General education students who have completed the minimum number of high school graduation required credits and have passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) shall be issued a diploma and are eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.
General education students who have completed the required course of study but who have not passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) shall not receive a diploma but will be issued a Certificate of Completion. These students shall not be eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies. General education students who do not receive a diploma and pass or receive notification of passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) after the date of commencement shall be issued a diploma.
Special education students who have completed the minimum number of high school graduation required credits and have received a waiver or exemption for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) shall be issued a diploma and are eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.
For some special education students, a course of study that earns them a high school diploma is not an appropriate educational program. Because of their handicapping condition, these students require a program that emphasizes functional academics, and includes life, social, and vocational skills. The completion of this course of study would earn the student a Certificate of Completion from the Claremont Unified School District. These students are eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.
(cf. 3260 - Fees and Charges)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6162.52 - High School Exit Examination)
(cf. 6146.4 - Differential Graduation and Competency Standards for Students with Disabilities)
High school students who have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination or the General Educational Development Test must also meet district graduation requirements in order to participate in graduation ceremonies.
(cf. 6146.2 - Certificate of Proficiency/High School Equivalency)
The school or district shall not direct invocations, prayers, or benedictions at graduation ceremonies.
(cf. 1330 - Use of School Facilities)
(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)
Disciplinary Considerations
In order to encourage high standards of student conduct and behavior, the principal may deny a student the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and/or activities in accordance with school rules. School rules shall ensure that prior to denial of the privilege(s), the student and, where practicable, his/her parent/guardian is made aware of the grounds for such denial and that the student is given an opportunity to respond to the proposed denial. If privilege(s) are to be denied, the student and parent/guardian shall receive written notice of the denied privilege and the means whereby he/she may appeal this decision.
(cf. 5125.2 - Withholding Grades, Diploma or Transcripts)
(cf. 5144 - Discipline)
(cf. 6161.2 - Damaged or Lost Instructional Materials)
Conduct at Graduation Ceremonies
Any student participating in a graduation ceremony shall comply with district policies and regulations pertaining to student conduct.
The Superintendent or designee may require graduating students to wear ceremonial attire, such as cap and gown, at the ceremony.
However, any graduating student who has completed basic training and is an active member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces may, at his/her option, wear his/her military dress uniform at the ceremony. (Education Code 35183.3)
Honors and Awards
To honor superior academic achievement, graduation ceremonies shall include recognition of valedictorian(s) and salutatorian(s). The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures that ensure a fair determination of the valedictorian(s) and salutatorian(s).
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
The Superintendent or designee shall identify other school-sponsored awards which may be given during graduation exercises. A separate awards program may be held to recognize graduating students receiving other school and nonschool awards.
(cf. 5126 - Awards for Achievement)
Foreign exchange students may receive honorary diplomas during the graduation ceremony. (Education Code 51225.5)
(cf. 6145.6 - International Exchange)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35183.3 Graduation ceremonies; military dress uniforms
38119 Lease of personal property; caps and gowns
48904 Liability of parent or guardian; withholding of grades, diplomas, transcripts
51225.5 Honorary diplomas; foreign exchange students
COURT DECISIONS
Cole v. Oroville Union High School District, (2000, 9th Cir.) 228 F.3d 1092
Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, (2000) 530 U.S. 290
Lee v. Weisman, (1992) 505 U.S. 577
Sands v. Morongo Unified School District, (1991) 53 Cal. 3d 863
Lemon v. Kurtzman, (1971) 403 U.S. 602
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
California Department of Education, High School: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/
Policy CLAREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: February 2006 Claremont, California
revised: September 17, 2007
revised: June 2011