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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 669
2025-2026
Representatives Miller, J., Brennan
To
amend section 3313.603 of the Revised Code
to
permit the AP Business with Personal Finance course to fulfill the
high school financial literacy requirement.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
section 3313.603 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec.
3313.603.
(A)
As used in this section:
(1)
"One unit" means a minimum of one hundred twenty hours of
course instruction, except that for a laboratory course, "one
unit" means a minimum of one hundred fifty hours of course
instruction.
(2)
"One-half unit" means a minimum of sixty hours of course
instruction, except that for physical education courses, "one-half
unit" means a minimum of one hundred twenty hours of course
instruction.
(B)
Beginning September 15, 2001, except as required in division (C) of
this section and division (C) of section 3313.614 of the Revised
Code, the requirements for graduation from every high school shall
include twenty units earned in grades nine through twelve and shall
be distributed as follows:
(1)
English language arts, four units;
(2)
Health, one-half unit;
(3)
Mathematics, three units;
(4)
Physical education, one-half unit;
(5)
Science, two units until September 15, 2003, and three units
thereafter, which at all times shall include both of the following:
(a)
Biological sciences, one unit;
(b)
Physical sciences, one unit.
(6)
History and government, one unit, which shall comply with division
(M) of this section and shall include both of the following:
(a)
American history, one-half unit;
(b)
American government, one-half unit.
(7)
Social studies, two units.
Beginning
with students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after
July 1, 2017, the two units of instruction prescribed by division
(B)(7) of this section shall include at least one-half unit of
instruction in the study of world history and civilizations.
(8)
Elective units, seven units until September 15, 2003, and six units
thereafter.
Each
student's electives shall include at least one unit, or two half
units, chosen from among the areas of business/technology, fine arts,
and/or foreign language.
(C)
Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the first time on
or after July 1, 2010, except as provided in divisions (D) to (F) of
this section, the requirements for graduation from every public and
chartered nonpublic high school shall include twenty units that are
designed to prepare students for the workforce and college. The units
shall be distributed as follows:
(1)
English language arts, four units;
(2)
Health, one-half unit, which shall include instruction in nutrition
and the benefits of nutritious foods and physical activity for
overall health;
(3)
Mathematics, four units, which shall include one unit of algebra II
or the equivalent of algebra II, or one unit of advanced computer
science as described in the standards adopted pursuant to division
(A)(4) of section 3301.079 of the Revised Code. However, students who
enter ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2015, and
who are pursuing a career-technical instructional track shall not be
required to take algebra II or advanced computer science, and instead
may complete a career-based pathway mathematics course approved by
the department of education and workforce as an alternative.
For
students who choose to take advanced computer science in lieu of
algebra II under division (C)(3) of this section, the school shall
communicate to those students that some institutions of higher
education may require algebra II for the purpose of college
admission. Also, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of each
student who chooses to take advanced computer science in lieu of
algebra II shall sign and submit to the school a document containing
a statement acknowledging that not taking algebra II may have an
adverse effect on college admission decisions.
A
student may fulfill one unit of mathematics under division (C)(3) of
this section by completing one-half unit of financial literacy
instruction to satisfy the requirement prescribed under division
(C)(9) of this section and one-half unit of a mathematics course. The
one-half unit course in mathematics shall not be in algebra II, or
its equivalent, or a course for which the department requires an
end-of-course examination under section 3301.0712 of the Revised
Code.
Students
who choose to take one unit of advanced computer science in lieu of
algebra II, as described in division (C)(3) of this section, shall
not be permitted to complete one-half unit of financial literacy
instruction to satisfy the mathematics unit requirements of that
division. Instead, those students shall be required to complete the
one-half unit of financial literacy instruction under division (C)(8)
of this section.
(4)
Physical education, one-half unit;
(5)
Science, three units with inquiry-based laboratory experience that
engages students in asking valid scientific questions and gathering
and analyzing information, which shall include the following, or
their equivalent:
(a)
Physical sciences, one unit;
(b)
Life sciences, one unit;
(c)
Advanced study in one or more of the following sciences, one unit:
(i)
Chemistry, physics, or other physical science;
(ii)
Advanced biology or other life science;
(iii)
Astronomy, physical geology, or other earth or space science;
(iv)
Computer science.
No
student shall substitute a computer science course for a life
sciences or biology course under division (C)(5) of this section.
(6)
History and government, one unit, which shall comply with division
(M) of this section and shall include both of the following:
(a)
American history, one-half unit;
(b)
American government, one-half unit.
(7)
Social studies, two units.
Beginning
with students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after
July 1, 2017, the two units of instruction prescribed by division
(C)(7) of this section shall include at least one-half unit of
instruction in the study of world history and civilizations.
(8)
Five units consisting of one or any combination of foreign language,
fine arts, business, career-technical education, family and consumer
sciences, technology which may include computer science, agricultural
education, a junior reserve officer training corps (JROTC) program
approved by the congress of the United States under title 10 of the
United States Code, or English language arts, mathematics, science,
or social studies courses not otherwise required under division (C)
of this section.
One-half
unit of instruction under division (C)(8) of this section may be
instruction in financial literacy to satisfy the requirement under
division (C)(9) of this section.
(9)(a)
Except as provided in division (C)(9)(b) of this section, for
students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1,
2022, financial literacy, one-half unit. Each student shall elect to
complete the one-half unit of instruction in financial literacy
either in lieu of one-half unit of instruction in mathematics under
division (C)(3) of this section or an elective under division (C)(8)
of this section. A student may fulfill the financial literacy
instruction requirement under division (C)(9) of this section through
the successful completion of an advanced placement course in
microeconomics
or
,
macroeconomics
,
or business with personal finance
.
(b)
A student attending a nonpublic school accredited through the
independent schools association of the central states or any other
chartered nonpublic school shall not be required to complete the
one-half unit of financial literacy instruction prescribed in
division (C)(9)(a) of this section, unless that student is attending
the school under a state scholarship program as defined in section
3301.0711 of the Revised Code.
The
study and instruction of financial literacy required under division
(C)(9) of this section shall align with the academic content
standards for financial literacy and entrepreneurship adopted under
division (A)(2) of section 3301.079 of the Revised Code. The
instruction provided under an advanced placement course in
microeconomics
or
,
macroeconomics
,
or business with personal finance
shall be considered to be aligned with those academic content
standards. In developing the curriculum for the study and instruction
of financial literacy, schools may use available public-private
partnerships and resources and materials that exist in business,
industry, and through the centers for economics education at
institutions of higher education.
Ohioans
must be prepared to apply increased knowledge and skills in the
workplace and to adapt their knowledge and skills quickly to meet the
rapidly changing conditions of the twenty-first century. National
studies indicate that all high school graduates need the same
academic foundation, regardless of the opportunities they pursue
after graduation. The goal of Ohio's system of elementary and
secondary education is to prepare all students for and seamlessly
connect all students to success in life beyond high school
graduation, regardless of whether the next step is entering the
workforce, beginning an apprenticeship, engaging in post-secondary
training, serving in the military, or pursuing a college degree.
The
requirements for graduation prescribed in division (C) of this
section are the standard expectation for all students entering ninth
grade for the first time at a public or chartered nonpublic high
school on or after July 1, 2010. A student may satisfy this
expectation through a variety of methods, including, but not limited
to, integrated, applied, career-technical, and traditional
coursework.
Stronger
coordination between high schools and institutions of higher
education is necessary to prepare students for more challenging
academic endeavors and to lessen the need for academic remediation in
college, thereby reducing the costs of higher education for Ohio's
students, families, and the state. The department and the chancellor
of higher education shall develop policies to ensure that only in
rare instances will students who complete the requirements for
graduation prescribed in division (C) of this section require
academic remediation after high school.
School
districts, community schools, and chartered nonpublic schools shall
integrate technology into learning experiences across the curriculum
in order to maximize efficiency, enhance learning, and prepare
students for success in the technology-driven twenty-first century.
Districts and schools shall use distance and web-based course
delivery as a method of providing or augmenting all instruction
required under this division, including laboratory experience in
science. Districts and schools shall utilize technology access and
electronic learning opportunities provided by the broadcast
educational media commission, chancellor, the Ohio learning network,
education technology centers, public television stations, and other
public and private providers.
(D)
Except as provided in division (E) of this section, a student who
enters ninth grade on or after July 1, 2010, and before July 1, 2016,
may qualify for graduation from a public or chartered nonpublic high
school even though the student has not completed the requirements for
graduation prescribed in division (C) of this section if all of the
following conditions are satisfied:
(1)
During the student's third year of attending high school, as
determined by the school, the student and the student's parent,
guardian, or custodian sign and file with the school a written
statement asserting the parent's, guardian's, or custodian's consent
to the student's graduating without completing the requirements for
graduation prescribed in division (C) of this section and
acknowledging that one consequence of not completing those
requirements is ineligibility to enroll in most state universities in
Ohio without further coursework.
(2)
The student and parent, guardian, or custodian fulfill any procedural
requirements the school stipulates to ensure the student's and
parent's, guardian's, or custodian's informed consent and to
facilitate orderly filing of statements under division (D)(1) of this
section. Annually, each district or school shall notify the
department of the number of students who choose to qualify for
graduation under division (D) of this section and the number of
students who complete the student's success plan and graduate from
high school.
(3)
The student and the student's parent, guardian, or custodian and a
representative of the student's high school jointly develop a student
success plan for the student in the manner described in division
(C)(1) of section 3313.6020 of the Revised Code that specifies the
student matriculating to a two-year degree program, acquiring a
business and industry-recognized credential, or entering an
apprenticeship.
(4)
The student's high school provides counseling and support for the
student related to the plan developed under division (D)(3) of this
section during the remainder of the student's high school experience.
(5)(a)
Except as provided in division (D)(5)(b) of this section, the student
successfully completes, at a minimum, the curriculum prescribed in
division (B) of this section.
(b)
Beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the first time on
or after July 1, 2014, a student shall be required to complete
successfully, at the minimum, the curriculum prescribed in division
(B) of this section, except as follows:
(i)
Mathematics, four units, one unit which shall be one of the
following:
(I)
Probability and statistics;
(II)
Computer science;
(III)
Applied mathematics or quantitative reasoning;
(IV)
Any other course approved by the department using standards
established by the superintendent not later than October 1, 2014.
(ii)
Elective units, five units;
(iii)
Science, three units as prescribed by division (B) of this section
which shall include inquiry-based laboratory experience that engages
students in asking valid scientific questions and gathering and
analyzing information.
(E)
Each school district and chartered nonpublic school retains the
authority to require an even more challenging minimum curriculum for
high school graduation than specified in division (B) or (C) of this
section. A school district board of education, through the adoption
of a resolution, or the governing authority of a chartered nonpublic
school may stipulate any of the following:
(1)
A minimum high school curriculum that requires more than twenty units
of academic credit to graduate;
(2)
An exception to the district's or school's minimum high school
curriculum that is comparable to the exception provided in division
(D) of this section but with additional requirements, which may
include a requirement that the student successfully complete more
than the minimum curriculum prescribed in division (B) of this
section;
(3)
That no exception comparable to that provided in division (D) of this
section is available.
If
a school district or chartered nonpublic school requires a foreign
language as an additional graduation requirement under division (E)
of this section, a student may apply one unit of instruction in
computer coding to satisfy one unit of foreign language. If a student
applies more than one computer coding course to satisfy the foreign
language requirement, the courses shall be sequential and
progressively more difficult.
(F)
A student enrolled in a dropout prevention and recovery program,
which program has received a waiver from the department, may qualify
for graduation from high school by successfully completing a
competency-based instructional program administered by the dropout
prevention and recovery program in lieu of completing the
requirements for graduation prescribed in division (C) of this
section. The department shall grant a waiver to a dropout prevention
and recovery program, within sixty days after the program applies for
the waiver, if the program meets all of the following conditions:
(1)
The program serves only students not younger than sixteen years of
age and not older than twenty-one years of age.
(2)
The program enrolls students who, at the time of their initial
enrollment, either, or both, are at least one grade level behind
their cohort age groups or experience crises that significantly
interfere with their academic progress such that they are prevented
from continuing their traditional programs.
(3)
The program requires students to attain at least the applicable score
designated for each of the assessments prescribed under division
(B)(1) of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code or, to the extent
prescribed by rule of the department under division (D)(5) of section
3301.0712 of the Revised Code, division (B)(2) of that section.
(4)
The program develops a student success plan for the student in the
manner described in division (C)(1) of section 3313.6020 of the
Revised Code that specifies the student's matriculating to a two-year
degree program, acquiring a business and industry-recognized
credential, or entering an apprenticeship.
(5)
The program provides counseling and support for the student related
to the plan developed under division (F)(4) of this section during
the remainder of the student's high school experience.
(6)
The program requires the student and the student's parent, guardian,
or custodian to sign and file, in accordance with procedural
requirements stipulated by the program, a written statement asserting
the parent's, guardian's, or custodian's consent to the student's
graduating without completing the requirements for graduation
prescribed in division (C) of this section and acknowledging that one
consequence of not completing those requirements is ineligibility to
enroll in most state universities in Ohio without further coursework.
(7)
Prior to receiving the waiver, the program has submitted to the
department an instructional plan that demonstrates how the academic
content standards adopted by the department under section 3301.079 of
the Revised Code will be taught and assessed.
(8)
Prior to receiving the waiver, the program has submitted to the
department a policy on career advising that satisfies the
requirements of section 3313.6020 of the Revised Code, with an
emphasis on how every student will receive career advising.
(9)
Prior to receiving the waiver, the program has submitted to the
department a written agreement outlining the future cooperation
between the program and any combination of local job training,
postsecondary education, nonprofit, and health and social service
organizations to provide services for students in the program and
their families.
Divisions
(F)(8) and (9) of this section apply only to waivers granted on or
after July 1, 2015.
If
the department does not act either to grant the waiver or to reject
the program application for the waiver within sixty days as required
under this section, the waiver shall be considered to be granted.
(G)
Every high school may permit students below the ninth grade to take
advanced work. If a high school so permits, it shall award high
school credit for successful completion of the advanced work and
shall count such advanced work toward the graduation requirements of
division (B) or (C) of this section if the advanced work was both:
(1)
Taught by a person who possesses a license or certificate issued
under section 3301.071, 3319.22, or 3319.222 of the Revised Code that
is valid for teaching high school;
(2)
Designated by the board of education of the city, local, or exempted
village school district, the board of the cooperative education
school district, or the governing authority of the chartered
nonpublic school as meeting the high school curriculum requirements.
Each
high school shall record on the student's high school transcript all
high school credit awarded under division (G) of this section. In
addition, if the student completed a seventh- or eighth-grade fine
arts course described in division (K) of this section and the course
qualified for high school credit under that division, the high school
shall record that course on the student's high school transcript.
(H)
The department shall make its individual academic career plan
available through its Ohio career information system web site for
districts and schools to use as a tool for communicating with and
providing guidance to students and families in selecting high school
courses.
(I)
A school district or chartered nonpublic school may integrate
academic content in a subject area for which the department has
adopted standards under section 3301.079 of the Revised Code into a
course in a different subject area, including a career-technical
education course, in accordance with guidance for integrated
coursework developed by the department. Upon successful completion of
an integrated course, a student may receive credit for both subject
areas that were integrated into the course. Units earned for subject
area content delivered through integrated academic and
career-technical instruction are eligible to meet the graduation
requirements of division (B) or (C) of this section.
For
purposes of meeting graduation requirements, if an end-of-course
examination has been prescribed under section 3301.0712 of the
Revised Code for the subject area delivered through integrated
instruction, the school district or school may administer the related
subject area examinations upon the student's completion of the
integrated course.
Nothing
in division (I) of this section shall be construed to excuse any
school district, chartered nonpublic school, or student from any
requirement in the Revised Code related to curriculum, assessments,
or the awarding of a high school diploma.
(J)(1)
The department, in consultation with the chancellor, shall adopt a
statewide plan implementing methods for students to earn units of
high school credit based on a demonstration of subject area
competency, instead of or in combination with completing hours of
classroom instruction. The plan shall include a standard method for
recording demonstrated proficiency on high school transcripts. Each
school district and community school shall comply with the
department's plan adopted under this division and award units of high
school credit in accordance with the plan. The department may adopt
existing methods for earning high school credit based on a
demonstration of subject area competency as necessary prior to the
2009-2010 school year.
(2)
The department shall update the statewide plan adopted pursuant to
division (J)(1) of this section to also include methods for students
enrolled in seventh and eighth grade to meet curriculum requirements
based on a demonstration of subject area competency, instead of or in
combination with completing hours of classroom instruction. Beginning
with the 2017-2018 school year, each school district and community
school also shall comply with the updated plan adopted pursuant to
this division and permit students enrolled in seventh and eighth
grade to meet curriculum requirements based on subject area
competency in accordance with the plan.
(3)
The department shall develop a framework for school districts and
community schools to use in granting units of high school credit to
students who demonstrate subject area competency through work-based
learning experiences, internships, or cooperative education.
Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, each district and community
school shall comply with the framework. Each district and community
school also shall review any policy it has adopted regarding the
demonstration of subject area competency to identify ways to
incorporate work-based learning experiences, internships, and
cooperative education into the policy in order to increase student
engagement and opportunities to earn units of high school credit.
(K)
This division does not apply to students who qualify for graduation
from high school under division (D) or (F) of this section, or to
students pursuing a career-technical instructional track as
determined by the school district board of education or the chartered
nonpublic school's governing authority. Nevertheless, the general
assembly encourages such students to consider enrolling in a fine
arts course as an elective.
Beginning
with students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after
July 1, 2010, each student enrolled in a public or chartered
nonpublic high school shall complete two semesters or the equivalent
of fine arts to graduate from high school. The coursework may be
completed in any of grades seven to twelve. Each student who
completes a fine arts course in grade seven or eight may elect to
count that course toward the five units of electives required for
graduation under division (C)(8) of this section, if the course
satisfied the requirements of division (G) of this section. In that
case, the high school shall award the student high school credit for
the course and count the course toward the five units required under
division (C)(8) of this section. If the course in grade seven or
eight did not satisfy the requirements of division (G) of this
section, the high school shall not award the student high school
credit for the course but shall count the course toward the two
semesters or the equivalent of fine arts required by this division.
(L)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, the board
of education of each school district and the governing authority of
each chartered nonpublic school may adopt a policy to excuse from the
high school physical education requirement each student who, during
high school, has participated in interscholastic athletics, marching
band, show choir, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons or in
the junior reserve officer training corps for at least two full
school years. If the board or authority adopts such a policy, the
board or authority shall not require the student to complete any
physical education course as a condition to graduate. However, the
student shall be required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at
least sixty hours of instruction, in another course of study. In the
case of a student who has participated in the junior reserve officer
training corps for at least two full school years, credit received
for that participation may be used to satisfy the requirement to
complete one-half unit in another course of study.
(M)
It is important that high school students learn and understand United
States history and the governments of both the United States and the
state of Ohio. Therefore, beginning with students who enter ninth
grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2012, the study of
American history and American government required by divisions (B)(6)
and (C)(6) of this section shall include the study of all of the
following documents:
(1)
The Declaration of Independence;
(2)
The Northwest Ordinance;
(3)
The Constitution of the United States with emphasis on the Bill of
Rights;
(4)
The Ohio Constitution.
The
study of each of the documents prescribed in divisions (M)(1) to (4)
of this section shall include study of that document in its original
context.
The
study of American history and government required by divisions (B)(6)
and (C)(6) of this section shall include the historical evidence of
the role of documents such as the Federalist Papers and the
Anti-Federalist Papers to firmly establish the historical background
leading to the establishment of the provisions of the Constitution
and Bill of Rights.
(N)
A student may apply one unit of instruction in computer science to
satisfy one unit of mathematics or one unit of science under division
(C) of this section as the student chooses, regardless of the field
of certification of the teacher who teaches the course, so long as
that teacher meets the licensure requirements prescribed by section
3319.236 of the Revised Code and, prior to teaching the course,
completes a professional development program determined to be
appropriate by the district board.
If
a student applies more than one computer science course to satisfy
curriculum requirements under that division, the courses shall be
sequential and progressively more difficult or cover different
subject areas within computer science.
(O)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, the board
of education of each school district and the governing authority of
each chartered nonpublic school may adopt a policy to excuse from the
financial literacy instruction requirement under division (C)(9) of
this section each student who, during high school, participates in a
financial literacy program offered through a student branch, as
defined in section 1733.04 of the Revised Code, or by a bank, as
defined in section 1101.01 of the Revised Code. The policy shall
require the financial literacy program to meet or exceed the academic
content standards and model curriculum for financial literacy and
entrepreneurship instruction adopted under section 3301.079 of the
Revised Code. The policy shall require a student to participate in
the program for the equivalent of at least one-half unit of
instruction to qualify for an exemption under this division.
Not
later than July 1, 2026, the department shall develop and post on its
web site a model policy and guidelines for districts and schools to
use in developing a policy under this division.
Section
2.
That
existing section 3313.603 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.