Get Ready - Students - Oregon Department of Education

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Students

What do I need to know about the new graduation requirements?
First, ask questions. The best place to find accurate information is your guidance counselor or school administrators. They will be able to tell you exactly what will be required for you to graduate. This website can give you general information about the changes statewide, but the direct impact on your classes and your schedule can best be described by your counselor.

Basically, in order to get a diploma you and your classmates will be taking more math, science, and English and will have to show that you have a set of essential skills like reading a variety of texts and applying math in a variety of situations. Click here to learn more about these requirements.

This site shows the change in the minimum requirements set by the state. However, many schools require students to take more than what is listed here. You need to meet the requirements of your school in order to graduate. Click on the links below to see the state’s requirements for your graduating year.

I will graduate in:

2010 PDF

| 2011

| 2012

| 2013

| 2014 or later PDF

Can I graduate with an Oregon Diploma if I meet the state requirements but don’t want to take the additional courses my high school requires?
No. The state sets guidelines for school districts, but cannot issue you a diploma. Only your school district can do that. You will have to meet all of the requirements of your high school in order to receive a diploma and graduate.

What do these requirements have to do with my goals and my life outside of school? Why should I care?
Unless you plan on marrying a millionaire, you will probably end up working. It is likely that you already have some ideas of areas you might be interested in working in. Whether your goals include going on to school, entering the military, or going directly into the workforce, you will need a high level of skills in order to compete. In today’s high-tech world, it is easy to hire the best and the brightest from anywhere around the globe. The more skills you have, the better you will be able to compete, adapt, and succeed.

Without a strong educational foundation, your options for the future will be very limited. High school graduates earn more than drop-outs and college graduates earn more than twice as much as drop outs. Simply put, a better education = more money, more options, and more opportunities.

What if I already know everything in a course? Do I still have to take it?
Not necessarily. You also have the option to demonstrate that you already know the material and receive credit. This is called credit for proficiency. If you meet your school’s requirements for demonstrating your proficiency (showing that you know the material) you can receive credit and not have to take that course. Click here to read more about credit for proficiency.

I’m not planning on going to college. Do I really need these requirements?
Yes. In some ways, you may need them more. If you are not planning on higher education or training, you need to leave high school with a full tool kit of skills, ready to walk into your workplace prepared. Jobs in today’s economy are competitive, challenge, and exciting. In order to have the opportunities to move into a field that interests you, pays well, and provides opportunities for advancement, you need to have the skills to compete. And if you someday you choose to go back to school, you need to have the skills to get you into college or trade school.

What can I do to make sure I am prepared?

Talk to your teachers and advisors – Take a little time to learn about the changes, how they are different from what you have been doing, and how the changes will affect the classes you will have to take. If you are already in high school, not all of these changes will affect you but it is best to be aware of them.
Ask for help when you need it – If you have questions about the changes, concerns about graduating, or simply want some extra help getting ready for the new requirements, there are people out there to help. Everyone needs help from time to time, especially in something as important as getting ready for the future.
Believe in yourself – School might not always be easy and it might not always be fun. But you can do it! Half the battle is believing in yourself.
Explore – What are you interested in? What careers are you curious about? Now is the perfect time to start exploring careers around you. You could visit a local business, shadow a veterinarian, visit a construction site, or talk to your parents about the jobs they do and how they got there. There are more careers available to you than you can even imagine. So many possibilities…ready to explore?