Students must be able to understand both fiction and nonfiction texts. An 8th-grade student should not only be able to cite passages in the text that supports a concrete statement but also understand information implied by the work. Students should be able to decide the central plot or theme of the work, the traits of the characters and the meaning of any analogies in the text. They must also be able to distinguish between opinions, facts and reasonable conclusions; identify the point of view; integrate maps or pictures with text; and determine whether text is presented in a chronological, casual or comparison format.
By the end of the 8th grade, students must demonstrate knowledge of words, phrases and structure suitable for their level. They should be able to analyze how the choice of a specific word may change the meaning of a sentence, reveal a character's personality or convey irony. Students should be able to understand the difference between literal and figurative references in the text.
To graduate, 8th grade students must know the difference between rational and irrational numbers. They should know how to convert integers to decimals and how to find the approximate locations of integers on a number line. Students must demonstrate the ability to work with radicals and exponents, solve equations and interpret numbers represented by scientific notation. Knowledge of proportional relationships and the ability to graph them is necessary, and students must demonstrate the ability to solve linear equations containing one variable.
Certain school districts have additional requirements for students graduating from the 8th grade. For example, the Chicago Public Schools require students to score in the 24th percentile or higher in the math and reading sections of the district assessment tests. Students cannot have a final grade below a "C" in math or reading, and if the student does not have at least a "C" in writing, they must pass the assessment test in writing. Students must have fewer than 10 unexcused absences.