The Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia effective September 28, 2000, delineate requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma beginning with the ninth grade class of 1998-99 (8 VAC 20-131-50 Requirements for Graduation, paragraph C). Four standard units of credit are required in mathematics in accordance with the first footnote which states, "Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of algebra and shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II." Additionally, The School Administrator’s Handbook of Course Codes, Position Codes and Licensure Endorsement Codes dated July 2000, lists board-approved Courses in Mathematics with a footnote on page 50 reading, "In the advanced studies diploma program, only one unit of credit for a Part I course may be used to satisfy the four required mathematics credits for graduation."

A candidate for an Advanced Studies Diploma must complete coursework through Algebra II. A student might meet the mathematics requirement in several ways. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Mathematical

Analysis

(b) Algebra I, Part I; Algebra I, Part II; Geometry,

Algebra II

(c) Algebra I; Geometry, Part I; Geometry, Part II;

Algebra II

In all examples, students meet the requirements stated in the Standards of Accreditation and in the School Administrator’s Handbook. A student taking Algebra I,

Part I; Algebra I, Part II; Geometry, Part I; and Geometry, Part II would not meet these requirements and would not be eligible for an Advanced Studies Diploma.

If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Kiger Lyman,(mailto:dlyman@mail.vak12ed.edu), secondary mathematics specialist at(804)786-6418.
 
 
 
 

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