Grade placement & acceleration

No state credit total — local requirements plus a readiness menu

Colorado's graduation guidelines require no specific courses or number of courses; local boards set graduation requirements. Students must show readiness in English and math through a state menu of options (one measure each).

• Civics is the one course required by state law.
• Competency-based programs and credit for work-based learning are decided locally.

C.R.S. 22-2-106 (graduation guidelines) · Colorado Department of Education (CDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

25 credits (class of 2027 and later)

Connecticut students need at least 25 credits, plus the state's financial aid application requirement.

• At least 9 humanities (including civics and the arts), 9 STEM, 1 physical education and wellness, 1 health and safety, 1 world language, and ½ personal finance (which can count toward humanities, STEM or electives).

C.G.S. §10-221a · Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Mastery-based credit and proficiency exams — local board decides

State law lets local boards grant credit without seat time — for demonstrated mastery, grade 7–8 courses that match high school courses, world language study proven by exam, or a passing grade on a Commissioner-approved subject proficiency exam. Each board decides which credits it accepts.

• World language credit by exam is limited to 4 credits.

C.G.S. §10-221a(g)–(h) · Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Standard diploma: 24 credits

Students who entered grade 9 in 2023–24 or later need 24 credits for the standard Florida diploma, plus passing results on the grade 10 English language arts and Algebra I assessments (or allowed substitute scores).

• English 4, math 4 (including Algebra I and Geometry), science 3 (including Biology I; two with a lab), social studies 3 (U.S. history, world history, economics ½, government ½), arts/speech/career education 1, physical education with health 1, personal financial literacy ½, electives 7½.
• End-of-course exams in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I and U.S. History count for 30% of the course grade.
• An 18-credit career and technical pathway and the 18-credit ACCEL option also exist.

F.S. §1003.4282 · Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Credit Acceleration Program (CAP): course credit by passing the exam

A Florida student can earn high school credit for a course required for graduation without enrolling in it, by passing that course's statewide end-of-course assessment, an AP exam or a CLEP exam. Districts must award the credit.

• Districts must let public school and home education students take the exam during its regular administration.

F.S. §1003.4295(3) · Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

23 units

Georgia students need at least 23 units of credit to graduate.

• English language arts 4, math 4, science 4 (the fourth may also count as an elective), social studies 3, career/technical, world language and/or fine arts 3, health and physical education 1, electives 4.

State Board Rule 160-4-2-.48 · Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Subject-area competency: up to 3 units by assessment

Local boards must award a unit of credit when a student shows subject-area competency by reaching a set score on a state-adopted or approved assessment, following GaDOE guidance. A student can earn at most 3 units this way.

State Board Rule 160-5-1-.15(2)(f) · Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Required courses in years (no state credit total)

Illinois sets minimum required courses by years of study rather than a total credit count; districts set the total. Requirements below are for students entering grade 9 in 2024–25 or later.

• Language arts 4 years (with two writing-intensive courses), math 3 (including Algebra I and geometry content), computer literacy 1, laboratory science 2, social studies 2 (including U.S. history and a semester of civics), and 1 year of music, art, world language, career and technical education or speech and debate.
• The law adds 2 years of world language (or approved career coursework) for students entering in 2028–29.

105 ILCS 5/27-605 (formerly 5/27-22) · Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Every district must have an accelerated placement policy

Illinois requires each district to have an accelerated placement policy open to all students who show high ability, not only those identified as gifted. Students who exceed state standards on the state test are automatically enrolled in the next more advanced course; parents are notified and may opt out.

• A district's policy may waive a required graduation course when the district finds the student has shown mastery or competency, with documentation — a district option.

105 ILCS 5/14A-32 (Accelerated Placement Act) · Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

State minimums in years of study (no state credit total)

Maine sets minimum years of study, or the equivalent in standards achievement; local school units may add requirements. The statewide proficiency-based diploma law was repealed in 2019.

• English 4, social studies and history 2 (including American history, government, civics and personal finance), math 2, science 2 (at least one with a lab), fine arts 1.

20-A M.R.S. §4722 · Maine Department of Education ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Multiple pathways, including exams — local policy

Maine students may show they meet the standards through multiple pathways and measures, including examinations, portfolios and projects, and a diploma may be awarded in fewer than four years. There is no statewide credit-by-exam procedure; school units set it.

20-A M.R.S. §4722(2), (5) · Maine Department of Education ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

At least 22 credits (students entering grade 9 in 2021–22 or later)

Current Maryland high school students need at least 22 credits, a math course in every year of high school and a locally designed environmental literacy program.

• English 4, math 4 (including algebra and geometry), lab science 3, social studies 3 (U.S. history, world history, government), fine arts 1, physical education ½, health 1, computer science/engineering/technology 1, and either 2 credits of the same world language (ASL counts) or a state-approved career program.

COMAR 13A.03.02.03 · Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Credit through examination is a local school-system option

Maryland lets local school systems award credit to students who pass an exam on the course objectives, at their discretion. Middle school students must get high school credit for a high school course when they meet the same requirements.

• A student short only the English 12 credit may earn it by passing a state-approved exam.

COMAR 13A.03.02.04 · Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Local requirements plus the Competency Determination (no state credit total)

A Massachusetts diploma requires the state Competency Determination and the district's own graduation requirements; there is no statewide credit total. Since the 2024 ballot question, MCAS passing scores are no longer the route — for the class of 2027 and later the Competency Determination is full credit in specified coursework.

• Coursework for the Competency Determination (class of 2027+): 2 years of English, Algebra I and Geometry (or Integrated Math I and II), 1 year of biology, chemistry, physics or technology/engineering, and 1 year of U.S. history.
• MassCore — 4 English, 4 math, 3 lab science, 3 history, 2 of one world language, 1 arts and 5 more core courses — is recommended by the state, not required.
• DESE says a statewide graduation framework was recommended in June 2026 and updates will follow.

603 CMR 30.03 · Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

No statewide credit-by-exam rule — left to districts

Massachusetts has no statewide credit-by-examination or acceleration rule. Each district's Competency Determination policy may recognize mastery through a course final assessment, a capstone or portfolio, or an equivalent measure the district names.

603 CMR 30.02 · Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

At least 20 credits

New Hampshire requires at least 20 credits (local boards may require more). The table below applies to students entering high school in 2026–27.

• Arts ½, digital literacy ½, English 3½, math 3, physical science 1, biological science 1, U.S. and N.H. history and government (several half-credit courses plus 1 credit), economics ½, financial literacy ½, world history/global studies/geography 1, health ½, physical education 1, open electives 4.

N.H. Admin. Rules Ed 306.23 · New Hampshire Department of Education ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Competency-based credit statewide

New Hampshire awards credit for achieving competencies, not for time spent. Students can show competency with a collection of evidence, a district course assessment or a Department-approved assessment, and may earn credit for prior learning shown at a proficient level.

• Extended learning opportunities (outside the classroom) must be available to all students and can earn credit under local board policy.
• Students must still take English and math in every year of high school.

N.H. Admin. Rules Ed 306.22 · New Hampshire Department of Education ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

At least 120 credits

New Jersey requires at least 120 credits and passing the state graduation proficiency test in English and math (or an allowed substitute or portfolio appeal).

• English 20, math 15, science 15, social studies 15, financial and economic literacy 2½, health and physical education 3¾ per year enrolled, visual and performing arts 5, world languages 5 (or Novice-High proficiency), career readiness 5.

N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)1 · New Jersey Department of Education ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Every district must offer credit by assessment

Each New Jersey district board must set up a process for granting credit through assessments showing the student meets the state standards at the high school level; the assessments may be taken before high school and may be designed locally. Districts may also count individualized learning with demonstrated competency.

• Districts must also approve AP, CLEP, IB and dual-enrollment options and award credit for approved college courses.

N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)2 · New Jersey Department of Education ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

22 credits plus Regents exams (changes coming from 2027–28)

New York diplomas require 22 credits and passing Regents exams (or approved alternatives) in English, math, science and social studies plus one pathway. In September 2026 the Board of Regents moved toward a single diploma without the Regents-exam requirement; current rules stay until new regulations are approved.

• English 4, social studies 4, science 3, math 3, world language 1, arts 1, physical education 2, health ½, electives 3½.

8 NYCRR 100.5 · New York State Education Department (NYSED) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Credit by examination: Regents score 85+ plus an oral exam or project

A superintendent may let a student earn credit for a Regents course without taking it when the student scores 85 or higher on the Regents exam and passes an oral exam or completes a special project — up to 6½ credits. It is optional for the district.

• Students the superintendent finds ready can take high school courses for credit in grade 8.

8 NYCRR 100.5(d)(1); 100.4(d) · New York State Education Department (NYSED) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Local credit requirements plus a statewide graduation pathway

Pennsylvania sets no statewide credit total: each school board adopts course and grade requirements. Students must also show proficiency through the Keystone Exams or one of the state's pathways to graduation (in place since the class of 2023).

• A half-credit personal finance course is required in grades 9–12 starting in 2026–27.

22 Pa. Code §4.24 · Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Keystone Exam before the course; credit is the district's choice

Schools must let a student who scored Advanced on the related state test (PSSA) take a Keystone Exam before taking the course. A school may then give course credit without the course when the student scores Advanced on the Keystone Exam.

22 Pa. Code §4.24(c)(1)(iii)(A) · Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Foundation High School Program: 22 credits, 26 with an endorsement

Texas public high school students follow the Foundation High School Program: at least 22 credits, or at least 26 credits when the student also earns an endorsement.

• 22 credits: English 4, math 3 (including Algebra I and Geometry), science 3 (including Biology), social studies 3, languages other than English 2, physical education 1, fine arts 1, electives 5.
• An endorsement adds a fourth math and a fourth science credit and two more electives (26 credits), plus the endorsement's own course requirements.

19 TAC §74.12, §74.13 · Texas Education Agency (TEA) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Credit by Examination (CBE): skip a grade or earn course credit by passing an exam

Every Texas school district must offer free credit-by-examination tests. Students can be advanced a grade in grades 1–5, or earn credit for a course in grades 6–12 without taking it, by reaching the state score on an exam approved by the local school board. It is a state requirement, not a local option.

• Grades 1–5 (whole-grade acceleration): the student must be advanced one grade if they score 80% on a criterion-referenced test for the grade to be skipped in each of language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, a district representative recommends it, and a parent or guardian approves in writing (19 TAC §74.24(b)). Kindergarten acceleration follows procedures the local board approves. The statute describes the same rule as scoring in the 80th percentile on each section (TEC §28.023(b)).
• Grades 6–12 without prior instruction: credit is awarded for 80% on a board-approved criterion-referenced test, a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, or a scaled score of 50 or higher on a CLEP exam (19 TAC §74.24(c)(8); TEC §28.023(c), (c-1)). The score goes on the transcript, and the student does not take the end-of-course (EOC) exam for that course.
• Grades 6–12 with some prior instruction: under local district policy, a student may get credit for 70% on a board-approved criterion-referenced test (19 TAC §74.24(c)(12)). This is a district option, not a statewide right.
• Each school board approves at least four exams per subject, including AP and CLEP; districts may use exams from Texas Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, their own or another qualified provider.
• Districts give the exams at least four times a year — one window in each quarter (January–March, April–June, July–September, October–December) — and publish the dates. A student may try a given course exam at most twice.
• A district may not charge for acceleration or credit-by-examination exams (19 TAC §74.24(a)(3); TEA).
• Ask the school counselor or the district office for the district's CBE testing dates and how to sign up.

TEC §28.023; 19 TAC §74.24 · Texas Education Agency (TEA) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Texas CBE explained and prep links ↑

Standard Diploma: 22 standard credits + 5 verified credits

Students who entered grade 9 in 2018–19 or later need 22 standard credits and 5 verified credits (a verified credit means also passing the course's end-of-course SOL test or an approved substitute).

• English 4 (2 verified), math 3 (1 verified), lab science 3 (1 verified), history and social science 3 (1 verified), health and PE 2, world language/fine arts/career education 2, economics and personal finance 1, electives 4.

8VAC20-132-51 · Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026

Credit without seat time — a school-division option

A Virginia school division may waive the 140-hour requirement for a standard credit under a written, board-approved policy, when it can show the student learned the content; the student may then take the SOL test for verified credit.

8VAC20-132-110 · Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) ↗ · Checked Oct 10, 2026