20-A §257. High school equivalency diplomas
Title 20-A: EDUCATION
Part 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 3: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Subchapter 2: COMMISSIONER
§257. High school equivalency diplomas
1. Issuance of diploma. The commissioner shall issue a high school equivalency diploma to a person who:
A. Is at least 18 years of age, if that person:
(1) Has completed a formal training program approved by the commissioner; and
(2) Has demonstrated, through procedures prescribed by the commissioner, attainment of a general educational development comparable to that of a secondary school graduate; or [1991, c. 662, §1 (RPR).]
B. Is 17 years of age, if that person:
(1) Has not been in attendance for one year or more at a public school or a private school approved by the department pursuant to chapter 117, or has documented an immediate need for a high school equivalency diploma to the superintendent of schools for the school administrative unit in which that person resides, and has received written approval for the issuance of a high school equivalency diploma from the superintendent;
(2) Has completed a formal training program approved by the commissioner; and
(3) Has demonstrated, through procedures prescribed by the commissioner, attainment of a general educational development comparable to that of a secondary school graduate. [1991, c. 662, §1 (RPR).]
C. [1991, c. 662, §1 (RP).]
D. [1991, c. 662, §1 (RP).]
E. [1991, c. 662, §1 (RP).]
The commissioner shall issue a diploma authorized by this subsection upon compliance with the requirements of this subsection or as soon thereafter as possible.
[ 1991, c. 662, §1 (RPR) .]
2. Equivalency diploma status. High school equivalency diplomas have the legal status of high school diplomas.
[ 1991, c. 662, §1 (RPR) .]
3. Fees. A fee may not be charged for the issuance of any high school equivalency diploma to residents of the State.
[ 1991, c. 662, §1 (RPR) .]
4. Department of Education diploma. The commissioner shall issue a Department of Education diploma as defined in section 5161, subsection 2 to a student who is unable to obtain a locally awarded diploma due to disruption of education resulting from homelessness, unplanned psychiatric hospitalization, unplanned hospitalization for a medical emergency, foster care placement, youth development center placement or some other out-of-district placement that is not otherwise authorized by either an individualized education plan or other education plan or a superintendent's agreement developed in accordance with section 5205, subsection 2.
The diploma must be issued to students who have successfully demonstrated achievement of the content standards of the system of learning results established pursuant to section 6209 in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to secondary students as set forth in their school work recognition plan as defined in section 5161, subsection 6.
[ 2007, c. 451, §1 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). 1983, c. 151, (AMD). 1983, c. 806, §5 (AMD). 1985, c. 774, §3 (AMD). 1989, c. 525, §1 (AMD). 1991, c. 662, §1 (RPR). 2007, c. 451, §1 (AMD).