<P> Students in the Recommended and Distinguished programs must take four years of English, mathematics, science, and social studies classes as part of their program of study . Students in the Distinguished program must also take a minimum amount of advanced - level coursework, which could include Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes or university classes taken as dual - enrollment . Students in the Minimum program have less stringent requirements to complete their diploma than students in the other diploma programs . </P> <P> By Texas state law, completion of the Recommended or Distinguished programs or a program with an equivalent curriculum and level of rigor, along with suitable scores on the SAT or the ACT, is required for a student to be eligible to be considered for admission to a four - year public institution of higher education in Texas . </P> <P> The General Education Development (GED) credential is offered as an alternative qualification for those who did not successfully earn a high school diploma . Examination involves taking and passing tests in five subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies . A Certificate of High School Equivalency is generally offered to those who successfully complete the GED . While the GED itself may not necessarily enable the same higher education and employment opportunities as the high school diploma, the GED can enhance employability prospects for former high school dropouts, and progression is available to tertiary study at select higher education institutions . </P> <P> IB World Schools may offer the IB Diploma in lieu of or alongside a traditional high school diploma . The IB Diploma is an academically rigorous program of study . The program of study for the IB Diploma includes subjects chosen from five subject groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts . Three subjects are taken at Higher Level, and three are taken at Standard Level . Also included is the Diploma Programme Core, which is composed of Extended Essay; Theory of Knowledge; and Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) components . The IB Diploma is an internationally recognized academic school - leaving qualification that provides entry to, and in some cases, advanced standing in, university . International Baccalaureate (IB) exams are typically considered equivalent to Advanced Placement (AP) exams and are at an academic level above the high school diploma, and thus university credit may be awarded for successful completion of IB subjects by American and Canadian universities as well as Universities around the World . </P>

How many years of english in high school to graduate