Credits Required for Graduation. Beginning with the 2004—2005 school year and thereafter, a student entering grade 9 shall earn a minimum of 21 credits for secondary school graduation. A school shall require 12 credits as follows: Four credits in English language arts; Two credits in social studies to include at least one credit in U. S. History; and Six credits in science and mathematics to include at least two science credits and two mathematics credits. A school shall require nine additional credits in accordance with its written policy regarding graduation requirements. Written Policy Regarding Credits Required for Graduation. A secondary school shall have a written policy regarding the credits required for secondary school graduation. A secondary school shall give annually to parents or legal guardians of prospective and enrolled students its written policy regarding the credits required for secondary school graduation. Definition of a Unit of Credit. A secondary school shall have a written statement that defines a unit of credit and any partial unit of credit granted by the school. A secondary school shall give annually to parents or legal guardians of prospective and enrolled students its written statement that defines a unit of credit and any partial unit of credit granted by the school. Transcript. A secondary school shall be prepared to present as a separate document a transcript of the secondary school record of each student for each year of enrollment that includes the following: School's name; School's location address; School's telephone number; Student's first, middle, and last names; Student's month, day, and year of birth; Student's home address; Credits and grades earned in each subject area; Code for the meaning of the grading system; Designation of transfer credits accepted by the school and name of the school originally granting each credit; Month, day, and year the student initially entered; Grade upon enrollment; Month, day, and year the student withdrew or graduated; and Number of days of attendance in each school year. A secondary school shall maintain permanently the original or a legible copy of the secondary school transcript of each student who has been enrolled in the school. Before a secondary school ceases operation, the legal authority of the school shall file with the Department, in alphabetical order, the original or a legible copy of the secondary school transcript for each student who has been enrolled in the school. Diploma. The diploma of a secondary school may not imply that the requirements for graduation from a Maryland public secondary school have been met.