Current Statutory Definitions of Diploma 

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

    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. The commissioner shall issue a diploma authorized by this subsection upon compliance with the requirements of this subsection or as soon thereafter as possible.

    2. Equivalency diploma status.  High school equivalency diplomas have the legal status of high school diplomas.

    3. Fees.  A fee may not be charged for the issuance of any high school equivalency diploma to residents of the State.

    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  
 
 
 
 

§4722. High school diploma standards

A secondary school shall provide at least one course of study leading to a high school diploma that must meet the following standards. The commissioner shall develop rules for the transition between the requirements of this section and the system of learning results as established in section 6209.

    1. Minimum instructional requirements.  A diploma course of study shall include a minimum 4-year program of instruction which meets the curriculum requirements established by this chapter and any other instructional requirements established by the commissioner and the school board.

    2. Required subjects.  Courses in the following subjects shall be provided in separate or integrated study programs to all students and required for a high school diploma:

    A. English--4 years;

    B. Social studies and history, including American history and government--2 years;  C. Mathematics--2 years;

    D. Science, including at least one year of laboratory study--2 years; and

      E. Fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama--one year. [ 

    3. Satisfactory completion.  A diploma may be awarded to secondary school students who have satisfactorily completed all diploma requirements in accordance with the academic standards of the school administrative unit and this chapter. All secondary school students must work toward achievement of the content standards of the system of learning results established pursuant to section 6209. Children with disabilities, as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-A, who successfully meet the content standards of the system of learning results in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to all secondary school students, as specified by the goals and objectives of their individualized education plans, may be awarded a high school diploma. Career and technical students may, with the approval of the commissioner, satisfy the 2nd-year math and science, the 2nd-year social studies and the fine arts requirements of subsection 2 through separate or integrated study within the career and technical school curriculum.

    Students who experience education disruption, as defined in section 5001-A, subsection 4, paragraph F, who successfully demonstrate achievement of the content standards of the system of learning results in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to secondary school students as set forth in their school work recognition plans as defined in section 5161, subsection 6 must, with the approval of the commissioner, be awarded a Department of Education diploma as defined in section 5161, subsection 2.