable, the parent or legal guardian and administrator, mutually agree to a modified course of study for the pupil and that modified course of study satisfies at least the requirements for a standard high school diploma, an adjusted diploma or an alternative diploma, as applicable; or
(b) The pupil is a pupil with a disability and, in accordance with his or her individualized education program or a plan developed in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, is exempted from the requirement to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by this subsection.
7. As used in this section, "individualized education program" has the meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A).
(Added to NRS by 1999, 3257; A 2003, 1143; 2007, 1962; 2013, 2261; 2015, 1330, 2095; 2017, 237, 2929; 2019, 1478; 2021, 905, 1954; 2023, 1172, effective July 1, 2024)
1. The following subjects are designated as the core academic subjects that must be taught, as applicable for grade levels, in all public schools, the Caliente Youth Center, the Nevada Youth Training Center and any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS:
(a) English language arts;
(b) Mathematics;
(c) Science; and
(d) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of history, geography, economics, civics, financial literacy and multicultural education.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a pupil enrolled in a public high school must enroll in a minimum of:
(a) Four units of credit in English language arts;
(b) Four units of credit in mathematics, including, without limitation, Algebra I and geometry, or an equivalent course of study that integrates Algebra I and geometry;
(c) Three units of credit in science, including two laboratory courses; and
(d) Three units of credit in social studies, including, without limitation:
(1) One-half unit of credit in American government;
(2) Two units of credit in American history, world history or geography; and
(3) One-half unit of credit in economics and financial literacy.
A pupil is not required to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by this subsection if the pupil, the parent or legal guardian of the pupil and an administrator or a counselor at the school in which the pupil is enrolled mutually agree to a modified course of study for the pupil and that modified course of study satisfies at least the requirements for a standard high school diploma, an adjusted diploma or an alternative diploma, as applicable. A school district may authorize one or more public high schools in the school district to offer a combined course in American government and economics and financial literacy for one unit of credit which satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (3) if the curriculum of an advanced placement course is used for American government in the combined course.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, in addition to the core academic subjects, the following subjects must be taught as applicable for grade levels and to the extent practicable in all public schools, the Caliente Youth Center, the Nevada Youth Training Center and any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS:
(a) The arts;
(b) Computer education and technology;
(c) Health; and
(d) Physical education.
If the State Board requires the completion of course work in a subject area set forth in this subsection for graduation from high school or promotion to the next grade, a public school shall offer the required course work. Except as otherwise provided for a course of study in health prescribed by subsection 1 of NRS 389.021 and the instruction prescribed by subsection 1 of NRS 389.064, unless a subject is required for graduation from high school or promotion to the next grade, a charter school is not required to comply with this subsection.
4. Instruction in health and physical education provided pursuant to subsection 3 must include, without limitation, instruction concerning the importance of annual physical examinations by a provider of health care and the appropriate response to unusual aches and pains.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, in addition to the courses of study and credits required by subsection 2, a pupil enrolled in a public high school must enroll in:
(a) Any additional courses of study and credits required by the State Board to receive a college and career ready high school diploma, including, without limitation, the courses of study and credits required to receive one of the endorsements described in subsection 3 of NRS 390.605; or
(b) Any additional courses of study and credits required to receive a diploma that is awarded by a school district and is equivalent to or more rigorous than a college and career ready high school diploma.
6. A pupil is not required to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by subsection 5 if:
(a) After the pupil’s ninth grade year, the pupil and, to the extent practicable, the parent or legal guardian of the pupil consult with a counselor and, to the extent practicable, an administrator, at the school in which the pupil is enrolled and the pupil, counselor and, if applicable, the parent or legal guardian and administrator, mutually agree to a modified course of study for the pupil and that modified course of study satisfies at least the requirements for a standard high school diploma, an adjusted diploma or an alternative diploma, as applicable; or
(b) The pupil is a pupil with a disability and, in accordance with his or her individualized education program or a plan developed in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, is exempted from the requirement to enroll in the courses of study and credits required by this subsection.
7. As used in this section, "individualized education program" has the meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A).
(Added to NRS by 1999, 3257; A 2003, 1143; 2007, 1962; 2013, 2261; 2015, 1330, 2095; 2017, 237, 2929; 2019, 1478; 2021, 905, 1954; 2023, 146, 1172, effective July 1, 2028)