Section 55154 - Adult High School Diploma Programs(a) Before offering any noncredit course as part of a high school diploma program on or after June 30, 2009, the governing board of a community college district must approve its high school diploma program and have it chaptered in the chancellor's office curriculum inventory system, as provided in section 55150.(b) For purposes of this section, the term "high school diploma program" means an organized sequence of noncredit courses designed to meet the needs of adult learners which leads to a high school diploma which is awarded by the community college district or jointly by the district and a high school.(c) The submission for chaptering shall include all of the following: (1) A statement that both the local curriculum committee(s) and the district governing board have reviewed and approved the high school diploma program.(2) Information demonstrating that there exists demand for the college to offer a high school diploma program for adult learners in the area.(3) Coursework requirements and content standards that meet or exceed those described in subdivision (e).(4) Comprehensive descriptions of program organization, instructional support services, student services, facilities and ongoing staffing efforts to demonstrate that the district has the resources to maintain the high school diploma program.(5) A copy of the proposed catalog description.(6) Requirements or conditions by which a student can obtain high school credit by examination or by successfully completing college degree-applicable or nondegree-applicable credit course work and any alternative means for students to complete the prescribed course of study.(7) A description of the student assessment procedures for academic placement in the program and a description of how the district will evaluate student progress.(d)(1) The governing board of a community college district shall confer a high school diploma upon a student who has satisfactorily completed at least 160 credits of high school level coursework and who has demonstrated competence in reading, writing, and mathematics at a level generally accepted as appropriate for award of a high school diploma. The required 160 credits of high school level course work must be fulfilled in a core curriculum consisting of courses in the categories described in paragraph (2) and accepted toward the diploma by a college within the district (as shown in its catalog). A college may accept toward satisfaction of this requirement courses that were completed at an accredited high school or college that would reasonably be expected to meet or exceed the standards of this section, provided that at least 20 of the total 160 required high school credits must be completed in residence at the college granting the diploma.(2) The curriculum must include the indicated minimum number of high school credits in each of the areas listed below. Each course shall be of a duration sufficient to permit a student to master the content of the course as specified in the content standards described in paragraph (3). (A) Natural Sciences. A minimum of 20 high school credits shall be required in natural sciences, including biological and physical sciences. Courses in the natural sciences are those which examine the physical universe, its life forms, and its natural phenomena. To satisfy the core curriculum requirement in natural sciences, a course shall be designed to help the student develop an appreciation and understanding of the scientific method, and encourage an understanding of the relationships between science and other human activities. This category may include introductory or integrative courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, general physical science, geology, meteorology, oceanography, physical geography, physical anthropology, physics and other scientific disciplines.(B) Social and Behavioral Sciences. A minimum of 30 high school credits shall be required in social and behavioral sciences. Courses in the social and behavioral sciences are those which focus on people as members of society. To satisfy the core curriculum requirement in social and behavioral sciences, a course shall be designed to develop an awareness of the method of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences. It shall be designed to stimulate critical thinking about the ways people act and have acted in response to their societies and should promote appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate. Each student shall be required to complete coursework that addresses United States history and geography; world history, geography, and culture; American government and civics; and economics. This category may also include introductory or integrative survey courses in cultural anthropology, cultural geography, political science, psychology, sociology and related disciplines, as well as additional courses in economics, American government, United States history, and world history.(C) Humanities. A minimum of 10 high school credits shall be required in humanities. Courses in the humanities are those which study the cultural activities and artistic expressions of human beings. To satisfy the core curriculum requirement in the humanities, a course shall be designed to help the student develop an awareness of the ways in which people throughout the ages and in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation and help the student develop aesthetic understanding and an ability to make value judgments. Each student shall be required to complete one course in visual or performing arts or foreign language. This category may also include introductory or integrative courses in literature, philosophy, and religion, as well as additional courses in the arts, and foreign languages. For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this paragraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in foreign language.(D) English. A minimum of 30 high school credits shall be required in English. Courses in English are those which develop the principles and applications of language toward logical thought, clear and precise expression and critical evaluation. To satisfy the core curriculum requirement in English, a course shall be designed to develop reading, writing, and verbal expression skills as applicable to the needs and interests of an adult. Such courses may include introductory or integrative courses in literature and English grammar, writing strategies, and mechanics.(E) Mathematics. A minimum of 20 high school credits shall be required in mathematics. Courses in mathematics develop the ability to reason with and apply mathematical operations and principles. To satisfy the core curriculum requirement in mathematics, a course shall be designed to help a student gain facility in the operations of mathematics as well as its practical applications. Such courses may include algebra, geometry, applied mathematics, and calculus.(3) Course content standards for the coursework described in subdivision (2) must meet or exceed the standards for the high school curriculum established by the California State Board of Education.(e) Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, any student enrolled in a high school diploma program prior to June 30, 2009, may receive a high school diploma based on completion of the curriculum required for the program as set forth in the college catalog in effect at the time the student first enrolled in the program; provided the student remains continuously enrolled without a break of more than one primary term subsequent to the Spring 2009 term.(f) In order for a high school diploma program to qualify for enhanced noncredit funding pursuant to Education Code sections 84750.5 and 84760.5, the application for approval must satisfy the requirements of section 55151.(g) For the purposes of this section, a noncredit course awarding 10 high school credits must be designed to require a minimum of 144 hours of lecture, study or laboratory work.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 5, § 55154
1. New section filed 7-17-2007; operative 8-16-2007. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2007, No. 35).
2. Amendment filed 5-16-2008; operative 6-15-2008. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2008, No. 21).
3. Repealer of subsection (d), subsection relettering and amendment of NOTE filed 12-14-2011; operative 1-13-2011. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2011, No. 51).
4. Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) filed 3-11-2020; operative 4-10-2020. Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2020, No. 12). Note: Authority cited: Sections 66700, 70901, 78401, 84750.5 and 84760.5, Education Code. Reference: Sections 70901, 70902, 78401, 84750.5 and 84760.5, Education Code.
1. New section filed 7-17-2007; operative 8-16-2007. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2007, No. 35).
2. Amendment filed 5-16-2008; operative 6-15-2008. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2008, No. 21).
3. Repealer of subsection (d), subsection relettering and amendment of Note filed 12-14-2011; operative 1-13-2011. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5(Register 2011, No. 51).
4. Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) filed 3-11-2020; operative 4/10/2020. Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to Education Code section 70901.5 (Register 2020, No. 12).