Current through Register Vol. 52, No. 6, March 21, 2025
A. The types of
diplomas and certificates specified in §§B-D of this regulation shall
be awarded to any student who meets the requirements for award.
B. Maryland High School Diploma. Except as
provided in Regulation .12 of this chapter, to be awarded a Maryland high
school diploma, a student shall:
(1) Complete
the enrollment, credit, and service requirements as specified in this
chapter;
(2) Complete local school
system requirements; and
(3) Meet
the graduation assessment requirements in the following ways:
(a) Take the Maryland Comprehensive
Assessments for Algebra I, science, government, and English 10; or
(b) Take an approved alternative assessment
as established by the Department, such as Maryland Comprehensive Assessment for
Algebra II, Advanced Placement examinations, SAT, ACT, or International
Baccalaureate examinations.
C. Exception to Passing Score Requirement.
For the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school years,
students taking the Algebra I, English 10, science, and government Maryland
Comprehensive Assessment will meet the graduation assessment requirement for
Algebra I, English 10, science, and government.
D. Maryland High School Diploma by
Examination.
(1) General Educational
Development Testing Program. A Maryland High School Diploma by Examination may
be awarded for satisfactory performance on approved general educational
development tests if the student meets those requirements as defined in Labor
and Employment Article, §
11-808,
Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 09.37.01.04.
(2) Maryland Adult External High School
Diploma Program. A Maryland High School Diploma by Examination may be awarded
for demonstrating competencies in general life skills and individual skills on
applied performance tests if the student meets those requirements as defined in
COMAR 09.37.01.20.
E.
Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion.
(1) This certificate shall be awarded only to
students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma but
who meet the following standards:
(a) The
student is enrolled in an education program for at least 4 years beyond grade 8
or its age equivalent, and is determined by an IEP team, with the agreement of
the student and the parents of the student, to have developed appropriate
skills for the individual to enter the world of work, act responsibly as a
citizen, and enjoy a fulfilling life, with the world of work including but not
limited to:
(ii) Post-secondary education and
training;
(iii) Supported
employment; and
(iv) Other services
that are integrated in the community; or
(b) The student has been enrolled in an
education program for 4 years beyond grade 8 or its age equivalent and will
have reached age 21 by the end of the student's current school
year.
(2) The Maryland
Summary of Performance that describes the student's skills shall accompany the
Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion.
(3) The final decision to award a student
with disabilities a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion will
not be made until after the beginning of the student's last year in high
school.
(4) A student with
significant cognitive disability may not meet high school graduation
requirements, in accordance with §B of this regulation, if a student:
(a) Participates in an Alternative Assessment
based on Alternative Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS); and
(b) Continues to receive instruction based on
Alternative Academic Achievement Standards through high
school.
(5) If a student
participates in a graduation ceremony prior to the completion of the student's
education program, at the ceremony the school system shall issue to the student
a Certificate of Achievement or other similarly titled certificate in place of
a diploma.
(6) Certificate
Endorsement.
(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025
school year, students completing a Certificate may earn one or more
endorsements.
(b) The endorsements
include a Post-Secondary Education endorsement, a Work-Ready/Employment/Career
endorsement, and a Community/Citizenship endorsement.
(c) Requirements for the endorsements will be
identified by the Department.
F. Local Endorsements. Consistent with
procedures established by the Department, each local school system may add
endorsements to the diploma as incentives for students to meet locally
established requirements and outcomes in instruction beyond the minimums
specified by the State.
G. At least
yearly, through the end of the implementation, the State Board will review and
assess updated information on the graduation assessment requirements and
scores.
H. Maryland High School
Diploma. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, except as provided in
Regulation .12 of this chapter, to be awarded a Maryland high school diploma, a
student shall:
(1) Complete the enrollment,
credit, assessment and service requirements as specified in this chapter;
and
(2) Complete local school
system requirements.
I.
State Endorsements.
(1) Beginning with the
2024-2025 school year, students graduating may earn a College Ready State
endorsement, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) State endorsement, or
both.
(2) The Department will
establish the requirements for the endorsements.
