Parents

What is Smart Core?

  • Smart Core is required curriculum that is part of

    Next Step, a state initiative focused on improving Arkansas public high schools for all students so that they are prepared for life beyond graduation.  The goal is to implement educational strategies that are innovative, effective, rigorous, relevant, and rewarding so that students are prepared to compete and be successful in the ever-changing global marketplace.

    High School Graduation Requirements

    For the graduating class of 2010 and beyond, students will be required to meet the Smart Core curriculum requirements of 22 units, which are as follows:

    Smart Core Curriculum - 16 units

    • English - 4 units to be taken in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades
    • Social Studies - 3 units
      • Civic or Civics/American Government
      • World History
      • American History
    • Mathematics - 4 units
      • Algebra I or Algebra A & B (Grades 7-8 or 8-9)
      • Geometry or Investigating Geometry or Geometry A & B (Grades 8-9 or 9-10)
      • Algebra II
      • 1 unit from the following options (Transitions to College Math, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Trigonometry, Statistics, Computer Math, Algebra III or Advanced Placement Math)
      • In addition, all students must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or grade 12 and complete Algebra II)
    • Physical Science - 3 units from the following options:
      • Physical Science
      • Biology
      • Applied Biology/Chemistry
      • Chemistry
      • Physics
      • Principles of Technology I & II
      • PIC Physics
    • Oral Communications - 1/2 unit
    • Physical Education - 1/2 unit
    • Health & Safety - 1/2 unit
    • Fine Arts - 1/2 unit

    Career Focus - 6 units

    • All units in the career focus requirement are established by the local school district. 

    All the core and career focus units must total at least 22 units to graduate.  Local school districts may require additional units for graduation beyond the 16 common core units and six career focus units.

    Beginning with those students who are in 9th grade during 2006-2007, all high school students will participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless the parent or guardian waives the student’s right to participate.  In that event, the curriculum units are the same for the original Common Core curriculum with the exception of 4 units of Mathematics (1 unit of Algebra, 1 unit of Geometry; concurrent credit college courses may be substituted).

    For the graduating classes of 2005 - 2008, a minimum total of 21 units must be earned by a student in grades 9 -12 in order for that student to be entitled to graduate from an Arkansas public high school.  Only one of the units can be a physical education course.  The 21 units are as follows:

    Core - 15 units

    • English - 4 units
    • Social Studies - 3 units (1 unit of World History, 1 unit of U.S. History, 1/2 unit of Civics or Government)
    • Mathematics - 3 units (1 unit of Algebra or its equivalent, 1 unit of Geometry or its equivalent)
    • Science - 3 units (at least 1 unit of biology and 1 unit of physical science)
    • Oral Communications - 1/2 unit
    • Physical Education - 1/2 unit
    • Health & Safety - 1/2 unit
    • Fine Arts - 1/2 unit

    Career Focus - 6 units

    • All units in the career focus requirement are established by the local school district. 

    All the core and career focus units must total at least 21 units to graduate.  Local school districts may require additional units for graduation beyond the 15 common core units and six career focus units.

    For the graduating classes of 2009, an additional math unit will be required, equaling 22 minimum units required to graduate.