Florida is the fourth most populous state in the nation, with nearly 16 million residents. In 1947, the state made a great effort to improve the public school system by adopting the minimum foundation program, which provides state funds to each county that needs money to provide a minimum school term and quality educations for the children.
Florida offers three courses of study for diploma hopefuls: a traditional program, a three-year college preparatory program and a three-year career preparatory program
Traditional 24-Credit Diploma Program:
This program requires students to take 24 credits in subjects including English, math, science, social studies, practical/performing arts, life management and personal fitness. They may also take 8.5 elective credits. Students are able to take rigorous academic courses to meet higher education admissions requirements or they can choose to take career and technical courses.
Three-Year, 18-Credit College Prep Diploma Program:
This college preparatory program is an accelerated diploma program requiring fewer units than the traditional plan, but it focuses more on academic courses, which means one enjoys fewer electives. They must also take two+ years of a foreign language. According to the Florida DOE, students must earn at least six of their 18 required credits in specified high level courses and must maintain weighted grade point averages of at least 3.0. This degree also requires higher-level mathematics courses.
Three-Year, 18-Credit Career Prep Diploma Program:
As you may have guessed, this accelerated program is designed for those hoping to enter the workforce, a technical center or a community college just after graduation. Like the college prep program, it focuses more on academic courses and less on electives. It requires students to earn specific credits in a vocational or career education program and to maintain a weighted GPA of at least 3.0.
