Average credits earned in core academic courses (English, mathematics, science, and social studies) and other academic courses (fine arts, foreign languages, and computer-related courses) increased in 2009 as compared to 1990. Average credits earned in other courses (e.g., vocational education, personal health, and physical education) decreased compared to 1990.
Trend in average credits earned, by course type: 1990-2009
| Average credits earned |
Standard error |
Average credits earned |
Standard error |
Average credits earned |
Standard error |
Average credits earned |
Standard error |
Average credits earned |
Standard error |
Average credits earned |
Standard error |
|---|
| Core academic credits |
13.7 |
* |
(0.07) |
14.3 |
* |
(0.07) |
14.6 |
* |
(0.09) |
15.0 |
* |
(0.10) |
15.6 |
* |
(0.05) |
16.0 |
|
(0.05) |
|---|
| Other academic credits |
3.6 |
* |
(0.06) |
4.0 |
* |
(0.06) |
4.5 |
* |
(0.09) |
4.8 |
* |
(0.08) |
5.1 |
* |
(0.05) |
5.3 |
|
(0.05) |
|---|
| Other credits |
6.4 |
* |
(0.10) |
6.0 |
|
(0.09) |
6.2 |
|
(0.13) |
6.3 |
* |
(0.12) |
6.2 |
|
(0.06) |
6.0 |
|
(0.09) |
|---|
* Significantly different (p<.05) from 2009.
NOTE: Details may not sum to total because of rounding. Numbers at end of bars represent total credits. Core academic courses are English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Other academic courses are fine arts, foreign languages, and computer-related studies. Other courses include courses such as vocational education, personal health, and physical education.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, High School Transcript Study (HSTS), various years, 1990-2009.