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Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • Fax: 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org
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California Honors Diploma/Curriculum Requirements
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| Honors/College Prep Diploma or Endorsement |
| State has honors/college prep diploma or endorsement |
Yes, 2 options
Notes/Citation: State offers A-G curriculum and the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma. |
| English units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.+1
Notes/Citation: Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Student must also demonstrate "mastery of the curriculum in at least six" subjects, four of which must be math, English, science and U.S. history, with the student choosing the other two subjects. |
| Math units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.+1
Notes/Citation: Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Student must also demonstrate "mastery of the curriculum in at least six" subjects, four of which must be math, English, science and U.S. history, with the student choosing the other two subjects. Math assessments must be above the Algebra I/Integrated Mathematics I level. |
| Social studies units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.-1
Notes/Citation: Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Student must also demonstrate "mastery of the curriculum in at least six" subjects, four of which must be math, English, science and grade 11 U.S. history, with the student choosing the other two subjects. |
| Science units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: See notes
Notes/Citation: Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Student must also demonstrate "mastery of the curriculum in at least six" subjects, four of which must be math, English, science and U.S. history, with the student choosing the other two subjects. A-G: Must complete 2 units as with standard diploma, but 2 units must be lab-based science (standard diploma units need not be lab-based). |
| P.E./Health units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.-2 |
| Arts units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.+1 (Std.=0) |
| Foreign Language units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.+2 (Std.=0) |
| Electives units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.+1 (Std.=0)
Notes/Citation: A-G: Electives must be chosen from "any combination of English, mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts, and other fields of study determined by the Chancellor to be appropriate preparation..." |
| Other units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma and A-G: Same as std. (=0) |
| TOTAL # units (H/CP) |
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma: Same as std.
A-G: Std.+2 |
| Technical notes and citations (H/CP) |
The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma is awarded to any student who completes all diploma requirements and demonstrates "mastery of the curriculum in at least six" subjects, four of which must be math, English, science and U.S. history, with the student choosing the other two subjects. In subjects included in the Golden State Examination, that exam must be the means by which students demonstrate mastery of the curriculum. Students must earn a scaled score of at least 370 on a California Standards Test (CST) "or a performance level or recognition, honors or high honors on a Golden State Examination (GSE)." The Algebra I CST, General Mathematics CST and Integrated Mathematics 1 CST may not be used as any of the six tests on which mastery is demonstrated. Students may not use both a CST and the GSE in the same subject to demonstrate mastery. This diploma is not aligned with state-set college admissions course requirements in that it is based on assessment scores rather than number and type of courses completed.
A-G Curriculum: This curriculum is aligned with the course requirements for freshman admissions to the University of California and California State University. The state superintendent is mandated to help all districts ensure that all high school students "have access to a core curriculum that meets the admission requirements of the University of California and the California State University" (the A-G curriculum).
CAL. EDUC. CODE § 51450, 51451, 51452, 51453, 51454, 51455, 66204; CAL. CODE REGS. tit. 5, § 876, 40601 |