The Governing Board desires to prepare all students to obtain a high school diploma so that they can take advantage of opportunities for postsecondary education and employment.
(cf. 5127 - Graduation Ceremonies and Activities)
(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.3 - Reciprocity of Academic Credit)
Course Requirements
To obtain a high school diploma, students shall complete the following courses in grades 9-12, with each course being one year unless otherwise specified:
1. Three courses in English (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.91 - Reading/Language Arts Instruction)
2. Two courses in mathematics (Education Code 51225.3)
At least one mathematics course, or a combination of the two mathematics courses, shall meet or exceed state academic content standards for Algebra I or Mathematics I. Completion of such coursework prior to grade 9 shall satisfy the Algebra I or Mathematics I requirement, but shall not exempt a student from the requirement to complete two mathematics courses in grades 9-12. (Education Code 51224.5)
Students may be awarded up to one mathematics course credit for successful completion of an approved computer science course that is classified as a "category c" course based on the "a-g" course requirements for college admission. (Education Code 51225.3, 51225.35)
(cf. 6142.92 - Mathematics Instruction)
(cf. 6152.1 - Placement in Mathematics Courses)
3. Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.93 - Science Instruction)
4. Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.3 - Civic Education)
(cf. 6142.94 - History-Social Science Instruction)
5. One course in visual or performing arts; foreign language, including American Sign Language; or career technical education (CTE) (Education Code 51225.3)
To be counted towards meeting graduation requirements, a CTE course shall be aligned to the CTE model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the State Board of Education.
(cf. 6142.2 - World/Foreign Language Instruction)
(cf. 6142.6 - Visual and Performing Arts Education)
(cf. 6178 - Career Technical Education)
(cf. 6178.2 - Regional Occupational Center/Program)
6. Two courses in physical education, unless the student has been otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education and Activity)
7. Must complete a minimum of 85 Youth Service Learning hours.
8. Must pass their student portfolio with 80% or better.
9. Must complete the senior exit interview.
(cf. 6142.1 - Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction)
(cf. 6142.4 - Service Learning/Community Service Classes)
(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)
Because the prescribed course of study may not accommodate the needs of some students, the Board shall provide alternative means for the completion of prescribed courses in accordance with law.
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
(cf. 6146.2 - Certificate of Proficiency/High School Equivalency)
(cf. 6146.4 - Differential Graduation and Competency Standards for Students with Disabilities)
Exemptions from District-Adopted Graduation Requirements
District students are required to complete graduation course requirements specified above, including the requirements imposed by Education Code 51225.3 and those adopted by the Board. However, a foster youth, homeless student, former juvenile court school student, child of a military family, or migrant student who transfers into the district or between district schools any time after completing the second year of high school, or a newly arrived immigrant student who is in the third or fourth year of high school and is participating in a newcomer program, shall be exempted from any graduation requirements adopted by the Board that are in addition to statewide course requirements. This exemption shall not apply if the Superintendent or designee makes a finding that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate by the end of the fourth year of high school. Within 30 days of the transfer or of the commencement of participation in a newcomer program, as applicable, the Superintendent or designee shall notify any eligible student of the availability of the exemption and whether the student qualifies for it. (Education Code 51225.1)
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)
(cf. 6173 - Education for Homeless Children)
(cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth)
(cf. 6173.2 - Education of Children of Military Families)
(cf. 6173.3 - Education for Juvenile Court School Students)
(cf. 6175 - Migrant Education Program)
Retroactive Diplomas
Any student who completed grade 12 in the 2003-04 through 2014-15 school year and met all applicable graduation requirements other than the passage of the high school exit examination shall be granted a high school diploma. (Education Code 51413)
In addition, the district may retroactively grant high school diplomas to: (Education Code 48204.4, 51430, 51440)
1. Persons who departed California against their will while in grade 12 and did not receive a diploma because the departure interrupted their education, provided that they were in good academic standing at the time of the departure
Persons may be considered to have departed California against their will if they were in custody of a government agency and were transferred to another state, were subject to a lawful order from a court or government agency that authorized their removal from California, were subject to a lawful order and were permitted to depart California before being removed from California pursuant to the lawful order, were removed or were permitted to depart voluntarily pursuant to the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, or departed due to other circumstances determined by the district that are consistent with the purposes of Education Code 48204.4.
In determining whether to award a diploma under these circumstances, the Superintendent or designee shall consider any coursework that may have been completed outside of the United States or through online or virtual courses.
2. Former students who were interned by order of the federal government during World War II or who are honorably discharged veterans of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, provided that they were enrolled in a district school immediately preceding the internment or military service and did not receive a diploma because their education was interrupted due to the internment or military service in those wars
Deceased former students who satisfy these conditions may be granted a retroactive diploma to be received by their next of kin.
3. Veterans who entered the military service of the United States while in grade 12 and who had satisfactorily completed the first half of the work required for grade 12 in a district school
Honorary Diplomas
The Board may grant an honorary high school diploma to: (Education Code 51225.5)
1. An international exchange student who has not completed the course of study ordinarily required for graduation and who is returning to the home country following the completion of one academic school year in the district
(cf. 6145.6 - International Exchange)
2. A student who is terminally ill
The honorary diploma shall be clearly distinguishable from the regular diploma of graduation awarded by the district. (Education Code 51225.5)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
47612 Enrollment in charter school
48200 Compulsory attendance
48204.4 Parents/guardians departing California against their will
48412 Certificate of proficiency
48430 Continuation education schools and classes
48645.5 Acceptance of coursework
48980 Required notification at beginning of term
49701 Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
51224 Skills and knowledge required for adult life
51224.5 Algebra instruction
51225.1 Exemption from district graduation requirements
51225.2 Student in foster care defined; acceptance of coursework, credits, retaking of course
51225.3 High school graduation
51225.35 Mathematics course requirements; computer science
51225.36 Instruction in sexual harassment and violence; districts that require health education for graduation
51225.5 Honorary diplomas
51225.6 Compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation
51228 Graduation requirements
51240-51246 Exemptions from requirements
51250-51251 Assistance to military dependents
51410-51413 Diplomas
51420-51427 High school equivalency certificates
51430 Retroactive high school diplomas
51440 Retroactive high school diplomas
51450-51455 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
51745 Independent study restrictions
56390-56392 Recognition for educational achievement, special education
66204 Certification of high school courses as meeting university admissions criteria
67386 Student safety; affirmative consent standard
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
1600-1651 Graduation of students from grade 12 and credit toward graduation
4600-4670 Uniform complaint procedures
COURT DECISIONS
O'Connell v. Superior Court (Valenzuela), (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 1452
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education, High School: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs
University of California, List of Approved a-g Courses: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements
Policy WOODLAKE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: August 14, 2019 Woodlake, California