This section describes the statewide minimum credit and subject areas requirements for high school graduation for students who entered the ninth grade or began the equivalent of a four-year high school program prior to July 1, 2012 (the class of 2015 and previous classes). This section applies to students of the applicable graduation cohorts in high school completion programs at community and technical colleges.

(1) The minimum credit and subject area requirements, except as noted in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, are as follows:

(a) Three English credits (reading, writing, and communications) that at minimum align with grade level expectations for ninth and tenth grade, plus content that is determined by the district.

(b) Two science credits (physical, life, and earth) that at minimum align with grade level expectations for ninth and tenth grade, plus content that is determined by the district. At least one credit in laboratory science is required which shall be defined locally.

(c) Two and one-half social studies credits that at minimum align with the state's learning standards in civics, economics, geography, history, and social studies skills at grade ten and/or above plus content that is determined by the district. The social studies requirement shall consist of the following mandatory courses or equivalencies:

(i) One credit shall be required in United States history and government which shall include study of the Constitution of the United States.

(ii) Under the provisions of RCW 28A.230.170 and 28A.230.090, one-half credit shall be required in Washington state history and government which shall include study of the Constitution of the state of Washington and shall include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian peoples who were the first inhabitants of the state. If taken in seventh or eighth grade, this course may meet the state history and government graduation requirement. However, the course may only count as a high school credit if the academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes or is equivalent to a course offered at a high school in the district as determined by the school district board of directors (RCW 28A.230.090). The study of the United States and Washington state Constitutions shall not be waived but may be fulfilled through an alternative learning experience approved locally under written district policy. Secondary school students who have completed and passed a state history and government course of study in another state, and students who transferred from another state as eleventh or twelfth grade students who have or will have earned two credits in social studies at graduation, may have the Washington state history and government requirement waived.

(iii) One 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 current problems may be accepted as equivalencies.

(d) One-half credit of health.

(e) 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 demonstrate proficiency/competency in the knowledge portion of the physical education requirement, in accordance with written district policy. Such policies that should be based upon meeting both health and physical education curricula concepts as well as alternative means of engaging in physical activities, as directed in RCW 28A.210.365.

(f) One arts credit that at minimum is aligned to learning standards.

(g) One credit in career and technical education or occupational education. Courses that meet this requirement include courses that are part of career and technical education programs, as defined in chapter 28A.700 RCW, or occupational education courses as identified by the district. "Occupational education" means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate competency of skills under student learning goal four (RCW 28A.150.210) and 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. Districts are encouraged to offer career and technical education programs, as defined in RCW 28A.700.010.

(i) An exception of the career and technical education requirement may be made for private schools as provided in WAC 180-90-160.

(ii) A student who earns 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 per RCW 28A.700.070, will not be required to pass a course in the noncareer and technical education subject to earn a credit in the noncareer and technical education subject. The single career and technical education course equivalency meets two graduation requirements, the career and technical education subject area graduation requirement and the noncareer and technical education subject area graduation requirement. The student therefore has an additional elective credit.

(h) Five and one-half credits of electives. Districts may replace these credits with local district requirements through written district policy.

(i) Each student shall have a high school and beyond plan for their high school experience, that informs course-taking and that is aligned with the student's postsecondary goals.

(2) For students who entered ninth grade prior to July 1, 2009 (graduating classes preceding the class of 2013), additional graduation requirements are as follows:

(a) The total minimum number of credits required for high school graduation is nineteen.

(b) Two mathematics credits that at minimum align with mathematics grade level expectations for ninth and tenth grade, plus content that is determined by the district.

(3) For students who entered ninth grade as of July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2012 (the class of 2013 through the class of 2015), additional graduation requirements are as follows:

(a) The total minimum number of credits required for high school graduation is twenty.

(b) Three mathematics credits that align with the high school mathematics standards as developed and revised by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and satisfy the requirements set forth below:

(i) Unless otherwise provided for in (b)(ii) of this subsection, the three mathematics credits required under this section must include:

(A) Algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I;

(B) Geometry or integrated mathematics II; and

(C) Algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III.

(ii) A student may elect to pursue a third credit of high school-level mathematics, other than algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III, 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.