What is the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD)?
Assembly Bill 3488, approved in July 1996, called for the development of the GSSMD to recognize public school graduates who have demonstrated mastery of the high school curriculum in designated content areas.
Why were GSSMD regulations proposed and adopted in spring 2004?
Education Code Section 51452 identifies Golden State Examinations (GSE) as the means by which students may demonstrate mastery of the high school curriculum and earn the GSSMD. Assembly Bill 1266, Chapter 573, Statutes of 2003, repealed the GSE program. Education Code Section 51452 also states that the State Board of Education (SBE) may designate other subject matter examinations that are deemed appropriately rigorous as the means by which students may demonstrate mastery of the high school curriculum. In order to continue the GSSMD, the SBE proposed regulations to allow the use of specified California Standards Test (CST) scaled scores, previously earned GSE results, or a combination of the two to qualify for the GSSMD. These regulations were adopted at the March 2004 board meeting and became effective April 22, 2004. Regulations are available for viewing on the California Regulations Web Site (Outside Source).
How do students qualify now for the GSSMD?
To be eligible for the GSSMD, students must:
- be receiving a high school diploma from their district.
- have earned designated results on six qualifying examinations. Results from specified CSTs and/or GSEs students have taken in previous years may be used. When using CST results, students must have earned a scaled score of 370 or above. * When using GSE results, students must have earned a performance level of recognition, honors, or high honors.** The six examinations must include the grade 11 history social-science CST (U.S. History), one English-language arts exam, one mathematics exam, one science exam, and two exams of the student’s choice.
Detailed eligibility requirements are available on the GSSMD Web page.
*General Mathematics, Algebra I, Integrated Mathematics 1, and Grade 10 Life Science CSTs may not be used to qualify for the GSSMD.
**The GSE were last administered in 2003. Students graduating in 2008 and beyond would most likely not have GSE results.
Which CSTs may be used to qualify for the GSSMD?
Students may use qualifying scaled scores from the following CSTs:
- English-language arts (ELA): grades 9, 10, and 11
- Mathematics: Algebra II, Geometry, Summative High School Mathematics, and Integrated Mathematics 2 and 3
- Science: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, and Integrated Science 1, 2, 3, and 4
- History-Social Science: World History and grade 11 U.S. History.
Can GSE results still be used to qualify for the GSSMD?
GSSMD recipients will usually qualify using solely qualifying CST results; however, qualifying GSE scores received prior to the GSE being repealed in 2003 may still be used. The GSE were last administered in 2003. Students graduating in 2008 and beyond would most likely not have GSE results.
Can students use results from three ELA (or three math or three science) CSTs to qualify for the GSSMD?
Yes. To qualify for the diploma using only CSTs, students must earn qualifying scaled scores on the grade 11 history-social science CST, one ELA CST, one math CST, and one science CST. After qualifying for these four exams, students may use qualifying scaled scores from any other eligible exams, including two other ELA (or two math or two science) CSTs.
Can the World History CST, formerly known as the grade 10 World History CST, be used to meet the history exam requirement?
No. Education Code Section 51451(b) specifically cites United States history as one of the subject matter requirements.
What will eligible students receive?
Districts/charter schools will receive two GSSMD insignias for each eligible senior: a gold embossed insignia to be affixed to the student’s high school diploma and a black and white insignia to be affixed to the student’s transcript [Education Code Section 51453 (b)].
Due to multiple requests from districts, the California Department of Education (CDE) is now provided the GSSMD insignias in a smaller size (one inch in diameter) to better fit on district diplomas. These smaller insignias will be awarded to qualifying students beginning 2008.
How can students apply for the GSSMD?
Individual students do not apply to the state for the GSSMD. Each school district or charter school that confers high school diplomas is required per Education Code sections 51450-51455 to maintain appropriate records in order to identify eligible students who have earned a GSSMD and to affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma and transcript for each qualifying student. Districts/charter schools submit insignia request forms for eligible students.
How do districts/charter schools identify students and receive the insignias?
Each year CDE will provide an identification and request packet to assist districts/charter schools. The packet will also be available on the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program Web page.
Currently, the packet consists of an information letter and the following documents:
- Eligibility Requirements for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
- Certification of Award Summary Sheet
- Insignia Request Form
After verifying that students have met all eligibility requirements, the district/charter school shall complete and submit the Insignia Request Form to CDE. The form must be signed by the superintendent/charter school administrator. On receipt, the gold embossed insignia shall be affixed to the student’s high school diploma and the black and white insignia shall be affixed to the student’s transcript [Education Code Section 51453 (b)].
When is the deadline for submitting the Insignia Request Form to the CDE?
There is no deadline for submitting insignia request forms to CDE; however, districts should request insignias far enough in advance of the first graduation ceremony date in the district to allow time for CDE to process the request and for district staff to place the insignias on the diplomas. Districts should receive insignias within two weeks from the date that CDE receives the request. The CDE will begin mailing requested insignias the first week of April.
Do districts/charter schools need to send student records to CDE?
No student information is to be sent to CDE. The district/charter school should maintain individual student information that can be used to verify awarding the GSSMD. The only document to be submitted to CDE is the Insignia Request Form.
Can districts/charter schools request insignias for eligible students who have already graduated?
Yes. The verification process is the same. To request insignias, complete and submit an Insignia Request Form with the Graduation Year section completed with the appropriate year. The Graduation Date section may be left blank. The form must be signed by the superintendent/charter school administrator.
More questions?
If you have general questions about the GSSMD, call the Standardized Testing and Reporting Office by phone at 916-445-8765 or e-mail at star@cde.ca.gov.
