New Graduation Criteria for Government High Schools

The Ministry of Education, Training & Employment has established new criteria for graduation from government high schools. These criteria have been produced following extensive stakeholder consultation and will apply to all students graduating from government schools from June 2014. The criteria from 2014 will, for the first time, include academic criteria.

The new criteria for graduation:

1. Academic criteria will be included in the requirements for graduation.
2. Academic achievement will be recognised at different, ascending tiers of attainment.
3. Three tiers of attainment will be recognised:
• Level 1 High School Diploma,
• Level 2 High School Diploma,
• Level 2 High School Diploma with honours.
4. The criteria for each are:
1. Level 1 High School Diploma: at least 5 passes at Level 1, which must include English and mathematics, numeracy or mathematics functional skills,
2. Level 2 High School Diploma: at least 5 passes at level 2, which must include English and mathematics (CXC, GCSE, IGCSE, AS or AP),
3. Level 2 High School Diploma, with honours: at least 7 passes at level 2, which must include English and mathematics (CXC, GCSE, IGCSE, AS or AP).
5. In addition to the academic criteria other criteria will be:
   
   1. 90% or more attendance, including authorised absence, during Years 10-12,
   2. Less than 15 days suspension during Years 10-12.
6. If students remain suspension-free over a period of time (e.g. a whole term) they can “work off” days of suspension through agreed and monitored community service, in order to meet the graduation criteria.
7. Special Educational Needs students studying within mainstream education at the high schools should be able to access at least the Level 1 diploma, and so no separate diploma is required. Students from Lighthouse School will receive a separate diploma. A joint graduation may be considered.
8. Additional criteria to be added (currently under development):
1. Citizenship,
2. Community service.

Last Updated: 2012-02-17