Mt. Diablo USD
Board Policy
High School Graduation Requirements

BP 6146.1 
Instruction

The Governing Board desires to prepare each student to obtain a diploma of high school graduation in order to provide students with opportunities for postsecondary education and/or employment.

(cf. 0420.3 - School-Based Student Motivation and Maintenance Program)
(cf. 5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)
(cf. 5127 - Graduation Ceremonies and Activities)
(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)
(cf. 5149 - At-Risk Students)
(cf. 6164.2 - Guidance/Counseling Services)
(cf. 6146.5 - Elementary/Middle School Graduation Requirements)

In addition to the basic course of study, every student shall have passed the California High School Exit Exam as required by California state law, beginning with the class of 2006.  Students, including English learners, who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination by the end of grade 12 are to be provided the opportunity to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12.

Course Requirements

To obtain a diploma of graduation from high school, students shall complete at least the following courses in grades 9 through 12, with each course being one year unless otherwise specified:  (Education Code 51225.3)

1.	Four courses in English

(cf. 6142.91 - Reading/Language Arts Instruction)

2.	Two courses in mathematics

State statute governs the minimum requirements for earning a high school diploma.  A course in Algebra 1 (or its equivalent) is one of the state's requirements.  All students in the class of 2005 and beyond (Education Code 51224.5), including students with disabilities must pass an Algebra 1 (or its equivalent) course that meets the content standards adopted by the State Board of Education in order to receive a high school diploma.

If any student completes coursework in grades 7 through 12 that meets or exceeds state academic content standards for algebra, those courses shall apply toward satisfying this algebra requirement.  (Education Code 51224.5 and 51225.3)

Students with Individual Education Programs

A district or county office of education governing board or a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) has a right to file an Education Code 56101 specific waiver form for individual students with the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education may grant, in whole or in part, any request pursuant to subdivision when the facts indicate that failure to do so would hinder implementation of the student's individualized education program.

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6142.92 - Mathematics Instruction)

3.	Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences

(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

5.	One course in fine arts or foreign language

(cf. 6142.6 - Visual and Performing Arts Education)

6.	Students are to be enrolled in physical education for two years, unless exempt in accordance with Education Code 51241.  For the deferral, they must take 9th grade PE and pass the Physical Performance Test by meeting any 5 of the 6 standards.

Students may apply to have the second year of PE deferred to the 11th or 12th grade year, with the approval of the site principal.  Application for a deferral must be made by April 15 of the school year along with evidence that 5 of the 6 standards on the Physical Performance Test have been successfully mastered.  The 9th grade Physical Performance Test may be given to students in any grade 10 to 12 inclusive.

(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education)
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.3 - Reciprocity of Academic Credit)

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)

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)
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)

Exit Exam for the Classes of 2006 and Later

As specified in state law, each student completing grade 12 shall have successfully passed the state exit examination in language arts and mathematics as a condition of high school graduation. (Education Code 60851)

(cf. 6146.4 - Differential Graduation and Competency Standards for Students with Disabilities)
(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)
(cf. 6162.52 - High School Exit Examination)

Supplemental instruction shall be made available to any student who does not demonstrate "sufficient progress," as defined in Board policy, toward passing the exit examination. (Education Code 37252, 60851)

(cf. 6176 - Weekend/Saturday Classes)
(cf. 6177 - Summer School)
(cf. 6179 - Supplemental Instruction)

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35186  Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures
37252  Supplemental instructional programs
37254  Supplemental instruction based on failure to pass exit exam by end of grade 12
37254.1  Required student participation in supplemental instruction
47612  Enrollment in charter school
48200  Compulsory attendance
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
51225.3  Requirements for graduation
51225.2 Student in foster care defined; acceptance of coursework, credits, retaking of coursework
51225.5  Honorary diplomas; foreign exchange students
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
52378  Supplemental school counseling program
56390-56392  Recognition for educational achievement, special education
60850-60859  High school exit examination
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:
CSBA:  http://www.csba.org
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs

Policy	MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: June 22, 2010 April 13, 2020	Concord, California