COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 123
August 1, 2003
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne
DeMary Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Requirements
for the General Achievement Diploma |
At its June 23 meeting the Board of Education
approved the Emergency Regulations Governing the General Achievement Diploma as
required by House Bill 1464 passed by the 2003 General Assembly.
The attached requirements for the General Achievement Diploma comply with the 2003 General Assembly amendments to the Code of Virginia and with the Board of Education’s regulations on awarding a high school diploma. The General Achievement Diploma is intended to provide a diploma option for high school dropouts and individuals who exit high school without a diploma. This diploma is intended for individuals who are at least 18 years of age and not enrolled in public school or not otherwise meeting the compulsory school attendance requirements set forth in the Code of Virginia. It is not meant to be a first option for high school students. Diploma candidates “may be individuals who are of the age to enroll in a public school whether they choose to enroll or not; or individuals who because of their age are not eligible to enroll in a public school.”
The requirements for the General Achievement Diploma
include prescribed standard units of credit and a passing score on the General
Educational Development (GED) examination. Standard credits required for the
General Achievement Diploma may be earned in a variety of educational settings:
a public school; a community college or other institution of higher education;
an adult high school program; or correspondence, distance learning, and online
courses. The Department of Education
will develop a guidance document to assist school divisions in implementing
these regulations.
If you have questions about the General Achievement
Diploma, please contact Maureen B. Hijar (mhijar@mail.vak12ed.edu) at (804)
225-2894.
JLD/MH
Attachment
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/suptsmemos/2003/inf123a.pdf