Graduation Requirements

The Kingsport Board of Education sets the following minimum requirements for students to graduate from Dobyns-Bennett High School. Individual students may choose from the university path, technical path, or a dual path (combining both). The following graduation requirements, stated in terms of credits, are established for each path:

*      Specific course requirements apply in these subjects.  (See below)

**    Computer-related course (for Appalachian Inter-Mountain Scholars requirement) or additional elective.

The Dobyns-Bennett High School administration is authorized and directed to implement a plan to adjust graduation requirements for students transferring from other systems (with different requirements). The Superintendent of Schools shall authorize a plan to adjust graduation requirements for students in the Dobyns-Bennett Regional Adult High School. In all cases, the adjusted credit requirements shall meet or exceed applicable state requirements.

A maximum of one (1) credit earned in an approved correspondence course may be applied toward the graduation requirements. No more than two (2) credits may be earned as a "crossover" student (an approved plan of dual enrollment in the Dobyns-Bennett Regional Adult High School and the regular high school program).  The Dobyns-Bennett principal may approve additional correspondence or crossover courses to be applied toward graduation requirements if special circumstances exist.

Additional graduation requirements are established by the State. For students entering 9th grade prior to 2001-2002, a passing score on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program Competency Test is required. Beginning with the freshman class of 2001-2002, a passing score is required on the Mathematics, Science, and Language Arts Gateway Exams.

The special education diploma shall be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed an individualized education program, and who have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct, but who have not met Gateway Exams standards.  The Superintendent of Schools may adjust graduation requirements for special education students receiving a regular diploma.  Administrative law will be followed when issuing a regular diploma to students identified with special needs. 

Participation in a graduation ceremony is not a graduation requirement. Students eligible for graduation shall be given an option to participate in the graduation ceremony or not to participate nor attend. Students who elect to participate in the graduation ceremony shall follow established participation guidelines and are considered students under the authority of the school. Within one week following the graduation ceremony, the diploma (or other certificate) shall be mailed to all graduates with no financial or disciplinary obligations.

The requirements for graduation include:

A.        English

Four (4) courses in English (to satisfy the minimum of 4 credits)

1.      English 9 College Preparatory  (or English 9 Honors or English 9)0 (1 credit)

2.      English 10 College Preparatory (or English 10 Honors or English 10 ) (1 credit)

3.      English 11 College Preparatory (or English 11 Honors or English 11 or Advanced Placement English 11) (1 credit)

4.      English 12 College Preparatory (or English 12 Honors or English 12 or Applied Communications or Advanced Placement English 12) (1 credit)

B.         Social Studies

Three (3) courses in Social Studies (to satisfy the minimum of 3 credits)

1.      World History or World Geography or Advanced Placement European History (1 credit)

2.      United States History (or Advanced United States History or Advanced Placement United
States History) (1 credit)

3.      Economics and American Government (½ credit each) (or Advanced Economics and Advanced American Government) (1 credit)

C.       Science

Three (3) courses in Science are required, one course must be Biology or Biology for Technology (to satisfy the minimum of 3 credits); another must be a Physical Science class, i.e. chemistry, geology, physics, environmental science.  The third is an elective.

D.        Math

Beginning with the 9^th grade class of 2005-2006, satisfactory completion of the following three (3) courses in Math or higher are required for the specified diploma.

1.      University Track:          Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (1 credit each)

2.      Dual Track:                  Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (1 credit each)

3.      Technical Track:           Foundations II, Algebra T, and Geometry T (1 credit each)

For students entering prior to 2005-2006, three (3) courses in Math or higher level Math courses, determined by the "track," (to satisfy the minimum of 3 credits)*

4.      University Track:          Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (1 credit each)

5.      Dual Track:                  Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (1 credit each)

6.      Technical Track:           Foundations I, Foundations II, Algebra I (1 credit each)

[*NOTE: If students successfully complete Algebra I and/or Geometry courses in middle school, they will serve as prerequisites in the sequences above; they may not, however, be accepted as credit(s) toward fulfilling graduation requirements. The record of these courses will be part of a student's permanent record and appear on the student's transcript.]

E.         Foreign Language

Two (2) required credits in foreign language in the same area (i.e., Spanish I and Spanish II).

F.         Technical

Four (4) required technical credits within a specific cluster for Technical Degree students (Introduction to Information Technology applies to all cluster areas).