CHAPTER 24:43:11
CURRICULUM
Section
24:43:11:01 Number of required credits for graduation from high school -- Personal learning plan required.
24:43:11:02 General requirements for high school graduation.
24:43:11:02.01 Specific units of credit required for high school graduation advanced endorsement.
24:43:11:02.02 Specific units of credit required for high school graduation advanced career endorsement.
24:43:11:02.03 Specific units of credit required for high school graduation advanced honors endorsement.
24:43:11:03 Criteria for providing instruction over distance by electronic media.
24:43:11:04 Repealed.
24:43:11:05 Specific units of credit required for high school graduation -- Distinguished high school program.
24:43:11:06 Repealed.
24:43:11:07 Required high school unit offerings.
24:43:11:08 Testing requirements.
24:43:11:09 Course equivalency exam.
24:43:11:10 Repealed.
24:43:11:11 Repealed.
24:43:11:12 Repealed.
24:43:11:13 Repealed.
24:43:11:14 Repealed.
24:43:11:15 Repealed.
24:43:11:16 Repealed.
24:43:11:01. Number of required credits for graduation from high school -- Personal learning plan required. Required units of credit for high school graduation must be earned in grades 9 through 12, and students must earn a minimum of 22 units of credit.
Local school boards or governing bodies may set requirements of credit beyond the minimum. Transfer students unable to meet graduation requirements set by a local school board or governing body because of time and scheduling constraints, but not due to course failure, may graduate on the basis of meeting state minimum requirements for graduation.
The local school board or governing body may waive one or more graduation requirements for senior students who transfer from another state, who have met the standards in that state, and who are unable to meet the graduation requirements set by the state board because of time and scheduling constraints but not due to course failure.
A student must earn a high school diploma as outlined in § 24:43:11:02 in which coursework aligns with the student's personal learning plan. All students in grades 9 through 12 must have a personal learning plan. The personal learning plan must document a minimum of 22 units of credit.
Effective July 1, 2020, any advanced endorsement earned must be listed on the high school transcript.
After January 1, 2026, the department shall review the required credits for high school graduation.
Source: SL 1975, ch 16, § 1; 3 SDR 23, effective September 29, 1976; 5 SDR 110, effective July 5, 1979; 9 SDR 154, effective July 1, 1983; 10 SDR 111, effective April 24, 1984; 11 SDR 96, 11 SDR 112, effective July 1, 1985; 16 SDR 214, effective June 12, 1990; repealed, SL 1995, ch 86, § 2, effective July 1, 1995; readopted, 22 SDR 12, effective August 9, 1995; 23 SDR 31, effective September 8, 1996; 27 SDR 75, effective February 6, 2001; transferred from § 24:03:06:05, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; 36 SDR 96, effective December 8, 2009; 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47, 13-33-19.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-3-48, 13-33-1.
24:43:11:02. General requirements for high school graduation. The units of credit required for high school graduation must include the following:
(1) Four units or more of language arts that must include the following:
(a) One unit of writing;
(b) One-half unit of speech or debate; and
(c) One unit of literature that must include one-half unit of American literature;
(2) Three units or more of social studies that must include the following:
(a) One unit of U.S. history; and
(b) One-half unit of U.S. government;
(3) Three units or more of mathematics that must include one unit of algebra I;
(4) Three units or more of science that must include one unit of biology;
(5) One unit or more in any combination of the following:
(a) Approved career and technical education courses;
(b) A capstone experience; and
(c) World languages;
(6) One-half unit of personal finance or economics;
(7) One unit of fine arts;
(8) One-half unit of physical education;
(9) One-half unit of health or health integration; and
(10) Five and one-half units of electives.
A state-approved advanced computer science course may be substituted for one unit of science, but may not be substituted for biology.
Within the coursework outlined above, a student may earn one or more advanced endorsement, but is not required to do so. A student may earn one or more of the following advanced endorsements: advanced, advanced career, and advanced honors. Substitutions for laboratory science, using a state-approved computer science course, do not apply to the advanced and advanced honors endorsements.
Students may be granted up to one credit in fine arts for participation in extracurricular activities. A maximum of one-fourth credit may be granted for each extracurricular activity each school year. In order to grant credit, a district must document the alignment of the activity with fine arts content standards as approved by the South Dakota Board of Education.
Academic core content credit may be earned by completing an approved career and technical education course. Approval to offer credit must be obtained through an application process with the Department of Education. The application must include:
(1) Course syllabus;
(2) Standards based curriculum;
(3) Teacher certification;
(4) Assessment of standards by methods including end-of-course exams, authentic assessment, project-based learning or rubrics.
Source: 10 SDR 111, effective April 24, 1984; 11 SDR 96, 11 SDR 112, effective July 1, 1985; 16 SDR 214, effective June 12, 1990; 23 SDR 31, effective September 8, 1996; 27 SDR 75, adopted January 17, 2001; 29 SDR 140, adopted April 1, 2003; 31 SDR 129, adopted March 2, 2005, effective July 1, 2009; transferred from § 24:03:06:06.01, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; 33 SDR 55, adopted September 11, 2006, effective September 1, 2007; 33 SDR 55, adopted September 11, 2006, effective September 1, 2009; 36 SDR 96, effective December 8, 2009; 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-33-1, 13-33-19.
24:43:11:02.01. Specific units of credit required for high school graduation advanced endorsement. The units of credit required for the high school graduation advanced endorsement must include the following 22 units:
(1) Four units or more of language arts that must include:
(a) One unit of writing;
(b) One-half unit of speech or debate; and
(c) One unit of literature that must include one-half unit of American literature;
(2) Three units or more of social studies that must include the following:
(a) One unit of U.S. history; and
(b) One-half unit of U.S. government;
(3) Three units or more of mathematics that must include the following:
(a) One unit of algebra I;
(b) One unit of geometry; and
(c) One unit of algebra II;
(4) Three units or more of science that must include the following:
(a) One unit of biology; and
(b) Two units of laboratory sciences;
(5) One unit or more in any combination of the following:
(a) Approved career and technical education courses;
(b) A capstone experience; and
(c) World languages;
(6) One-half unit of personal finance or economics;
(7) One unit of fine arts;
(8) One-half unit of physical education;
(9) One-half unit of health or health integration; and
(10) Five and one-half units of electives.
Source: 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-33-1, 13-33-19.
24:43:11:02.02. Specific units of credit required for high school graduation advanced career endorsement. The units of credit required for the high school graduation advanced career endorsement must include the following 22 units:
(1) Four units or more of language arts that must include:
(a) One unit of writing;
(b) One-half unit of speech or debate; and
(c) One unit of literature that must include one-half unit of American literature;
(2) Three units or more of social studies that must include the following:
(a) One unit of U.S. history; and
(b) One-half unit of U.S. government;
(3) Three units or more of mathematics that must include one unit of algebra I;
(4) Three units or more of science that must include one unit of biology:
(5) Two units or more in any combination of the following:
(a) Approved career and technical education courses from the same career cluster; or
(b) Capstone experience courses;
(6) Attainment of an industry-recognized credential or National Career Readiness Certificate of Silver or higher;
(7) One-half unit of personal finance or economics;
(8) One unit of fine arts;
(9) One-half unit of physical education;
(10) One-half unit of health or health integration; and
(11) Four and one-half units of electives.
Source: 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-33-1, 13-33-19.
24:43:11:02.03. Specific units of credit required for high school graduation advanced honors endorsement. The units of credit required for the high school graduation advanced honors endorsement must include the following 22 units:
(1) Four units or more of language arts coursework that include a minimum of the following:
(a) One and one-half units of writing;
(b) One and one-half units of literature that must include one-half unit of American literature;
(c) One-half unit of speech or debate; and
(d) One-half unit of language arts elective;
(2) Three units or more of social studies coursework that include a minimum of the following:
(a) One unit of U.S. history;
(b) One-half unit of U.S. government;
(c) One-half unit of geography;
(d) One-half unit of world history; and
(e) One-half unit of a social studies elective;
(3) Four units or more of mathematics coursework that include a minimum of the following:
(a) One unit of algebra I;
(b) One unit of geometry;
(c) One unit of algebra II; and
(d) One unit of an advanced mathematics course;
(4) Four units or more of science, including three units of laboratory science coursework that include a minimum of the following:
(a) One unit of biology;
(b) One unit of any physical science;
(c) One unit of chemistry or physics; and
(d) One unit of a science elective;
(5) Two units or more of either of the following or a combination of the two:
(a) Approved career and technical education courses; and
(b) Modern or classical language, including American Sign Language, in which the units must be in the same language;
(6) One-half unit of personal finance or economics;
(7) One unit of fine arts;
(8) One-half unit of physical education;
(9) One-half unit of health or health integration; and
(10) Two and one-half units of electives.
All high school coursework must be completed with a "C" or higher.
Source: 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-33-1, 13-33-19.
24:43:11:03. Criteria for providing instruction over distance by electronic media. Instruction that originates from another location within the state or outside of the state and is provided in the school through electronic media must meet the following criteria:
(1) The instructor at the sending station must meet the requirements of § 24:03:05:01;
(2) If the instructor at the sending station provides only one-way communication, the receiving school system must have a certified teacher in the classroom;
(3) If the instructor at the sending station provides two-way communication and interaction, the receiving school system may have either a certified teacher or a teacher aide to monitor the classroom;
(4) The instructional time must be comparable to the time required to complete a unit of credit in a conventional class; and
(5) The objectives of the class must be comparable to the objectives of a like course taught in a conventional class.
Source: 16 SDR 214, effective June 12, 1990; repealed, SL 1995, ch 86, § 2, effective July 1, 1995; readopted, 22 SDR 12, effective August 9, 1995; 23 SDR 31, effective September 8, 1996; transferred from § 24:03:06:07.03, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005.
24:43:11:04. Specific units of credit required for high school graduation -- Standard high school program. Repealed.
Source: 31 SDR 129, adopted March 2, 2005, effective July 1, 2009; transferred from § 24:03:06:06.06, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; 33 SDR 55, adopted September 11, 2006, effective September 1, 2009; 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
24:43:11:05. Specific units of credit required for high school graduation -- Distinguished high school program. Repealed.
Source: 31 SDR 129, adopted March 2, 2005, effective July 1, 2009; transferred from § 24:03:06:06.07, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; 33 SDR 55, adopted September 11, 2006, effective September 1, 2009; repealed, SL 2010, ch 96, § 1, effective July 1, 2010.
24:43:11:06. Standard and advanced high school programs. Repealed.
Source: 31 SDR 129, effective March 22, 2005; transferred from § 24:03:06:31, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; repealed, 36 SDR 96, effective December 8, 2009.
24:43:11:07. Required high school unit offerings. School districts must offer a minimum of the following every two years:
(1) Four units of language arts which include a minimum of the following:
(a) One and one-half units of writing;
(b) One unit of literature;
(c) One-half unit of American literature; and
(d) One-half unit of speech or debate;
(2) Three units of social studies which include a minimum of the following:
(a) One unit of U.S. history;
(b) One-half unit of U.S. government;
(c) One-half unit of geography; and
(d) One-half unit of world history;
(3) Four units of mathematics which must include a minimum of one unit of algebra I, one unit of algebra II, and one unit of geometry;
(4) Four units of science which must include a minimum of one unit of biology and one unit of chemistry or physics. Three units must be in laboratory science;
(5) One unit of fine arts;
(6) One-half unit of physical education;
(7) One-half unit of economics or personal finance;
(8) Two units of the same world language;
(9) One-half unit of computer science until September 1, 2013;
(10) One unit of approved career and technical education courses;
(11) Effective September 1, 2013, either a capstone experience or service learning; and
(12) Effective September 1, 2013, one-half unit of health or health integration which may be offered in grades six through 12. School districts that offer health or health integration in grades six, seven, or eight must use the waiver process described in chapter 24:43:08.
Source: 31 SDR 129, adopted March 2, 2005, effective July 1, 2006; transferred from § 24:03:06:32, 31 SDR 178, adopted May 4, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; 36 SDR 96, effective December 8, 2009.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-33-1.
24:43:11:08. Testing requirements. School districts shall administer a career interest assessment by the conclusion of grade eight and a career aptitude assessment by the end of the fall semester of grade ten. The assessment used in the development of the student's personal learning plan shall be provided by the Department of Education.
Source: 32 SDR 196, effective May 28, 2006; 34 SDR 322, effective July 1, 2008.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-3-1.4, 13-33-1.
24:43:11:09. Course equivalency exam. Course equivalency exams may be administered by a district if the district has received the approval for waiver from administrative rule pursuant to chapter 24:43:08 to offer equivalency exams for a specific content area. The exam shall be standards based if applicable. Credit shall be granted by equivalency exam based on the following:
(1) The student must pass the exam with at least 85% proficiency;
(2) The course equivalency exam must be passed on the first attempt for credit to be issued;
(3) Credit must be included on the student's transcript;
(4) Failed attempts on the course equivalency exam may not be included on a student's transcript and may not be calculated as a part of a student's cumulative grade point average; and
(5) The school district must proctor and score the exam.
Source: 33 SDR 236, effective July 5, 2007; 45 SDR 130, effective April 29, 2019.
General Authority: SDCL 13-1-12.1, 13-3-47.
Law Implemented: SDCL 13-5-34.
24:43:11:10. Students may complete standard high school program or change to recommended high school program. Repealed.
Source: 36 SDR 96, effective December 8, 2009; 45 SDR 35, effective September 19, 2018.
