SUMMARY: LC 33 2776

Requires the State Board of Education to establish three diploma options for high school students: general diploma, career/vocational/technical diploma, and college preparation diploma.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Lists specific student competencies and detailed course requirements the State Board of Education shall incorporate in each of the three diploma areas.
• Adds community service as a requirement.
• Only students completing the college prep. curriculum may use the school code for purposes of SAT administration.
• The program is to be implemented in the 2009-2010 school year.
• Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 may choose whether to participate in the three diploma option program.
• Requirements for a special education diploma are not affected.
• Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, implementation of the state-required student assessment system shall apply only to students pursuing a college preparation program.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• In general, curriculum decisions should be made by the State Board of Education with input from educational professionals and parents rather than the General Assembly.
• Significant state and local resources have been expended in moving toward the currently approved single diploma.
• Moving to a three diploma system with corresponding curricular changes can be very costly at both the state and local levels.
• The issue of community service requirements should be a local board decision.
• SAT scores of students who are not in the college prep. track would not be counted in aggregate scores.
• Implementing two system of graduation requirements will lead to additional paperwork and confusion.
• Implementation in the 2009-2010 school year is inadequate time for preparation.
• Restriction of the state-required student assessment system only to students pursuing a college preparation program violates the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2009 for students entering ninth grade.