N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:8-5.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 6A:8-5.2 - High school diplomas

(a) District boards of education shall award a State-endorsed high school diploma to prospective graduates who have met all of the requirements adopted in accordance with 6A:8-5.1(a) or (c), or (d) below.

(b) District boards of education shall not issue a high school diploma to any student not meeting the criteria specified in the rule provisions referenced at (a) above.

1. District boards of education shall provide students exiting grade 12 without a diploma the opportunity for continued high school enrollment to age 20 or until the requirements for a State-endorsed diploma have been met, whichever comes first.

2. District boards of education shall allow any out-of-school individual to age 20 who has otherwise met all State and local graduation requirements but has failed to pass the State proficiency test to demonstrate proficiency through alternative means as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)6 through (i), as applicable, pursuant to the standards applicable to the student's graduating class. Students in graduating classes prior to 2018 shall demonstrate proficiency as set forth for the classes of 2018 through 2022 at N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(f)1. Upon certification of passing the test applicable to the student's class in accordance with this chapter, a State-endorsed diploma shall be granted by the high school of record.

(c) Pursuant to 6A:20-1.4, the Commissioner shall award a State-issued high school diploma based on achieving the Statewide standard score on the General Education Development test (GED) or other adult education assessments to individuals age 16 or older who are no longer enrolled in school and have not achieved a high school credential.

(d) The Commissioner shall award a State-issued high school diploma to individuals age 16 or older and no longer enrolled in high school based on official transcripts showing at least 30 general education credits leading to a degree at an accredited institution of higher education. Included in the 30 general education credits must be a minimum of 15 credits with at least three credits in each of the five general education categories as follows: English; mathematics; science; social science; and the humanities.

(e) District boards of education shall award a State-endorsed high school diploma to any currently enrolled student, regardless of grade level, who:

1. Has demonstrated proficiency in the high school end-of-course PARCC assessments in ELA 10 and Algebra I, or as set forth in 6A:8-5.1(f);

2. Has presented official transcripts showing at least 30 general education credits leading to a degree at an accredited institution of higher education; and

3. Has formally requested such early award of a State-endorsed high school diploma.

(f) Pursuant to 18A:7C-7 and 18A:7E-3, the chief school administrator or lead person of a charter school shall report annually to the district board of education or the charter school board of trustees at a public meeting not later than September 30, and to the Commissioner:

1. The total number of students graduated;

2. The number of students graduated under the substitute competency test process;

3. The number of students graduated under the portfolio appeals process;

4. The number of students receiving State-endorsed high school diplomas as a result of meeting any alternate requirements for graduation as specified in their IEPs;

5. The total number of students denied graduation from the 12th grade class; and

6. The number of students denied graduation from the 12th grade class solely because of failure to pass the high school end-of-course PARCC assessments, substitute competency tests, or portfolio appeals process based on the provisions of this chapter.

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:8-5.2

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 1790(b), effective 9/6/2016

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 1676(a), effective 10/4/2021