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Graduation Requirements

Graduation is typically the closing chapter in any student educational enterprise. At the graduation ceremony, students are rewarded for their achievements, and schools bestow some degree, certificate, or other recognition of the fulfillment of the predetermined academic requisites. Because of its importance as a marker of achievement and a rite of passage, graduation has generated a number of legal issues, as summarized in this entry.

Setting Standards

Schools are generally given the authority to govern the standards for graduation. However, these standards must fall within the state graduation requirements. Generally, states set minimum credit hour requirements both for graduation generally and for individual subject areas, such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education. A small number of jurisdictions, such as Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, ...

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