Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs)

The Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) was written and passed by the South Carolina legislature to create the context and infrastructure needed by schools to implement changes from kindergarten through postsecondary education. Specifically, the legislation requires high schools to: 1) Revise the secondary curriculum around organized clusters with major areas of academic focus consisting of electives that relate to preparation of post-secondary plans. 2) Develop an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) that lists the academic courses required for both graduation and entry into post-secondary education, courses related to the student’s selected major, and includes extended learning activities such as internships and job shadowing

The purpose of the Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) is to assist students and their parents in exploring educational and professional possibilities and in making appropriate secondary and postsecondary decisions. The IGP is based on the course work, assessments, and counseling in middle and high school. An IGP consists of the state high school graduation requirements and/or college entrance requirements. In addition, course recommendations for successful completion of a major that aligns to postsecondary education and the workplace are included. School counselors begin working with students regarding interests, academies, majors, postsecondary choices, and high school options through individual and group counseling in the sixth grade. This includes information on academic and professional goals, career activities, and access to career resources. Teacher and parental involvement throughout this process is critical. 

In the spring of eighth grade, students choose one of the four academies of study to explore. This takes place during an individual planning conference with a school counselor, the student, and his or her parent(s). Students are not required to complete a major.

During the Individual Graduation Plan conference with parents, students and counselors, students may select course requests for classes for the upcoming school year.