CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
Diplomas
Diplomas for students meeting graduation requirements shall be ordered by the school system upon the recommendation of the principal. The principal shall file a list of students including the information needed for the diploma orders in time to ensure that the diplomas will be available for delivery on schedule. Diplomas shall be signed by the Chair of the DeKalb County Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools.
No principal shall award a diploma until there is a certified statement on file that the student has completed graduation requirements. A certified list of graduates of each high school shall be filed in the Office of the Superintendent or designee on the day diplomas are issued.
Where diplomas are issued irregularly, as in the case of general education diploma (GED) tests or makeup work, the provision for awarding diplomas by the principal remains the same. Also, a certified statement that the students have completed the graduation requirements shall be filed in the Office of the Superintendent prior to delivery of the diplomas.
Students who complete requirements for a high school diploma at the Open Campus High School will normally participate in graduation exercises at the Open Campus High School. Such candidates for high school graduation will be granted the option of receiving a regular diploma from the DeKalb County high school previously attended provided they meet all the requirements of that school, or a diploma from the Open Campus High School provided they meet the requirements of that school. If candidates for graduation decide not to participate in the graduation exercises at the Open Campus High School, they will be permitted to receive a diploma either by mail or in person. Students who elect to participate in the graduation ceremony of the high school issuing the diploma will be permitted to do so. Students completing graduation requirements at the Open Campus High School may be permitted to purchase a class ring from the institution issuing the diploma.
Under no circumstances shall a student be given an unsigned diploma. Only students who have met all graduation requirements shall be permitted to participate in graduation exercises.
Certificates
Students who have fulfilled course requirements for graduation but who are unable to demonstrate the minimum competencies as set forth in the state assessment requirements for high school graduation will receive a certificate in lieu of a diploma.
Legal References
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0154 — Remedial education program (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0282 — Georgia Academic Placement and Promotion Policy (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0283 — Georgia Academic Placement and Promotion Policy-Criteria; specific requirements for students in grades three, five and eight; implementation (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0284 — Criteria for local boards of education; model placement and promotion policy (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-03-0496 — Definitions. Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship Program. (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-03-0497 — Establishment of REACH scholarship; student requirements. (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-14-0025 — Office of Student Achievement-Creation; director; authority; seal; administrative assignment (Lexis)
- Rule 160-7-1-.01 — Single Statewide Accountability System
- 20 USC 7116 — 21st Century Schools-Local educational agency applications