Curriculum

April 2007

 RE:  2010 College Preparatory Studies Certificates (CPSC)

 The College Preparatory Studies Certificate (CPSC) requirements for the graduating class of 2010 have been updated to correspond to the new graduation requirements.  To begin helping your counselor(s) determine who will earn the certificate for the graduating class of 2010, they can view the new Requirements for the College Preparatory Studies Certificate in Appendix B (page 18) of the new Graduation Handbook, at: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/Graduation_Handbook_2010.pdf

 Subject requirements are changed from the previous 24 units to 25 units, to include: 4 Communication Arts, 4 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 1 Fine Arts, 1 Practical Arts, .5 Personal Finance, .5 Health, 1 Physical Education, and 7 Electives (which include 3 Specified Core Electives plus 4 General Electives).  The student still needs at least a 3.0 grade point average and to score above the prior year’s national average on the SAT or the ACT.  However, one additional requirement will be to maintain an attendance rate of at least 95 percent in high school (grades 9-12). 

A note about this year’s CPSC orders:  It is time to order these certificates for this year’s class (dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/collegeprep/).  Your counselor needs to print the order form, complete it, obtain the necessary signatures, and fax it to the number on the form.  Because the CPSC is awarded by the State Board of Education, schools may not modify requirements for students to qualify. 

We encourage high schools to take advantage of this state‑level recognition program for students.  Please share the information in this letter with your counselor(s). 

If you should have any other questions, please feel free to contact my office at 573/751‑4234.

Stan Johnson
Assistant Commissioner
Division of School Improvement