Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
Descriptor Term:
4.605
09/09/24
Graduation Requirements
Rescinds:
Issued:
4.605
11/07/22
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General
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The program of studies shall include areas required by the State Board of Education.
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Before high school graduation, every student shall:¹
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1. Achieve the specified units of credit;
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2. Have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct;
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3. Take the ACT or SAT prior to graduation; and
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4. Pass a United States civics test. 3
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Students achieving the minimum twenty-two credits will be awarded a state diploma. In order to receive
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a Hickman County diploma, students shall obtain twenty-four credits.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS⁴
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Special education students who earn the prescribed twenty-four (22) credit minimum shall be awarded
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a regular high school diploma.
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Special Education Diploma
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A special education diploma shall be awarded to students who have not met the requirements for a regular
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high school diploma but have:⁵
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1. Completed four (4) years of high school;
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2. Made satisfactory progress on their IEP; and
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3. Maintained satisfactory records of attendance and conduct.
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Occupational Diploma
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Special education students who do not meet the requirements for a regular high school diploma may be
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awarded an occupational diploma if the student has: 1,4
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1. Completed at least four (4) years of high school;
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2. Made satisfactory progress on their IEP;
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3. Maintained satisfactory records of attendance and conduct;
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4. Completed the occupational diploma Skills, Knowledge, and Experience Mastery Assessment
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(SKEMA); and
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5. Has two (2) years of paid or non-paid work experience.
Version Date: June 23, 2026
Graduation Requirements
4.605
1
The decision to attain an occupational diploma shall be made at the conclusion of the student's 10th grade
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year or two (2) academic years prior to the expected graduation date.
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Students who have received a special education diploma or an occupational diploma shall continue to
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make progress towards a regular high school diploma until the end of the school year in which they turn
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twenty-two (22) years old.
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Alternate Academic Diploma
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Special education students who do not meet the requirements for a regular high school diploma may be
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awarded an alternate academic diploma if the student has:⁴
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1. Completed at least four (4) years of high school;
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2. Participated in the high school alternate assessments;
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3. Earned the prescribed twenty-two (22) credit minimum;
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4. Made satisfactory progress on their IEP;
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5. Maintained satisfactory records of attendance and conduct; and
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6. Completed a transition assessment that measures postsecondary education and training,
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employment, independent living, and community involvement.
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STUDENT LOAD
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All full time students in grades 9-12 shall be enrolled each semester in subjects that produce a minimum
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of five (5) units of credit for graduation per year. Students with hardships and gifted students may appeal
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this requirement to the director of schools and then to the board.⁶
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EARLY GRADUATION
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High school students shall be permitted to complete an early graduation program. Students intending to
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graduate early shall inform the school principal of this intent prior to the beginning of 9th grade or as
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soon thereafter as the intent is known.
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In order to graduate early, students must meet the following requirements:
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1. Earn the required seventeen (17) credits;
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2. Achieve a benchmark score for each required end-of-course exam;
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3. Attain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale;
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4. Meet the minimum ACT or SAT or Classic Learning Test (CLT) benchmark score;
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5. Obtain a qualifying benchmark score on a world language proficiency assessment; and
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6. Complete at least two (2) types of the following courses:
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a. AP;
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b. IB;
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c. Dual enrollment; or
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d. Dual credit.
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The director of schools shall develop administrative procedures to ensure that the early graduation
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program is conducted in accordance with state law, including reporting the total number of requests to
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graduate early to the TN Department of Education.
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Graduation Requirements
4.605
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 49-6-6001; State Board of Education Policy 2.103;
Class Size Ratios 4.201
TRR/MS 0520-01-03-.06
Alternative Credit Options 4.209
2.
TCA 49-6-6001(b) State Board of Education Policy 2.103
Honor Roll, Awards, & Class Ranking 4.602
3.
TCA 49-6-408; State Board of Education Policy 2.103
4.
TRR/MS 0520-01-03-.06; State Board of Education Policy
2.103
5.
TCA 49-6-6005; State Board of Education Policy 2.103
6.
TRR/MS 0520-01-03-.06(18)
7.
TCA 49-6-8103; State Board of Education Policy 2.103
8.
Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 912
9.
Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 1040
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Graduation Requirements | Descriptor Code: 4.605 | Issued Date: 09/09/24 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 4.605 | Issued: 11/07/22 |