20-A §4722. High school diploma standards
Title 20-A: EDUCATION
Part 3: ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Chapter 207-A: INSTRUCTION
Subchapter 3: SECONDARY SCHOOLS
§4722. High school diploma standards
A secondary school shall provide a comprehensive program of instruction leading to a high school diploma as set out in section 4721. The commissioner shall develop rules for the transition between the requirements of this section and the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209. [2009, c. 313, §14 (AMD).]
1. Minimum instructional requirements. A comprehensive program of instruction must include a minimum 4-year program that meets the curriculum requirements established by this chapter and any other instructional requirements established by the commissioner and the school board.
[ 2009, c. 313, §15 (AMD) .]
2. Required subjects. Courses in the following subjects shall be provided in separate or integrated study programs to all students and required for a high school diploma:
A. English--4 years; [1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
B. Social studies and history, including American history and government--2 years; [1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
C. Mathematics--2 years; [1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
D. Science, including at least one year of laboratory study--2 years; and [1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
E. Fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama--one year. [1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
[ 1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW) .]
2-A. Implementation of multiple pathways and opportunities. Students may demonstrate achievement of the standards through multiple pathways as set out under section 4703 and multiple opportunities. Achievement may be demonstrated by evidence documented by course and learning experiences using multiple measures, such as, but not limited to, examinations, quizzes, portfolios, performances, exhibitions and projects.
[ 2009, c. 313, §16 (NEW) .]
3. Satisfactory completion. A diploma may be awarded to secondary school students who have satisfactorily completed all diploma requirements in accordance with the academic standards of the school administrative unit and this chapter. All secondary school students must achieve the content standards of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established pursuant to section 6209. Children with disabilities, as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B, who successfully meet the content standards of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to all secondary school students, as specified by the goals and objectives of their individualized education plans, may be awarded a high school diploma. Career and technical students may, with the approval of the commissioner, satisfy the 2nd-year math and science, the 2nd-year social studies and the fine arts requirements of subsection 2 through separate or integrated study within the career and technical school curriculum.
Students who experience education disruption, as defined in section 5001-A, subsection 4, paragraph F, who successfully demonstrate achievement of the content standards of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to secondary school students as set forth in their school work recognition plans as defined in section 5161, subsection 6 must, with the approval of the commissioner, be awarded a Department of Education diploma as defined in section 5161, subsection 2.
[ 2009, c. 313, §17 (AMD) .]
4. Exception. A secondary school student who has satisfactorily completed the freshman year in an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education may be eligible to receive a high school diploma from the school the student last attended, although the student may not meet the graduation requirements of this Title.
[ 1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW) .]
5. Advanced study. Nothing in this chapter may prevent the award of a diploma to a student who has completed all diploma requirements in fewer than 4 years of study.
[ 1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5, 7 (NEW) .]
6. Exception for certain veterans. A secondary school may award a high school diploma to a person who meets all of the following requirements. A diploma may be awarded posthumously.
A. The person or the person's family must apply to the secondary school for the diploma. [2001, c. 85, §1 (NEW).]
B. The person must either:
(1) Have attended the secondary school or attended a secondary school in the geographic area now served by the secondary school; or
(2) Currently reside in the geographic area served by the secondary school. [2001, c. 85, §1 (NEW).]
C. The person must have left secondary school either:
(1) Before or during World War II to serve in the Armed Forces during World War II; or
(2) Before or during the Korean Conflict to serve in the Armed Forces in the Korean Conflict. [2001, c. 85, §1 (NEW).]
D. The person did not graduate or receive a high school diploma because of service in the Armed Forces. [2001, c. 85, §1 (NEW).]
E. The person received an honorable discharge or a certificate of honorable service from the Armed Forces. [2001, c. 85, §1 (NEW).]
For purposes of this subsection, "Armed Forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard; and the Merchant Marines only for the period of December 7, 1941 to August 16, 1945.
[ 2001, c. 85, §1 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1983, c. 859, §§C5,C7 (NEW). 1989, c. 230, (AMD). 1991, c. 716, §7 (AMD). 2001, c. 85, §1 (AMD). 2001, c. 454, §§23,24 (AMD). 2003, c. 545, §6 (REV). 2005, c. 446, §2 (AMD). 2005, c. 662, §A9 (AMD). 2007, c. 451, §2 (AMD). 2009, c. 313, §§14-17 (AMD).