(a) Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, a public school student may complete an early high school graduation program and be eligible for unconditional entry into a public two-year institution of higher education or conditional entry into a public four-year institution of higher education, if the student meets the requirements of this section.

(b) Each student desiring to complete an early graduation program shall indicate to the high school principal the student's intent prior to the beginning of grade nine (9) or as soon thereafter as the intent is known. The intent shall be indicated on a form provided by the department of education and signed by the parent.

(c) For early graduation and unconditional entry into a public two-year institution or conditional entry into a public four-year institution, a student shall:

(1) Achieve a benchmark score as determined by the state board of education for each subject area in which end-of-course examinations are administered;

(2) Successfully complete eighteen (18) credits to include:

(A) English I, II, III, and IV;

(B) Algebra I and II;

(C) Geometry;

(D) United States history;

(E) Two (2) courses in the same foreign language;

(F) One (1) course selected from the following:

(i) Economics;

(ii) Government;

(iii) World civilization; or

(iv) World geography;

(G) One (1) course selected from the following:

(i) History and appreciation of visual and performing arts; or

(ii) A standards-based arts course, which may include studio art, band, chorus, dance, or other performing arts;

(H) Health;

(I) Physical Education;

(J) Biology;

(K) Chemistry;

(3) Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4-point scale;

(4) Score on either the ACT or the SAT at or above benchmarks set by the Tennessee higher education commission for mathematics and English;

(5) Obtain a qualifying benchmark score as determined by the state board of education on a world language proficiency assessment approved by the board; and

(6) Complete at least two (2) courses from the following types of courses:

(A) AP;

(B) IB;

(C) Dual enrollment; or

(D) Dual credit.

(d) The courses specified in subsection (c) may be dual enrollment or dual credit courses, AP or IB courses, or standard courses for which high school credit is granted. Selected courses, as determined by the state board of education, may be completed at the middle school level.

(e) A student in the early graduation program may take two (2) high school English courses in an academic year.

(f) A student who completes the early graduation program under this section qualifies for unconditional admittance to all public two-year institutions of higher education. A public four-year institution may accept a student who completes the early graduation program.

(g) A student pursuing early graduation under this section is exempt from additional graduation requirements established by the state board of education. A student who completes the early graduation program shall be awarded a high school diploma.

(h) Under subsection (c), the state board of education and the Tennessee higher education commission shall set the required benchmarks at scores that demonstrate exemplary high school performance and are indicative of an ability to perform college-level work.

(i) This section shall not apply in any county having a population of not less than one hundred eighty-three thousand one hundred (183,100) nor more than one hundred eighty-three thousand two hundred (183,200), according to the 2010 federal census or any subsequent federal census.