High School graduation requirements changing

by Dr. Derek Begay
Assistant Superintendent, San Juan School District
To graduate from high school under Utah State Board of Education (USBE) standards, students must complete a minimum of 24 units of credit across a diverse range of disciplines.
The core curriculum is anchored by 4.0 units of Language Arts and 3.0 units of Mathematics, with a unique provision that allows students who pass Calculus with a "C" or better to satisfy their entire math requirement regardless of credit count.
Students must also complete 3.0 units of Science (choosing from foundation areas like Biology, Chemistry, or Computer Science) and 3.0 units of Social Studies, though this requirement will increase to 3.5 units starting with the sophomore class of the 2026-27 school year or graduating class of 2029 to emphasize American Constitutional Government.
Beyond the primary academics, the state mandates a well-rounded foundation in life skills and the arts.
Requirements include 1.5 units in Fine Arts, 1.5 units in Physical Education, and specific half-credit courses in Health, Digital Studies, and General Financial Literacy.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is also prioritized with a 1.0 unit requirement to prepare students for the modern workforce.
While the state sets these minimums, local education agencies (LEAs) maintain the authority to require additional credits or elective offerings to meet community standards.
The policy emphasizes flexibility and mastery over mere seat time.
Specialized provisions are in place for students with disabilities, allowing IEP teams to modify graduation requirements or assessments while maintaining educational integrity.
Finally, all students must demonstrate civic readiness ensuring that every graduate enters adulthood with a fundamental understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
This was offered through a civics test, but that is no longer required, instead a newly added course will embed Constitutional Government and Citizenship.
Here is a comparison between the current graduation requirements and the upcoming changes for students entering their sophomore year in the 2026-2027 school year or the Class of 2029 and beyond.
•Under the new rules (HB 518/HB 312), the "American Constitutional Government and Citizenship" requirement is expanded and must be taught as two distinct semester courses rather than one.
Key Takeaways for the 2026-27 Change
• The "Trade-Off": To keep the total graduation requirement at 24 credits, the state has moved 0.5 credits from the "Electives" category into "Social Studies."
• Course Duplication: Students are now strictly prohibited from taking the same semester course twice to satisfy these graduation requirements.
• Civics Focus: The new 1.0 unit requirement for American Constitutional Government and Citizenship ensures a deeper dive into foundational documents and the roles of government officials.
• 2026-27 School Year: USBE graduation requirements key changes include 3.5 Social Studies credits (up from 3.0) to enhanced American civics instruction, and decrease elective credits to 5.0 (down from 5.5).
• Social Studies (Updated): 3.5 credits, including updated American Constitutional Government and Citizenship instruction. A new requirement for enhanced instruction on the U.S. Constitution and foundational documents and the roles of government officials will be implemented.
Graduation dates for San Juan School District high schools.
• Monticello High School - Wednesday, May 20, 2026 @ 7 pm
• San Juan High School - Thursday, May 21, 2026 @ 9 am
• Navajo Mountain High School - Friday, May 22, 2026 @ 10 am
• Monument Valley High School - Friday, May 22, 2026 @ 2 pm
• Whitehorse High School - Saturday, May 23, 2026 @ 9 am