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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
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n accordance with the law and regulations governing high school graduation requirements,
the Elizabeth Board of Education shall inform students and their parents/guardians at the
beginning of the ninth grade as to assessments, demonstrated proficiencies, course and credit hour
requirements, attendance policies and other State and local requirements needed for high school
graduation.
The Elizabeth Board of Education shall award a state-endorsed diploma to acknowledge the
successful completion of the requirements for high school graduation. The Elizabeth Board of
Education diploma will represent a high standard of curriculum content, instruction, and student
learning, thereby ensuring post-secondary readiness for all graduates in the 21st century.
The high school graduation requirements for the awarding of a state-endorsed diploma from
the Elizabeth Public Schools are:
A. Meet the district student attendance requirements;
B. Demonstrate proficiency in all sections of the State Assessment process applicable to the class
graduating in the year they meet all other graduation requirements in accordance with N.J.A.C.
6A:8-4.1(b) through (d);
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C. Complete successfully any course requirements stated in the administrative code as well as meeting
the district’s standards. The proficiencies required must include the New Jersey Student Learning
Standards (NJSLS) approved by the State Board of Education;
D. Select and complete successfully enough academic and elective credits to meet the district
minimum of 120 credits;
E. Perform a total of 60 hours of community service with a recommended minimum of 30 hours
completed by the end of tenth grade.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
A. Twenty credits in language arts literacy;
B. Fifteen credits in mathematics (including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and higher mathematics);
C. Fifteen credits in social studies (including 10 credits in the history of the United States in satisfaction
of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 2; and 5 credits in world history); and the integration of civics, geography
and global content in all course offerings;
D. 2.5 credits in financial literacy;
E. Fifteen credits in science, including at least five credits in laboratory biology/life science; an additional
five credits in a laboratory/inquiry-based science course including chemistry, environmental science,
or physics; and third and fourth laboratory/inquiry-based science courses.
F. Sixteen credits in physical education, health, and safety during each year of enrollment, as required
by N.J.S.A. 18A: 35-5, 7 and 8;
G. Five credits in visual and performing arts;
H. Five credits in 21st century life and careers, or career-technical education;
I. Ten credits in world languages;
J. Technology literacy, consistent with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, integrated
K. All courses shall be taught at the college preparatory, honors, or advanced placement levels;
L. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses are required to take the designated AP
examination administered by the College Board. If the student does not take the AP exam, the
student’s AP course designation must be changed from Advanced Placement to Honors and the
modification must be recorded in the student’s records and transcript; and
M. Effective beginning with the high school graduating class of 2014, and all subsequent graduating
classes, students must take the SAT®, ACT®, or equivalent college entrance exam.
Students at Elizabeth High School are required to meet the same standards, as listed previously in
Academic Requirements A-M, and are also required to successfully complete:
N. Five additional credits in world languages (local requirement); and
O. Senior Project (local requirement)
Successful completion means that the student has demonstrated the degree of proficiency required by
the district to indicate achievement of the district goals for the particular course, and has attended the
required number of course sessions.
Transfer students must meet all State and local requirements in order to receive an Elizabeth Board of
Education diploma.
The Chief School Administrator shall put into effect the procedures necessary to assess each student
upon entry into the system, and, annually thereafter, to identify those students not meeting the state
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or district proficiency requirements. He/she shall develop the programs necessary to remedy these
deficiencies at the lowest possible grade level. (EBOE Policy Code 6146)
ELIZABETH BOARD OF EDUCATION FILE CODE: 6146(X)
Elizabeth, New Jersey
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, Governor Murphy signed P.L.2022, c.60 (ACS A-3196/S-2349), which requires
the State Board of Education to administer the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA)
as a field test for the class of 2023. There is no graduation assessment requirement for any student who
is expected to graduate with the class of 2023. Students in the class of 2023 must still meet all other
State and local graduation requirements.
The graduation assessment requirements for the classes of 2024 and 2025 remain in place.
The requirements in this section were adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Education on
September 8, 2021 for the classes of 2023-2025.
Note: Special Education Students, whose Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) specify an alternate way
to demonstrate proficiencies, will continue to follow the graduation assessment requirements set forth
by their IEPs.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND LITERACY (ELA)
If, after completing the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment in grade 11, students did
not demonstrate proficiency by passing the ELA component, such students may access the following
pathways:
• Second Pathway: By meeting the designated cut score on a substitute competency test such as
other high school-level NJSLA/PARCC assessments, the SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or
• Third Pathway: By submitting, through the district, a student portfolio appeal to the New Jersey
MATHEMATICS
If, after completing the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment in grade 11, students did
not demonstrate proficiency by passing the mathematics component, such students may access the
following pathways:
•
Second Pathway: By meeting the designated cut score on a substitute competency test such as
other high school-level NJSLA/PARCC assessments, the SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or
• Third Pathway: By submitting, through the district, a student portfolio appeal to the New Jersey
