First choice strives to enable every high school student to reach his/her full potential. It strengthens the curriculum for Alabama high schools and provides numerous safeguards to assist those who struggle academically. Such measures help guide students toward a quality education and obtaining a high school diploma.

Whether Alabama students pursue additional education after high school or take advantage of the many workforce opportunities in the computer, manufacturing, industry, health, or other fields - a solid educational foundation is essential.

• Advanced Academic Endorsement (1st Choice)
  

Requires passing all standard coursework, including Algebra 2 w/Trig. and two foreign language credits, and passing all five sections of the AHSGE.

• Advanced Career/Technical Endorsement

Requires passing the same coursework as the Advanced Academic Endorsement with the exception of foreign language and passing three career and technical courses (or two career/technical courses and another course related to the student's career choice). In addition, all five sections of the AHSGE also must be passed.

• Career and Technical Endorsement

Requires passing all standard coursework and passing all five sections of the AHSGE.

• No Endorsement

Requires passing all standard coursework and passing all five sections of the AHSGE.

• Credit-Based Endorsement

Requires passing all standard coursework and passing three of five sections of the AHSGE, INCLUDING Reading and Mathematics. Students must take and pass at least one career and technical course prior to graduation.

• Algebra 1
• Geometry
• Algebra 2 w/Trig.
• Pre-Calculus

• Algebra 1A
• Algebra 1B
• Geometry
• Algebra 2 w/Trig.

• The Alabama Occupational Diploma

The Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD) may be required through the general education curriculum or an alternative that is aligned with the Alabama courses of study. The recipients of this diploma are students with some form of a learning disability. Those who receive the AOD must take the AHSGE but are not required to pass. The AOD includes 270 hours of required work based learning through the cooperative program.

Allows students to prove they are knowledgeable on a segment of a course and receive course credit or earn promotion without retaking the entire course.

Allows students in-school and out-of-school educational opportunities to meet course requirements in nontraditional ways.

• Beginning with the 9th grade class of the 2009-2010 school year, ALL students will have as their diploma option - The Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement.
• Students with Special Education identification will select their diploma option with the assistance of the IEP team.
• All students will select a Mathematics track:
  Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 w/Trig., Pre-Cal
  Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Geometry, Algebra 2 w/Trig.
• Parents, with counselor input, should select the appropriate mathematics track for their child, taking into consideration past grades, teacher recommendation and standardized test scores.
• All students will participate in an on-line experience as a diploma requirement.
• Beginning with the 9th grade class of the 2009-2010 school year, students may change their diploma option at the end of the first year. There should be no mid-year or mid-semester changes of diploma options.
• Any changes of diploma option requires a parent/guardian meeting with the counselor and a Endorsement Change Request Form must be completed.