Mastering the Advanced Studies Diploma: A Comprehensive Guide
The pursuit of higher education begins long before college applications. For high school students, selecting the right diploma path is a crucial first step. The Advanced Studies Diploma, offered in Virginia and other states, represents a commitment to a rigorous academic curriculum designed to prepare students for success in college and beyond. This article provides a detailed overview of the Advanced Studies Diploma, its requirements, and its benefits.
Understanding the Advanced Studies Diploma
The Advanced Studies Diploma is a high school diploma option designed for students seeking a more challenging and comprehensive academic experience. It signifies a student's dedication to a well-rounded education and often serves as a strong indicator of college readiness. In Virginia, the specific requirements for this diploma are set by the Virginia Board of Education and are tied to the year a student first enters the 9th grade. Students will meet with their school counselor each year to update their Academic and Career Plan (ACP) and diploma type.
Core Requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma
The Advanced Studies Diploma necessitates a specific number of standard and verified credits, ensuring students achieve a high level of competency across various subjects. For students entering 9th grade in 2018-19 and beyond, the requirements typically include:
- Total Credits: A minimum of 26 standard credits and 5 verified credits.
- English: 4 credits in English, covering English 9, 10, 11, and 12, or an advanced equivalent.
- Mathematics: 4 credits in mathematics, including at least three different course selections from among Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra 2. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.
- Science: 4 credits in science. Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses that incorporate Standards of Learning content from multiple academic areas. The board shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
- History and Social Sciences: 4 credits in history and social sciences, encompassing U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and both World History to 1500 and World History from 1500. World Geography may be accepted as one of the required World History courses for transfer students.
- World Language: 3 or 4 credits in a world language. Students can satisfy the World Language requirement for the Advanced Diploma with either three years of one language or two years each of two languages.
- Health and Physical Education: 2 credits in Health and Physical Education, typically Health and Physical Education 1 and 2. Students who participate in the JROTC program have the option of an alternate health and physical education sequence. First Aid, CPR, and AED Training*Students will meet the First Aid, CPR, and AED Training requirement while enrolled in Health and Physical Education 1 in Prince William County Public Schools.
- Economics and Personal Finance: 1 credit in Economics/Personal Finance, often including a virtual course component.
- Electives: 3 or 4 credits in electives. Students can satisfy the sequential elective requirement with any two of the three required elective credits that demonstrate a progression in the study of a specific field (not two introductory courses) from any discipline. The two sequential electives may be in any discipline as long as the courses are not specifically required for graduation in 8VAC20-131-51 of the standards. Students may take the focused sequence of elective courses in consecutive years or any two years of high school. Students can satisfy the World Language requirement for the Advanced Diploma with either three years of one language or two years each of two languages. If using World Language courses to meet both the sequential elective requirement and the World Language graduation requirement for an Advanced Studies diploma, students would need a total of five credits in World Language; either five credits of the same language, or (if taking two different languages) two credits of one language and three credits of another language.
Verified Credits: Demonstrating Mastery
In addition to standard credits, students pursuing an Advanced Studies Diploma must earn verified credits. Students earn verified credits by successfully completing required courses and passing associated end-of-course SOL tests or other assessments approved by the state Board of Education. These credits demonstrate a student's mastery of the material and are typically earned through end-of-course exams. The number of verified credits required may vary depending on the year the student enters 9th grade and whether the student transfers from another school system. Students who enroll during the school year after the first 20 hours of instruction will be required to meet the following verified unit of credit requirements for graduation: Students entering 9th grade for the first time during 2018-19 and beyond, Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.
Additional Requirements and Opportunities
Beyond the core coursework, students pursuing an Advanced Studies Diploma may need to fulfill additional requirements or have opportunities for further distinction:
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- CTE Credentialing Exam: Students must take and pass a Career and Technical Education credentialing exam that has been approved by the Virginia Board of Education.Or
- Take one advanced course during their high school career. An advanced course can be defined as any AP/Advanced, IB/Pre-IB, AICE/IGSCE course, or dual enrollment.Or
- Participate in a High-Quality Work-Based Learning experience as defined by the Virginia Department of Education.
- Diploma Seals: Students meeting specific requirements for graduation and demonstrating exemplary performance may receive diploma seals for recognition. Section 8VAC20-131-51 of the Standards of Accreditation establishes the requirements for diploma seals. The Virginia Department of Education provides the following seals to local school divisions.
- Board of Education Seal: The Board of Education Seal is awarded to students who complete the requirements for a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of "A".
- Career and Technical Education Seal: The Board of Education’s Career & Technical Education Seal is awarded to students who: Earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that they choose and maintain a "B" or better average in those courses Or pass an examination or an occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that confers certification or occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, trade or professional association Or acquire a professional license in that career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia.The Board of Education shall ap…
- The Board of Education’s Seal for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) shall be awarded to students who earn either a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma and (i) satisfy all Math and Science requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma with a “B” average or better in all course work; and (ii) successfully complete a 50 hour or more work-based learning opportunity in a STEM area; and (iii) satisfy all requirements for a Career and Technical Education concentration.
- The Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education shall be awarded to students who earn either a Modified Standard, Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and (i) complete Virginia and United States History and Virginia and United States Government courses with a grade of “B” or higher; (ii) have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies; and (iii) complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities. Activities that would satisfy the requirements of clause (iii) of this subdivision include: (a) volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate; (b) participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar youth organizations; (c) participating in JROTC; (d) participating in political campaigns or government internships, or Boys State, Girls State, or Model General Assembly; or (e) participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United States military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement.
- The Board of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy shall be awarded to students who earn a Board of Education approved diploma and: (i) pass all required End of Course Assessments in English reading and writing at the proficient or higher level; and (ii) are proficient at the intermediate mid-level or higher in one or more languages other than English, as demonstrated through an assessment from a list to be approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- Sequential Electives: Students must take at least two sequential electives to receive a Standard High School Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma. Sequential electives are courses in which the content increases or expands in scope and sequence as students move through the various levels of the courses. These courses may be in any discipline Courses used to satisfy one unit of credit in a fine art or CTE may be used to partially satisfy this requirement. A sequence that includes an exploratory course followed by an introductory course cannot be used to satisfy this requirement; however, an introductory course followed by another level of the same course of study can be used. Students may take the focused sequence of elective courses in consecutive years or any two years of high school. Allowance of work-based learning experiences through career and technical education (CTE) courses.
Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan are encouraged to pursue the Advanced Studies or Standard Diploma. The IEP or 504 team will work with students and their families to determine the appropriate individual path to graduation for the student. Students are eligible to pursue an Advanced Studies Diploma, Standard Diploma, or Applied Studies Diploma. Students may use credit accommodations to earn the Standard Diploma if they meet the following eligibility requirements: The student has a current IEP or 504 plan with standards-based content goals; The student has a disability that precludes him or her from achieving and progressing commensurate with grade level expectation, but is learning grade level content; The student needs significant instructional supports to access grade level Standards of Learning (SOL) content and to show progress; and Based on multiple objective measures of past performance, student might not be expected to achieve the required standard and verified units of credit within the standard time frame. Credit accommodations shall be determined and documented by the student's IEP team or 504 plan committee, including the student where appropriate, at any point after the student's eighth grade year. Students with disabilities who complete the requirements of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and do not meet the requirements for other diplomas shall be awarded the Applied Studies Diploma.
Transition Services for Students with IEPs
Realizing successful postsecondary outcomes is a goal PWCS has for all students. Depending on the severity of disability and the support services required in adult life, successful transition from high school to adult life may require that planning activities begin in elementary school with students exploring their interests in middle school. Starting the process early prepares students with disabilities to think about what they want to be able to do in adult life. High school transition planning includes exploring postsecondary opportunities and employment options and may include connecting with the adult service agencies that may provide the student with services. Beginning no later than the first IEP developed when the eligible student is 14, the IEPs of students should include a post school vision statement as well as identify the transition services necessary to support the vision. IDEA defines transition services as a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that: Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student with a disability to facilitate the student's movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation; Is based on individual strengths, preferences and interest; and Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. (P.L. 108-446, Sec 603 (34))
Transfer Students and Graduation Requirements
Students who transfer to Prince William County Public Schools from a public school system within the state of Virginia must meet all graduation requirements set forth by the Virginia Department of Education. Students who transfer to Prince William County Public Schools from a private or out-of-state school will work with their school counselor to make an individualized graduation plan that allows the student some flexibility in meeting graduation requirements as set forth by the Virginia Department of Education. Students whose parents are active duty military may receive additional flexibility as outlined in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Diploma Warranty
Prince William County Public Schools provides a two-year warranty for diploma recipients. The diploma warranty guarantees minimum competencies in mathematics, reading, and writing. Students receiving a diploma from Prince William County Public Schools: Understand, interpret, and analyze written material; Carry out oral and written directions or obtain clarification when necessary; Express ideas both orally and in writing, using appropriate vocabulary and proper grammar; Locate and obtain needed information from common reference materials, computerized databases, maps and diagrams, and resource people; Apply basic computation skills; and Use problem-solving strategies in the work environment.
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