La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § IV-804 - TOPS-Tech Award and Core Equivalents

A. Core Curriculum

1. For students graduating through the 2001-2002 school year, the TOPS-Tech core curriculum as follows.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
1	English III
1	English IV or Business English
1	Algebra I (1 unit) or Applied Algebra IA and 1B (2 units)
1	Algebra II
1	Geometry or Applied Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus or comparable Advanced Mathematics
1	Biology
1	Chemistry or Applied Physics
1	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II or Physics for Technology or Agriscience I and II (both for 1 unit)
1	American History
1	World History, Western Civilization or World Geography
1	Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined) or Civics (1 unit, non-public)
1	Fine Arts Survey or any approved vocational course in the areas of Agriscience, Business Education, Family and Consumer Science, Health Occupations, Marketing Education, Technology Education, or Trade and Industrial Education; (or substitute 2 units of performance courses in music, dance or theater; or 2 units of studio art or 2 units of visual art courses; or 1 elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum)
2	In a single Foreign Language. (1 unit for students graduating from high school during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school years.) or Technical Writing, Speech I or Speech II (2 units).
1/2	Computer Science, Computer Literacy or Business Computer Applications (or substitute at least 1/2 unit of an elective course related to computers that is approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; or substitute at least 1/2 unit of an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum)

2. For students graduating in the 2000-2001 school year through the 2012-2013 school year, the high school course work documented on the student's official transcript as approved by the Louisiana Department of Education constituting the following TOPS-Tech core curriculum.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
1	English III
1	English IV or substitute 1 unit of Business English
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or both Applied Mathematics I and Applied Mathematics II
2	Geometry, Applied Mathematics III, Algebra II, Financial Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics I [beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year (high school) this course is renamed Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus], Advanced Mathematics II [beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year (high school) this course is renamed Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics], Discrete Mathematics, or Probability and Statistics (2 units). Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, and shall be considered the equivalent of the 3 required math units
1	Biology
1	Chemistry or Applied Chemistry
1	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology or Agriscience I and II (both for 1 unit)
1	American History
1	World History, Western Civilization, or World Geography
1	Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined) or Civics (1 unit, nonpublic)
Remaining Core Courses shall be Selected from One of the Following Options:
Option 1-Total of 17 Units
1	Fine Arts Survey or substitute 2 units of performance courses in music, dance, or theater; or substitute 2 units of visual art courses; or substitute 2 units of studio art courses; or a course from the Career and Technical Program of studies that is approved by the BESE (must be listed under the Vocational Education Course Offerings in Bulletin 741 or the updates to Bulletin 741); or substitute 1 unit as an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum
2	Foreign Language, Technical Writing, Speech I or Speech II
1	One unit from the secondary computer education program of studies that is approved by the BESE
or
Option 2-Total of 19 Units
4	In a career major comprised of a sequence of related specialty courses. In order for a student to use this option, the courses for the career major must be approved by BESE.
1	Credit in a basic computer course.
1	In related or technical fields. A related course includes any course which is listed under the student's major. A technical course is one that is listed in the approved career option plan for the high school at which the course is taken.

3. For students graduating in the 2013-2014 school year through the 2016-2017 school year, the high school course work documented on the student's official transcript as approved by the Louisiana Department of Education constituting the following TOPS-Tech core curriculum.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
1	English III
1	English IV or substitute 1 unit of Business English
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or both Applied Mathematics I and Applied Mathematics II
2	Geometry, Applied Mathematics III, Algebra II, Financial Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics I [beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year (high school) this course is renamed Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus], Advanced Mathematics II [beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year (high school) this course is renamed Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics], Discrete Mathematics, or Probability and Statistics (2 units). Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, and shall be considered the equivalent of the 3 required math units
1	Biology
2	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, or Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II or Physics for Technology or Agriscience I and II (both for 1 unit)
1	American History
1	World History, Western Civilization or World Geography
1	Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined) or Civics (1 unit, non-public)
Remaining Core Courses Shall Be Selected from One of the Following Options
Option 1-Total of 17 Units
1	Fine Arts Survey or drafting (one unit) or substitute 2 units of performance courses in music, dance, or theater; or substitute 2 units of visual art courses; or substitute 2 units of studio art courses; or a course from the Career and Technical Program of studies that is approved by the BESE (must be listed under the Vocational Education Course Offerings in Bulletin 741 or the updates to Bulletin 741); or substitute 1 unit as an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum
2	Foreign Language, Technical Writing, Speech I or Speech II
1	One unit from the secondary computer education program of studies that is approved by the BESE
or
Option 2-Total of 19 Units
4	In a career major comprised of a sequence of related specialty courses. In order for a student to use this option, the courses for the career major must be approved by BESE.
1 Credit in a basic computer course
1	In related or technical fields. A related course includes any course which is listed under the student's major. A technical course is one that is listed in the approved career option plan for the high school at which the course is taken.

4. For students graduating in the 2015-2016 academic year (high school) and later, the high school course work documented on the student's official transcript as approved by the Louisiana Department of Education constituting the following TOPS-Tech core curriculum.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
2	English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or an applied or hybrid algebra course
3	Geometry, Algebra II, Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math -Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits
1	Biology
1	Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science,or AP or IB science courses
1	U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History
1	Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States
9	In Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

5. For students graduating in the 2017-2018 academic year (high school) and later, the high school course work documented on the student's official transcript as approved by the Louisiana Department of Education constituting the following TOPS-Tech core curriculum.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
2	English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or an applied or hybrid algebra course
3	Geometry, Algebra II, Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math -Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits
1	Biology
1	Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, or AP or IB science courses
1	U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History
1	Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States
9	In Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

6. For students graduating in the 2026-2027 academic year (high school) and later, the high school course work documented on the student's official transcript as approved by the Louisiana Department of Education constituting the following TOPS-Tech core curriculum.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
2	English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or an applied or hybrid algebra course
1	Geometry or an applied Geometry course
2	Algebra II, Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math -Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits
1	Biology
1	Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, or AP or IB science courses
1	U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History
1	Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States
9	In Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

7. For students graduating in the 2027-2028 academic year (high school) and later, the high school course work documented on the student's official transcript as approved by the Louisiana Department of Education constituting the following TOPS-Tech core curriculum.

Core Curriculum-TOPS-Tech Award
Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
2	English III, English IV, AP or IB English courses, Business English, Technical Writing, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or an applied or hybrid algebra course
1	Geometry or an applied Geometry course
1	Financial Literacy
1	Algebra II, Math Essentials, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math -Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits
1	Biology
1	Chemistry I, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Agriscience I and Agriscience II (both for one unit), Physical Science, Physics, or AP or IB science courses
1	U.S. History, AP U.S. History, or IB U.S. History
1	Civics, Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics: Comparative, or AP U.S. Government and Politics: United States
9	In Jump Start course sequences, workplace experiences, and credentials. A student shall complete a regionally designed series of Career and Technical Education Jump Start coursework and workplace-based learning experiences leading to a statewide or regional Jump Start credential. This shall include courses and workplace experiences specific to the credential, courses related to foundational career skills requirements in Jump Start, and other courses, including career electives, that the Jump Start regional team determines are appropriate for the career major.

B. Core Curriculum Equivalents

1. For students graduating in academic year (high school) 2008-2009 and after, for purposes of satisfying the requirements of §803.A.6, the following courses shall be considered equivalent to the identified core courses and may be substituted to satisfy corresponding core courses.

Core Curriculum Course	Equivalent (Substitute) Course
Business English	Senior Applications in English
Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, or Comparable Advanced Mathematics	Math Essentials

2. For students graduating in academic year (high school) 2018 and after, for purposes of satisfying the requirements of §803.A.6, the following courses shall be considered equivalent to the identified core courses and may be substituted to satisfy corresponding core courses.

Core Curriculum Course	Equivalent (Substitute) Course
Business English	Senior Applications in English
Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, or Comparable Advanced Mathematics	Math Essentials
Geometry, Algebra II, Math Essentials, Financial Literacy, Business Math, Algebra III, Advanced Math - Functions and Statistics, Advanced Math - Pre-Calculus, Pre-calculus, or comparable Louisiana Technical College courses offered by Jump Start regional teams as approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and shall equal three mathematics credits	Probability and Statistics; Transition to College Mathematics; Statistical Reasoning

Notes

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § IV-804

Promulgated by the Student Financial Assistance Commission, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 50206 (2/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:3021-3025, R.S. 17:3042.1, and R.S. 17:3048.1.