The Coordinating Board For Higher Education-Recommended College Preparatory High School Core Curriculum
State Technical College of Missouri recommends the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) Minimum 24-unit High School CORE Curriculum for its entering first-year students:
English/Language Arts 4 units
Social Studies 3 units
Mathematics 4 units*
Science 3 units
Fine Arts 1 unit
Additional Coursework 3 units**
Electives 6 units***
*At least one mathematics course should be taken each year. It is particularly important that students take a mathematics course in grade 12.
** Missouri public high school students are required by the State Board of Education to complete units in practical arts (1), physical education (1), health education (1/2), and personal finance (1/2).
*** All students should complete at least 3 total elective units in foreign language and/or other courses within high school core content areas defined below. Two units of a single foreign language are strongly recommended.
For each high school core content area, descriptions follow that provide illustrations of coursework acceptable and unacceptable for the high school core curriculum.
English/Language Arts – 4 units
English/language arts coursework (4 units) emphasizes college preparatory composition, research skills, analysis of literature, and other content of comparable or greater rigor. Speech and debate courses may be included.
Coursework not acceptable for the high school core curriculum emphasizes student publications, broadcast media, or theater.
Social Studies – 3 units
Social studies coursework (3 units) emphasizes American history, Missouri government and Missouri history as required by state statute, geography/world civilizations, and other content of comparable or greater rigor.
Coursework not acceptable for the high school core curriculum emphasizes family/human development or consumer education.
Mathematics – 4 units
Mathematics coursework (4 units) emphasizes college preparatory algebra and other content of comparable or greater rigor. Students who complete algebra prior to the freshman year would be expected to complete four additional units in grades 9-12. Students who achieve a proficiency score of 3 or 4 on the Smarter Balanced grade 11 assessment must demonstrate continued study of mathematics for the score to be considered valid in the first year of college.
Coursework that emphasizes pre-algebra, computer math/programming, consumer/basic math, or business math/accounting is not acceptable for the CBHE Recommended College Preparatory High School core curriculum.
Science – 3 units
Science coursework (3 units) emphasizes college preparatory biology, chemistry, and other content of comparable or greater rigor. Science coursework should include at least one laboratory course.
Coursework not acceptable for the high school core curriculum emphasizes general or consumer science.
Fine Arts – 1 unit
Fine arts coursework (1 unit) emphasizes visual arts, instrumental or vocal music, dance, theater, or other content of comparable or greater rigor. Critical analysis, theory, or “appreciation” courses may be included.
Coursework not acceptable for the high school core curriculum emphasizes speech, debate, or broadcast media.
