The statewide subject areas and credits required for high school graduation, beginning July 1, 2012, for students who enter the ninth grade or begin the equivalent of a four-year high school program, as of July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015, except as provided in WAC 180-51-068(11), shall total twenty as provided below. The credit and subject area requirements in this section apply to districts with a waiver to delay implementing WAC 180-51-068. For such districts, this section will apply to students who entered ninth grade between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2016. All credits are to be aligned with the state's learning standards for the subject. The content of any course shall be determined by the local school district.

(1) Four English credits.

(2) Three mathematics credits that satisfy the requirements set forth below:

(a) Unless otherwise provided for in (d) through (g) of this subsection, the three mathematics credits required under this section must include:

(i) Algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I;

(ii) Geometry or integrated mathematics II; and

(iii) Algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III.

(b) A student may elect to pursue a third credit of high school-level mathematics, other than algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III, if all of the following requirements are met:

(i) The student's elective choice is based on a career-oriented program of study identified in the student's high school and beyond plan that is currently being pursued by the student;

(ii) The student's parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable) agree that the third credit of mathematics elected is a more appropriate course selection than algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III because it will better serve the student's education and career goals;

(iii) A meeting is held with the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable), and a high school representative for the purpose of discussing the student's high school and beyond plan and advising the student of the requirements for credit bearing two- and four-year college level mathematics courses; and

(iv) The school has the parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable) sign a form acknowledging that the meeting with a high school representative has occurred, the information as required was discussed, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable) agree that the third credit of mathematics elected is a more appropriate course selection given the student's education and career goals.

(c) Equivalent career and technical education mathematics courses meeting the requirements set forth in RCW 28A.230.097 can be taken for credit instead of any of the mathematics courses set forth in (a) of this subsection if the career and technical education mathematics courses are recorded on the student's transcript using the equivalent academic high school department designation and course title.

(d) A student who prior to ninth grade successfully completes one or more high school level math courses with a passing grade that is automatically transcribed on the student's high school transcript in accordance with RCW 28A.230.090 and WAC 180-51-030, or a student who demonstrates mastery in high school math subjects and has received credit for them, may use these credits to meet their math graduation requirements. Upon completion of algebra 1 or integrated math I, geometry or integrated math II, and a third credit of high school level math that aligns with the student's high school and beyond plan, the student should be encouraged to consider additional math courses, which align with the student's education and career goals in their high school and beyond plan.

(e) A student who prior to ninth grade successfully completes one or more high school level math courses with a passing grade and opts to receive no high school credit for such course(s) in accordance with RCW 28A.230.090 and WAC 180-51-030, or a student who demonstrated mastery in these subjects but did not receive high school credits, may either:

(i) Repeat the course(s) for credit in high school; or

(ii) Earn three credits of high school mathematics in different math subjects than those completed before high school. The student must take algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I and geometry or integrated math II in high school if the student did not complete these courses at a high school level prior to high school, but the student does not need to repeat courses if the student already took the courses at a high school level.

(3) Two science credits, at least one of the two credits must be in laboratory science.

(4) Three social studies credits (two credits prescribed courses, plus one credit social studies elective) and a noncredit requirement. The social studies requirement shall consist of the following mandatory courses or equivalencies:

(a) One credit shall be required in United States history.

(b) Successful completion of Washington state history and government shall be required, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.230.170, 28A.230.090, 28A.320.170 and WAC 392-410-120, and shall include information on the cultures, histories, and governments of the American Indian peoples who are the first inhabitants of the state. Successful completion of Washington state history must be noted on each student's transcript. The Washington state history and government requirement may be waived by the principal for individual students who:

(i) Have successfully completed a state history and government course of study in another state; or

(ii) Are in eleventh or twelfth grade and who have not completed a course of study in Washington's history and state government because of previous residence outside the state or because emergency school closure, or other circumstance due to an emergency, prevented the student from having the opportunity to fulfill this requirement.

(c) One-half credit shall be required in contemporary world history, geography, and problems. Courses in economics, sociology, civics, political science, international relations, or related courses with emphasis on contemporary world problems may be accepted as equivalencies.

(d) One-half credit shall be required in civics and include at a minimum the content listed in RCW 28A.230.093.

(5) One-half credits of health.

(6) One and one-half credits of physical education. Students may be excused from the physical education requirement under RCW 28A.230.050. Such excused students shall be required to demonstratemastery of the knowledge portion of the physical education requirement, in accordance with written district policy. Such policies should be based upon addressing health and physical education learning standards as well as alternative means of engaging in physical activities, as directed in RCW 28A.210.365.

(7) One arts credit. The essential content in this subject area may be satisfied in the visual or performing arts.

(8) One credit in career and technical education or occupational education.

(a) "Occupational education" means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate mastery of skills under student learning goal four and which skills are required for success in current and emerging occupations. At a minimum, these competencies shall align with the definition of an exploratory course as contained in the career and technical education program standards of the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(b) Students who earn a graduation requirement credit through a career and technical education course determined by the district or by the office of the superintendent of public instruction to be equivalent to a noncareer and technical education course will not be required to earn a second credit in the noncareer and technical education course subject. The student earns one credit while meeting two graduation requirements, a career and technical education requirement and the noncareer and technical education subject requirement. The total number of credits required for graduation remains unchanged, and the student will need to earn an additional elective credit.

(9) Four credits of electives.

(10) Each student shall have a high school and beyond plan for their high school experience, as described in WAC 180-51-220.

(11) Students who complete and pass all required International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme courses are considered to have satisfied state subject and credit requirements for graduation from a public high school, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.230.090, 28A.230.170, and chapter 28A.230 RCW.

(12) A student with an individualized education program (IEP) must be provided the opportunity to meet graduation requirements that align with the student's high school and beyond plan pursuant to WAC 180-51-115.