The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma offers a way for graduates who have demonstrated mastery of high school curriculum covered in the California Standards Tests to be recognized and honored. To be eligible for the GSSMD students must:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GOLDEN STATE SEAL MERIT DIPLOMA
Local educational agencies (LEAs) are responsible for maintaining appropriate records in order to identify graduating students who meet the eligibility requirements for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD) (California Education Code Section 51454). To be eligible for the GSSMD, students must be eligible to receive a high school diploma and have demonstrated the mastery of the curriculum in at least six subject matter areas as follows:
1- English-language Arts: Students must have earned one of any of the following:
- A grade of B+ (or numerical equivalent) or above in a single a-g course completed in grade nine, ten, or eleven
- An achievement level of “Standard Met” for the high school Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment
2- Mathematics: Students must have earned one of any of the following:
- A grade of B+ (or numeric equivalent) or above in a single a-g course completed in grade nine, ten, or eleven
- An achievement level of “Standard Met” for the high school Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment
3- Science: Students must have earned one of any of the following:
- A grade of B+ (or numeric equivalent) or above in a single a-g course completed in grade nine, ten, or eleven
- A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of the subject as determined by the LEA for an examination produced by a private provider or LEA
4- U.S. History: Students must have earned one of any of the following:
- A grade of B (or numerical equivalent) or above upon completion of the required a-g U.S. history course
- A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of the subject as determined by the LEA for an examination produced by a private provider or LEA
5- Other two subject matter areas: Students may choose from any of the following:
- Any additional qualifying grade or score listed above earned for the subjects of ELA, mathematics, science, or U.S. history not already used to meet eligibility
- A grade of B (or numerical equivalent) or above upon the completion of a-g high school courses in other subjects
- A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of other subjects, as determined by the LEA, for an examination produced by a private provider or LEA
