Graduation Requirements

All courses taken for high school credit will be included on the student transcript.  Courses taken in grades 9-12 will be considered when calculating the grade point average (GPA).
Courses taken for high school credit in grades 7-8 will be listed on the student transcript as a letter grade but will not be considered when calculating the grade point average (GPA).

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Union Minimum Graduation Requirements:

• Language Arts/English: 4 units which include Grammar and Composition, American Literature, World Literature and English Literature or their equivalent
• Math: 3 units including Algebra I (three units in mathematics must be completed in the ninth through twelfth grades)
• Science: 3 units including Biology I
• History: 3 units including 1/2 (unit or competency) OK History, 1/2 US Government, US History and World History
• Arts Competencies: 2 competencies which will be met through satisfactory completion of World History
• Electives: 9 units

Total.............24 units and/or sets of competencies

College Preparatory/Work Ready Curriculum

•  Language Arts/English: 4 units (which include Grammar, Composition, or any Literature course approved for college admission.)
•  Math: 3 units (limited to Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, Advanced Placement Statistics or any math course with content and/or rigor above Algebra I and approved for college admission)
• Laboratory Sciences: 3 units (limited to Biology, Chemistry, Physics or any laboratory science course with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology and approved for college admission)
• Social Studies: (History and Citizenship Skills) 3 units  (including one unit of American/United States History, one-half unit of Oklahoma History, one-half unit of United States Government, and one credit from the subjects of History, Government, Geography, Economics, Civics or non-Western Culture and approved for college admission.)
• Foreign Language or Computer Technology: 2 credit (two credits of the same Foreign Language or non-English language or two credits of Computer technology approved for college admission.
•  Arts Competencies: 1 competency (achieved through successful completion of Fine Arts class(es) or participation in the YouthArts! Festival under the direction of a Union High School Art teacher.)
• Electives: 8 units (one additional unit must be selected from any of the above or career technology education courses approved for college admission)
• Total: 24 units and/or sets of competencies

*Students may ‘opt-out’ of the college preparatory / work ready curriculum and meet the district’s current minimum diploma requirements by having a parent/guardian sign a release form.

Additional Testing Requirements

In addition to the course requirements of the current standard diploma or the course requirements of the college preparatory/work-ready curriculum, all students must meet the following testing requirements to earn a high school diploma.

• Pass four of seven End-of-Instruction (EOI) exams.
• Students must pass the Algebra I and English II exams.
• In addition to Algebra I and English II, students must pass two of the following five tests:
  • Algebra II
  • Geometry
  • English III
  • Biology
  • U.S. History

For more information about graduation requirements, please contact your student's school counselor.

Achieving Classroom Excellence

In June 2006, Oklahoma lawmakers passed one of the most significant pieces of education legislation in state history.  Achieving Classroom Excellence, or “ACE,” totally changes what students, starting with the class of 2012, must do to earn a high school diploma.

Instead of graduating after passing certain courses, the new law requires students to additionally pass four “end-of-instruction exams.” The four must include Algebra I and English II and two from the following: Algebra II, Geometry, English III, Biology and U.S. History.  End-of-instruction exams have been used in Oklahoma for some time, but passing them has not been required for graduation previously.

In efforts to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy and improve educational opportunities, this legislation was passed to ensure graduates have skills for the workplace — the ability to write well, read technical materials and reason mathematically.  ACE is an attempt to ensure graduation requirements are high, diplomas are meaningful and students are motivated to master skills needed in the 21st century.

Union has always promoted a rigorous curriculum and high academic expectations, but it is important that parents and students are aware of the higher accountability these end-of-instruction exams pose.  It will take a conscious effort for all of us to ensure our students meet the challenge.  Consistent student attendance, good study habits and a focus on classroom achievement will be key to academic success. Parents can encourage academic progress through a stable home environment, frequent communication with teachers and reinforcing a positive attitude toward school.  We look forward to partnering with you in Achieving Classroom Excellence!

Major Elements of ACE

• All students will be enrolled in a College Preparatory/Work-Ready Curriculum unless parents opt them out.
•  All grade students must demonstrate mastery in reading and mathematics or remediation will be offered.
• Passing four end-of-instruction exams is required to obtain a high school diploma.

ACE: Intervention Strategies

End-of-instruction tests will be administered at the end of each course. Students who fail any of the four end-of-instruction tests have up to three chances to pass per calendar year. 

Many students will do well without any extra help.  For those who need it, Union has tutoring, reading and math support programs and an opportunity to take double academic sections rather than electives to assist students.