Graduation
Playbook
A guide to the resources available to support
students with earning an LAUSD diploma.
Download Playbook HERE
The Los Angeles Unified School District proudly introduces the Graduation Playbook, a comprehensive resource designed to support students and their families on the journey to high school graduation and postsecondary success. Developed through collaboration across multiple departments and divisions, the Graduation Playbook equips families with essential tools and guidance to navigate the path toward a bright and successful future for all LAUSD students.
Graduation Rate Goals
Strategic Plan Targets
Meeting the LAUSD Graduation Requirements
A combination of three different subsets of requirements
Graduation Requirements
A-G Subject Areas
C- Mathematics
L.A. Unified policy requires students to be enrolled in mathematics courses in grades 9 through 11.
Grade 12 enrollment in a Math course is strongly recommended.
D- Science
One year may be a science course from the G subject area
Integrated or Interdisciplinary Science may fulfill either one year of a biological science or physical science, as needed
E- Language Other Than English (LOTE)
A-G-approved LOTE courses completed in Grades 7 and 8 may be used to satisfy the E requirement.
Students will not receive high school numerical credit for courses completed in middle school.
F- Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
Disciplines: Dance, Music, Theatre/Drama, Visual Arts
VPA requirement can be met at any grade level (9th-12th)
G- College Prep Elective
Can be met by completing two semesters from the list of “G” approved courses
If a student completes a course from the “A-F” subject areas beyond the minimum requirements, this course may be used to satisfy the “G” requirement
Economics and Principles of American Democracy may be used to satisfy the “G” requirement
Physical Education
Note: Some CIF-sanctioned athletic courses may fulfill the PE requirement.
Health
Note: Course must include one hour of approved CPR training.
Ethnic Studies
Beginning with the Class of 2027, students will be required to successfully complete a one-semester Ethnic Studies course
Non-Course Requirements
Career Pathway - Selected in ninth grade during the annual IGP conference
Service Learning - A project integrated into the academic course curriculum that contains Core Academic Learning, Meaningful Service, Student Voice, Reflection, and Collaboration
210 Numerical Credits - The total number of credits earned by a student in high school must equal or exceed 210
Staying On-Track for Graduation
9-12 Grade Level Promotion
In order to promote to the next grade level, students must earn the total number of credits required as indicated in the chart below:
Note: In order to graduate, the total number of credits earned by a student in high school must equal or exceed 210 Numerical Credits
Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP)
All students in grades 6-12 must have an annual IGP conference with their counselor.
Off-track students must have two conferences per year (one each semester)
During the conference, the counselor will review:
Progress towards each graduation requirement
Grades in current classes
Postsecondary Plans
Plans for future course-taking
All parents are invited to participate in the IGP conference.
Parent Portal
Parents can download the IGP report, the College and Career Readiness Guide, and the Pathways to Graduation report, from the Parent Portal
Contact your child’s counselor for more information on your student’s graduation progress
Course Selection
High school counselors meet with students in the spring to discuss the available course options and help them select classes based on their goals.
These student requests are reviewed by school administration to ensure that the master schedule reflects the needs of the student body.
Supports for Academic Success
Schools have many different programs to help students stay on track with grades of “C” or better.
Options vary by school and can include:
On-demand tutoring: tutor.com/lausd
High-dosage tutoring
In-class instructional interventions
During/after school intervention labs
Course extension opportunities
Credit recovery (grades 9-12)
Instructional Intervention Programs
What?
Intervention resources can be provided by the classroom teacher to secondary students when they need extra support. Interventions are intended to fill gaps in learning and prevent low grades.
How?
“Just-in-Time” intervention resources for ELA and math are assigned during class, any time a student needs extra help meeting Learning Targets or standards.
Edgenuity “Single-Standard Concept Recovery Lessons” are online additional teaching and practice in ELA, Math, History and Science.
Teacher-created interventions can be personally designed for individuals or groups of students.
Course Extension Options
What?
These options are for secondary students wishing to fill gaps in learning and improve a low end-of-course grade. The new grade earned will replace the prior grade on their transcript. This option must take place in the semester immediately following that in which the low grade was recorded.
How?
“Academic Course Extension (ACE)” provides additional assignments and assessments. Students take part by agreement with their teacher who had recorded the low grade.
Edgenuity “Fall & Spring Booster Modules”: are online intensive learning resources based on key standards from the prior semester.
Teacher-created course extension options can be personally designed for individuals or groups of students.
High School Credit Recovery
What?
Credit recovery is for high school students who have taken but not passed a course required for graduation, or those with a D who want to earn a higher grade. Grades from credit recovery courses will be added to student transcripts. Schools have many different ways for students to retake a class and earn credits for graduation.
How?
“Performance Assessment Student Support (PASS): is a modular option for ELA and Math courses designed for intensive learning, taught in the classroom.
Edgenuity provides virtual programs in all subjects, taught online.
Students can also re-take a course during the semester, in Summer Term, or via other options offered by the school.
Program Availability
Speak to your child’s counselor about what instructional support programs are available, and when they are provided. There are multiple scheduling options that vary by school
Before, during, or after the school day
Saturdays
Summer Term
Winter/Spring Academies
School-designed programs
Marketable for College and Career
The Junior and Senior College journals provide valuable information about the journey from preparing to apply to persisting in college.
3 ways to access:
on the A-G website
print copies by school request
assigned by counselor in Schoology
The College and Career Readiness Guide is a comprehensive tool designed to complement the Individualized Graduation Plan meetings, held annually between counselors, students, and parents; helping to shape conversations around postsecondary options.
Naviance is a web-based College Access application that LA Unified provides for free for students in middle and high school. The goal of Naviance is to provide an in-depth tool for students to begin the process of self-discovery, career exploration, and college matching.
College and Career Readiness Days are designed to assist all high school seniors with postsecondary planning. This includes applying to college, completing financial aid applications, applying for scholarships, planning for employment, and planning for internships.
College fairs by region bring the entire community together to learn about college readiness, engage with admissions officers, and begin the financial aid process.
LAUSD offers a wide selection of advanced classes.
Speak to your child’s counselor to find out the classes available at your school.
Advanced Placement Courses- Encourage students to enroll in AP classes. These courses offer college-level curriculum and can earn college credits.
Honors Classes- Recommend honors classes. They challenge students and prepare them for college-level work.
Maintain Academic Excellence- Encourage students to aim for a GPA above 3.0 to be competitive for college admissions, scholarships and financial aid.
High school mathematics acceleration pathways are available for students who wish to complete advanced math courses
Students can enroll in college courses while in high school
Some of the courses satisfy college requirements for general education, certificates or an AA/AS degree as well as high school credit towards graduation
Additional College Courses:
National Ed Equity
LACCD
Students have the opportunity to enroll in online enrichment classes and to take additional A-G coursework that may not be offered at their school.
For more information on graduation and available programs, reach out to your child’s school counselor.