In today's society, a high school diploma is the absolute minimum education a person should attain.
Before one can become a doctor, lawyer, nurse, or a high school principal, they must first get the basics which can be achieved by earning a High School Diploma. The specific curriculum required to achieve the diploma varies from state to state, but in general, it requires a certain number of credits in math, science, English and social studies.
Non-College Prep Track
Some states have two high school diploma tracks. The first is the non-college track. This track will provide students who do not plan on going on to college with a high school diploma, and the skills necessary to succeed in a technical/vocational field. For example, for its non-college prep track, Mississippi requires four credits English/language arts, four credits mathematics, three credits science, one credit U.S. history/constitution, 0.5 credit economics, 0.5 credit U.S. government, one credit additional social studies, one credit physical education, and seven credits of electives.
College Prep Track
Most states only have one general track that prepares all of its students for college. This is called the college-prep track. This track usually includes four years in the major course (math, science, English, and social studies), as well has a year of music, health education and two years of physical education. In the State of New York, on top of the minimum requirements, most school districts are allowed to individually require extended requirements before a student can achieve their diploma. This is all done to make sure that the state's students are as prepared for advanced education as possible.
Private Schools
Private schools also have to coincide with the state minimum graduation requirements. However, many private schools, depending on the type, have additional requirements that must be fulfilled. Most Catholic and non-sectarian schools require more years of a foreign language. Many private schools also have more of a focus in mathematics and science, requiring that their students go above and beyond the state requirements. As long as the school's graduation requirements fit into state requirements, they are allowed to develop their own curriculum.
Home Schooling
Some parents decide that a public or private school education is not best for their children, so they opt to educate them at home on their own. However, in this situation, as opposed to private schools, parents are completely able to choose the curriculum that they would like to teach their children, and do not have to develop a set curriculum. Children who are home schooled, however, will usually not be able to achieve a high school diploma, and will have to go the alternate route: the GED.
Diploma Equivalent: the GED
For those who do not complete High School, they have the opportunity to receive the equivalent of the Diploma, which is the GED (General Educational Development). The equivalent will focus on same major courses as the High School Diploma track, but at the end of the GED courses a student will be required to pass an exam. After successful passage of the exam, a GED (the equivalent to a High School Diploma) will be issued.
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