Hey folks, I'm a bit confused here. Just how many years of history are typically required in high school? Does it depend on the state or can it vary by individual school? Any clarification would be much appreciated.
High school graduation requirements indeed vary widely depending on the state and sometimes by the individual school. Each state's Department of Education provides a guide that outlines the minimum course requirements to graduate.
Most states, however, mandate a minimum of 3-4 years of Social Studies or History for high school graduation. This generally includes U.S history, world history, government/civics, and occasionally geography or state history. For example, a typical sequence might be World History in 9th grade, U.S History in 10th or 11th grade, and Government or Civics in 12th grade.
Additionally, some high schools may have their own requirements which augment the state's. For instance, a school district might mandate a course in world geography or contemporary issues on top of the state requirements.
Remember, these are minimum requirements for graduation. If you're aiming for selective colleges, they'll often expect to see more than the minimum. Most competitive colleges recommend taking history or social science courses each year of high school, including Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if available.
I hope this clears up some of your confusion. If you want specifics for your situtation, I would recommend checking your school's course guide or reaching out to your school's counseling office. They can help clarify exactly what your school requires.
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