Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains most frequently asked questions. Please direct other questions to program contacts.

1. What are the high school graduate course requirements in California?
   
2. Are students of a California approved charter school required to complete the 13 minimum courses mandated for graduation?
   
3. Are students of private high schools required to complete the 13 minimum courses for graduation?
   
4. How many units are required to earn a California high school diploma?
   
5. What constitutes a year of study in terms of instructional minutes for a specific subject area?
   
6. We are relocating to a new school district in California and my child is in high school. Will my child be able to graduate at the same time as his current classmates?
   
7. Do I have to pass Algebra I to graduate?
   
8. Does a student in a California public school have to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to be eligible for a high school diploma?
   
9. Does a student in a private school in California have to pass the CAHSEE to be eligible for a high school diploma from that school?
   
10. My child has completed all but a couple of courses required for high school graduation but the school counselor says he or she must enroll in five courses each semester. Is this true?
    
11. I have completed all of the courses required for high school graduation but the school says I must complete a senior project in order to graduate? Is this a state requirement for graduation?
    
12. The high school counselor at my child's school has told my child that he or she does not have enough credits to graduate. What are my options for getting this situation resolved?
    
13. I would like to complete high school early. How can I do that?
    
14. How do I obtain a copy of my high school transcript?
    
15. How do I obtain a copy of my General Education Development (GED) results?
    
16. How do I obtain a copy of my California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) results?
    
17. Does the California Department of Education (CDE) certify or approve public high school diplomas?
    
18. If I pass the GED or CHSPE, can I use those results to satisfy minimum course requirements for graduation?
    
19. I participate in a competitive sport that is not directly associated with my high school. Can I use my time practicing and participating in this sport to satisfy the physical education graduation requirement?
    
20. How can I find out about graduation requirements in other states?
    
21. How can I get information about college opportunities and requirements in California?
    
22. I need an Apostille from a California state official to study or work abroad. Can the CDE help me with this?

Answers

1. What are the high school graduate course requirements in California?
   The state sets minimum requirements. Local school districts have the authority and responsibility for establishing any requirements for awarding a California high school diploma from their secondary schools. These must include the set of 13 minimum courses required under California Education Code. Most school districts in California require between 22 and 26 one-year courses (or the equivalent) for graduation.
   
2. Are students of a California approved charter school required to complete the 13 minimum courses mandated for graduation?
   This is a complex question which depends on several variables. Please contact the Charter School Division at 916-322-6029.
   
3. Are students of private high schools required to complete the 13 minimum courses for graduation?
   No. Private high schools have the authority to set their own graduation requirements. However, many private high schools do include at least the state minimum courses in order to ensure that students transitioning to or from public schools have less disruption in their progress toward graduation.
   
4. How many units are required to earn a California high school diploma?
   Local school districts establish the total number of units required to earn a California high school diploma. Most California public high schools require the equivalent of between 22 and 26 yearlong courses. Two semester courses equal one yearlong course. A yearlong course constitutes one Carnegie unit. Semester courses constitute one-half of a Carnegie unit. But most school districts award ten local units for each Carnegie unit and five local units for a semester course. These districts require between 220 and 260 local units for high school graduation. However, local school districts vary in how local credit units are awarded for one year of study. To determine how many credits entering students have earned toward local graduation requirements, multiply the local credit units awarded for one year of study times the number of qualifying yearlong courses they have completed.
   
5. What constitutes a year of study in terms of instructional minutes for a specific subject area?
   A year of study is two semesters of study in the same or related subject area. In general, the course is about 50 minutes per day, five days a week, for two semesters. However, local school districts determine the actual organization of instructional time depending on their master schedule. Variances apply depending on holidays, professional development days, and block scheduling.
   
6. We are relocating to a new school district in California and my child is in high school. Will my child be able to graduate at the same time as his current classmates?
   While California has a set of 13 minimum course requirements for high school graduation, each local school district in California may add its own requirements. Therefore, it is very important that students entering a new California school district contact the new high school as soon as possible to have their progress toward fulfilling the graduation requirements of the new district reviewed. The local school district officials can evaluate the transcripts and advise you on when your child can graduate. School contact information can be located through the CDE California School Directory.
   
7. Do I have to pass Algebra I to graduate?
   Yes, beginning in the 2003-04 school year, all students must successfully complete coursework that meets or exceeds the rigor of the content standards of Algebra I prior to receiving a diploma of graduation from a high school. For additional information, see the Algebra I Graduation Requirement Frequently Asked Questions.
   
8. Does a student in a California public school have to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to be eligible for a high school diploma?
   Beginning in 2005-06, the answer is yes; all students in California public schools must pass the CAHSEE to be eligible for a high school diploma. The requirement for passage of CAHSEE applies to students in all types of public schools, including adult education, alternative schools, court and community schools, and schools operated by agencies of state government, such as the State Special Schools and the California Youth Authority. Moreover, the requirement for passage of CAHSEE applies to students with disabilities who are placed in nonpublic schools either in the state or outside of the state pursuant to their individualized education programs (IEPs).Students with disabilities are permitted to take the CAHSEE with accommodations and/or modifications included in the students' IEPs or Section 504 plans, provided the accommodations and/or modifications are specified for the CAHSEE (in particular), for standardized testing (in general), or for classroom instruction and assessment. An accommodation (e.g., taking the CAHSEE in a quiet room that keeps the student from being distracted by ambient noise in the general testing location) does not materially alter what the CAHSEE measures, whereas modification (e.g., having an individual orally recite "reading" prompts to the student) does materially alter what the exam measures. A student who takes the CAHSEE with modification(s) receives a score marked "not valid" for the affected section(s) of the exam. However, if the student achieves a score that is equivalent to a passing score, the student may be eligible for a locally approved waiver pursuant to Education Code Section 60851 and, thus, become eligible to receive a high school diploma.
   
9. Does a student in a private school in California have to pass the CAHSEE to be eligible for a high school diploma from that school?
   No. In fact, students in private schools are prohibited from taking the CAHSEE, with the exception of students with disabilities who are placed in nonpublic schools pursuant to their IEPs (as mentioned in the response to the preceding question).
   
10. My child has completed all but a couple of courses required for high school graduation but the school counselor says he or she must enroll in five courses each semester. Is this true?
    This depends on the circumstances. California Education Code Section 46145 states: "Commencing with the first semester or quarter that begins after January 1, 1984, pupils in grade 12 shall be enrolled in at least five courses each semester or the equivalent number of courses per quarter." California Education Code provides exceptions: "However, this requirement shall not apply to pupils enrolled in regional occupational programs, regional occupational centers, courses at accredited postsecondary educational institutions, independent study, special education programs where the pupil's individualized education program establishes a different number of courses, continuation education classes, work experience education programs approved under the provisions of Article 7 (commencing with Section 51760) of Chapter 5 of Part 28, or any other course of study authorized by the governing board which is equivalent to the approved high school course of study." Education Code (Outside Source) sections 46146-46147 provide additional exceptions to the five-course requirement.
    
11. I have completed all of the courses required for high school graduation but the school says I must complete a senior project in order to graduate. Is this a state requirement for graduation?
    The California Education Code currently does not require that students complete a senior project. However, in California, local school districts have the authority and responsibility for determining graduation requirements. Therefore, local school districts do have the authority to require students to complete a senior project in order to receive a high school diploma.
    
12. The high school counselor at my child's school has told my child that he or she does not have enough credits to graduate. What are my options for getting this situation resolved?
    All parents and guardians have the right to be fully informed about their children's academic progress toward graduation. As a parent or guardian, you should schedule a conference with the counselor. If the issue cannot be resolved to your satisfaction at this level, then make an appointment with the school administrator, usually the principal, in charge. If you still have concerns after this meeting, your next option is to contact the school district office and speak with the administrators, including the superintendent, in charge of the academic program. If the administrators indicate that it is local district policy that sets the requirements, then you may appeal to your local school board. At this point, you should request the Uniform Complaint Procedures and maintain written records of your efforts to resolve your issues. Local school boards are citizen boards that have primary authority to set the policies of the school district. If they indicate that the California Education Code specifies the requirements, ask for the specific code section to which they are referring. For more information on the Education Code, see California Law (Outside Source).
    
13. I would like to complete high school early. How can I do that?
    First of all, talk with your high school counselor about your interest in completing high school early. The local school district's graduation requirements must be completed if you are to receive a high school diploma. While most high schools are organized to accommodate a standard four-year schedule to graduation, some California public high schools offer options for accelerated learning plans. To be eligible to enroll directly at a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU) campus, the required high school courses for freshman admission are much more extensive and rigorous than the state's minimum graduation requirements. If you plan to attend a California community college as your first step after high school, several opportunities are available to you. High school juniors and seniors, with the permission of their parents and schools and subject to certain conditions, can enroll as special part-time students at community colleges at no cost to begin their college education while still enrolled in high school and completing their high school diploma. For additional information about attending college, please see CaliforniaColleges.Edu (Outside Source). Another option for completing high school early is to successfully pass the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE). Students are eligible to take the CHSPE by their second semester of 10th grade. For more information about this test, see CHSPE. While the UC and CSU recognize the CHSPE as the equivalent of a high school diploma, to be eligible for admission, applicants must also have successfully completed the full set of required high school course requirements and standardized admission tests. See CaliforniaColleges.Edu (Outside Source) for complete admission requirements for California public colleges and universities.
    
14. How do I obtain a copy of my high school transcript?
    In order to obtain a copy of your high school transcript, you should contact the high school from which you graduated or its school district office. School districts are required by law to maintain copies of your high school academic record (transcript). School contact information can be located through the CDE School Directory.
    
15. How do I obtain a copy of my General Educational Development (GED) Test results?
    Results of GED exams can be obtained from the State GED Office or call 800-331-6316.
    
16. How do I obtain a copy of my California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) results?
    For more information on how to obtain copies of CHSPE, see the CHSPE Results and Transcripts (Outside Source). If you have questions about the CHSPE or your results, you can e-mail chspe@cde.ca.gov or call 916-445-8420.
    
17. Does the California Department of Education (CDE) certify or approve public high school diplomas?
    No, the CDE does not have the authority or responsibility to approve or certify public high school diplomas. California Education Code Section 51412 stipulates that a diploma may not be awarded unless it is an indication that the student has met the basic skills required for a diploma that are prescribed by the governing board. For private or independent schools, no comparable statement of standards is in law. California Education Code sections 33000, 33111, and 33112 state that only the State Board of Education (SBE) and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) have the powers and authority conferred by law over public schools or schools that receive financial support from the state. Neither entity accredits private schools or oversees their activities except for the SSPI's statutory duties regarding the Private School Affidavit. The process for filing an affidavit is not mandated, and the existence of the affidavit does not represent any indication of evaluation, recognition, approval or endorsement of the school. For more information, see California Education Code (Outside Source) Section 33190.
    
18. If I pass the GED or CHSPE, can I use those results to satisfy minimum course requirements for graduation?
    The authority to determine course equivalencies resides with the local school districts. However, in the case of the GED, such use of the test results is prohibited.
    
19. I participate in a competitive sport that is not directly associated with my high school. Can I use my time practicing and participating in this sport to satisfy the physical education graduation requirement?
    The authority to determine course equivalencies resides with the local school districts. Because California public schools are seeking to align their physical education programs with the Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools, the use of outside-of-school sports as equivalent credit is discouraged.
    
20. How can I find out about graduation requirements in other states?
    The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) provides online information on state graduation requirements (Outside Source) as well as state policy information about assessments, special accommodations, alternate assessments, participation, reporting, and standards.
    
21. How can I get information about college opportunities and requirements in California?
    For more information about postsecondary education opportunities and requirements in California, see CaliforniaColleges.Edu (Outside Source).
    
22. I need an Apostille from a California state official to study or work abroad. Can the CDE help me with this?
    An Apostille is a verification issued by the California Secretary of State that the CDE education officer's signature is valid. When an American is seeking an educational opportunity or work abroad, the receiving school, college, or employer may request a verification of the student's educational record. This involves the American acquiring a notarized copy of his or her transcript and a letter from a CDE education officer affirming that the institution issuing the transcript is a real and valid educational institution within the state. These records then go to the California Secretary of State, who issues an Apostille verifying that the signature of the CDE education officer is valid. The CDE does the institutional verification for high schools and high school graduate transcripts. However, because the CDE does not have jurisdiction over postsecondary education, the Department is not able to do this for higher education institutions. For more information about the Apostille process, see Notary Public Authentication Information Apostille or Certification (Outside Source).
    

Contacts

Carolyn S. Mills, 916-319-0459, or cmills@cde.ca.gov .