What is the online course requirement for graduation?

For students entering ninth grade beginning in 2011–12 and beyond, at least one course required for graduation must be completed through online learning.

What is the definition of an online course to meet this requirement?

An online course is a formal education program involving student–teacher interaction in which a student learns mostly through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace.

Are students seeking diplomas other than the standard 24-credit high-school diploma required to meet the online course graduation requirement (e.g., 18-credit, special diplomas)?

No. Only students seeking the standard 24-credit high-school diploma must meet this graduation requirement.

How can students seeking the 24-credit standard diploma meet this requirement?

Students may meet this requirement by completing an online high school course offered by:

• Florida Virtual School (FLVS) or Pinellas Virtual (PVS)
• A district high school (to include traditional district schools, district franchises, and virtual charter schools)
• A postsecondary school as an online dual enrollment course
• District virtual instruction programs
• District middle school (as long as the course was high school level).

Are students required to pass the online course to meet the online graduation requirement?

Yes. Section 1003.428, Florida Statutes (F.S.), specifies the course must be within the 24 credits and completed through online learning.

The legislation states that an online course taken in grades 6–8 fulfills this requirement. Does this mean an online middle school course fulfills this requirement?

The course has to be a high school level class taken in middle school in order to fulfill the 24 credits required for high school graduation.

Does the online course need to be taught by a qualified, Florida-certified instructor?

Yes. The teacher providing the instruction (online or face-to-face) must meet the certification requirements for instructional staff under Chapter 1012, F.S., and be certified to teach the course. Information on certification requirements for specific courses can be found in the Course Code Directory.

If a student successfully completes half of a full credit online class, does that mean that the student has met the graduation requirement?

No. The law specifies that one course within the 24 credits must be completed through online learning. Therefore, the student must complete a course. If it is a year-long course, then the student must earn the full year's credit to meet the graduation requirement.

Can a half-credit online course meet the online course graduation requirement?

Yes. A half-credit online course may meet this requirement as long as it is within the 24 credits required for graduation. If the course taken is only a semester-long, then that is all that is required for the students to earn the online credit.

Can credit-recovery online courses be used to meet the online course graduation requirement?

Yes, as long as the student earns high school credit through an online course as defined in question 2. This does NOT include classes taken on APEX.

If a student takes a course with online and face-to-face components in a computer lab or classroom in a district school, will the course still meet this graduation requirement?

Yes, as long as the course meets the requirements for an online course as defined in question 2. Ask your counselor if you are  not sure if one of your classes is considered online or not.

If a course were taught using an e-book in a traditional classroom, would that meet the online course graduation requirement?

No. This would not meet the requirement.

If the course were taught in a traditional classroom using an interactive white board and digital readers, would that meet the online course graduation requirement?

No. This would not meet the requirement.

Need to register for an online class? Check out the instructions for How to Register for an Online Class on FLVS.