Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024
A.
For the purposes of this rule, the following definitions shall apply:
1. "DANTES" means the Defense Activity for
Non-Traditional Education Support.
2. "Department" means the Adult Education
Services Division of the Arizona Department of Education.
3. "Equivalency Test" means A High School
Equivalency Test approved by the State Board of Education.
4. "High School Equivalency Testing Center"
means a testing center established by the Department for the purpose of
administering High School Equivalency tests and providing High School
Equivalency testing services pursuant to the requirements established by a
State Board approved testing provider and state jurisdictional rules.
5. "USAFI" means the
United States Armed Forces Institute.
B. Eligibility requirements. Any individual
who is 16 years of age or older and who has officially been withdrawn from
school may take a High School Equivalency Test.
1. Individuals shall be required to provide
the High School Equivalency Testing Center with positive identification and
proof of age, and
2. Individuals
who are at least 16 years of age and under 18 years of age shall also be
required to provide:
a. A signed and
notarized statement of consent from a parent or legal guardian, and
b. A letter from the last school attended
verifying that the individual has officially withdrawn from the
school.
C.
Issuance of a diploma. The Department shall issue a high school equivalency
diploma to any individual who has not received a high school diploma or high
school equivalency certificate or diploma if the individual:
1. Meets the eligibility requirements
specified in subsection (B) and has received passing scores on a High School
Equivalency Test; or
2. Is a member
of the U.S. Armed Forces and has received passing scores on a High School
Equivalency Test through USAFI or DANTES provided that the individual's last
high school enrollment was in an Arizona high school. Individuals who have
taken a High School Equivalency Test through USAFI or DANTES shall send their
military permanent record and application card to DANTES with a request that
the official High School Equivalency Test scores and application card be
forwarded to the Department; or
3.
Has received passing scores on a High School Equivalency Test taken at an
approved testing provider's site, provided that the Department receives an
official transcript directly from the approved testing provider.
D. The Department shall keep a
record of test scores for each individual who has taken the a High School
Equivalency Test.
E. The Arizona
Department of Education may collect fees for the issuance of High School
Equivalency Diplomas and Transcripts. Fees established pursuant to this Section
shall not exceed $20.
1. The State Board of
Education will deposit, pursuant to A.R.S. §§
35-146
and
35-147,
fees collected under this Section in the High School Equivalency Testing
Revenue Account within the Arizona Department of Education budget, to be used
to offset costs of providing these services.
2. If the state fee for General High School
Equivalency Diplomas and/or Transcripts presents a financial hardship for the
examinee, the examinee may request a fee waiver.
3. A fee waiver shall be granted if all of
the following apply:
a. Applicant presents
documented proof of Arizona residency.
b. Applicant submits a completed Fee Waiver
Request Form, available from the State High School Equivalency Testing Office
or from any official High School Equivalency Testing Center.
c. Applicant demonstrates sufficient need for
a fee waiver. This may include, but is not limited to the following:
i. Proof of eligibility for public assistance
and/or federally subsidized housing,
ii. Residence in a foster home,
iii. Enrollment in a program for the
economically disadvantaged such as Upward Bound, or
iv. Participation in a free or reduced lunch
program.