Navigating Oregon's High School Diploma Requirements

Earning a high school diploma in Oregon involves a multifaceted approach, balancing statewide standards with personalized learning and alternative pathways to graduation. This article delves into the details of Oregon's diploma requirements, including standard diplomas, modified and extended diplomas, and other options available to students.

Standard Oregon Diploma

To earn a standard Oregon Diploma, students must meet specific credit requirements, demonstrate essential skills, and fulfill personalized learning requirements. Oregon Connections Academy works closely with families to ensure that students understand graduation requirements in Oregon and have the support they need to fulfill those requirements. Students must successfully earn a minimum of 24 credits to graduate.

Credit Requirements

The Oregon Diploma requires students to accumulate a minimum number of credits across various subjects. These credit requirements ensure a well-rounded education.The table below outlines the credit requirements for the Oregon Diploma.

Four credits in English.
Three credits in social studies.
Three credits in mathematics, must be Algebra I and above. Courses aligned to the adopted Algebra, Geometry, and Data Reasoning standards meet this requirement.
Three credits in science, must include Scientific Inquiry and Lab Experiences as outlined in the standards. Lab experiences can take place outside of school, in field-based experiences.
Three credits in Career and Technical Education.
One and a half credits of physical education.
0. 5 credits in Higher Education and Career Path Skills beginning with the class of 2027, as detailed in Senate Bill 3.
Five credits in electives.

Prior to 2027, an additional 6 credits are needed to meet the minimum 24 credit requirement. Beginning in 2027, only 5 additional credits are needed.

Personalized Learning Requirements

The Personalized Learning Requirements personalize the diploma for each student and help students plan for their post-high school education and career goals. These include the Education Plan and Profile, Career-Related Learning Experiences, and Extended Application.

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Students create their education plan and profile in our district’s Career Learning System. The Education Plan and Profile includes:

Course history
Aptitude discovery
Interest assessment
A four-year academic plan

In our district’s Career Learning System, students:

Explore career pathways and occupations that match their interests
Write a career plan
Create a resumé

During grade 11, students attend the Benton County Career Convention and participate in mock interviews, meet with career panelists and connect with community partners and employers.

Oregon high-school graduates must meet the statewide Extended Application graduation requirement by submitting a class, club, or community project; identifying a supporting adult they worked with on the project; and submitting a written reflection about how the project is connected to their future plans.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to volunteer for 40 hours of community service before graduation. Students are responsible for organizing and documenting volunteer hours. The Oregon School District will provide an educational experience designed to help each student reach their full potential. The district endeavors that students learn and master academic content, form meaningful relationships and develop the skills, aptitudes and characteristics important to meeting the challenges they may face in building rewarding lives.

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Alternative Diploma Options

Recognizing that not all students learn at the same pace or in the same way, Oregon provides alternative diploma options. These include modified diplomas, extended diplomas, and certificates of attendance.

Modified Diploma

The Corvallis School District can award a modified diploma only to students who have demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards for a standard high school diploma with reasonable modifications and accommodations. A school district or public charter school shall award a modified diploma only to students who have demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards for a high school diploma with reasonable modifications and accommodations.

To be eligible for a modified diploma, a student must satisfy the requirements for a modified diploma established by the State Board of Education and have a documented history of an inability to maintain grade level achievement due to significant learning and instructional barriers or have a documented history of a medical condition that creates a barrier to achievement.

To be eligible for a modified diploma, a student must complete a total of 24 credits that include:

Two credits of mathematics;
Three credits of language arts;
Two credits of science;
Two credits of history, geography, economics or civics;
Once credit of physical education;
One credit health;
One credit in world language, Arts, or Career & Technical Education;
0. 5 credit in College and Career Pathways;
0. 5 credit in personal financial education; and
Eleven credits of electives.

Extended Diploma

The Corvallis School District can award an extended diploma only to students who have demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards for a high school diploma with reasonable modifications and accommodations. A school district or public charter school shall award an extended diploma only to students who have demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards for a high school diploma with reasonable modifications and accommodations.

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To be eligible for an extended diploma, a student must while in grade nine through completion of high school, complete 12 credits, which may not include more than six credits earned in a self-contained special education classroom and shall include:

Two credits of mathematics;
Two credits of language arts;
Two credits of science;
Three credits of history, geography, economics or civics;
One credit of health; and
One credit of physical education; and
One credit of the arts or a world language.

Certificate of Attendance

The Corvallis School District can award a certificate of attendance to a student who does not satisfy the requirements for a high school diploma, a modified diploma or an extended diploma if the student has maintained regular full-time attendance for at least four years beginning in grade nine and meets requirements established by the board of the school district.

All students meeting the requirements for certificate of attendance, modified, extended, or Oregon Diploma have the option of participating in graduation exercises.

Additional Considerations

Several other factors influence Oregon's high school diploma requirements, including provisions for foster children, students in the armed forces, and the potential for waivers in certain circumstances.

Students in Special Circumstances

Foster Children: Specific provisions exist to support foster children in achieving their high school diploma.
Armed Forces: A student who has completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States may have specific diploma considerations.

Waivers and Flexibility

Credit Requirement Waivers: A school district, a public charter school or an education service district may request a waiver of the credit requirements under ORS 329.451 (High school diploma) (2)(a)(D) and (E) for the students of the district or school if the district or school is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department of Education, based on rules adopted by the State Board of Education, that the district or school is unable to provide courses necessary for students to satisfy the credit requirements described in ORS 329.451 (High school diploma) (2)(a)(D) and (E) due to a lack of educators qualified to provide the courses. Waivers may be approved at the Oregon Department of Education’s discretion.
Time to Completion: A student may satisfy the requirements of subsection (2) of this section in less than four years.

Honors Diploma

The Honors Diploma is designed to recognize students who demonstrate that they are prepared for college.

An Oregon honors diploma seal is available for public school students who have obtained a GPA of 3.5 or above.

High School Equivalency Program

Oregon’s High School Equivalency Program, administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) oversees the GED® test preparation, instruction, and testing process in Oregon. The GED® program provides individuals with an opportunity to earn a GED® test credential. Earning a GED® test credential can help individuals improve their chances to find work, increase earnings, and/or pursue additional education through community colleges, universities or training programs. All Oregonians who are 18 or older can take the GED test.

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