Ohio Graduation Test - Alternative Pathway

Alternative Pathway

Passing all five of the OGT tests is required to earn an Ohio diploma for both public and private school students (excluding IEP issues). However, there is an exception for students who come very close. The alternative pathway lets student who meet seven specific requirements to graduate without passing all five tests. High school guidance counselors determine if students qualify for this option. A student qualifies for the alternative pathway if they:

1. Pass all the tests but one, and earn at least a 390 on the failed test;
2. Have a 97% attendance rate, not including excused absences, for each of the last four years;
3. Have not been expelled in the past four years;
4. Have a GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 in the subject area of the failed test;
5. Complete the high school curriculum requirements;
6. Have taken “intervention programs” to help their performance on the tests and have a 97% attendance rate, not including excused absence, in those programs; and
7. Receive a letter recommending graduation from each of the student’s high school teachers in the subject area of the failed OGT and the student's high school principal.