General Assembly legislates new diploma system

Beginning with the Class of 2015, students will be able to pursue one of five different diploma options. Gov. Pat McCrory signed the bill into law on Feb. 18 after pushing it through the N.C. General Assembly.

McCrory said he believes the new diploma system will benefit N.C. students.

“We must ensure our education system provides opportunities and pathways for our students to get the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill their post-graduation goals, whether that be entering the workforce or continuing on to getting a higher degree,” McCrory said in his signing statement.

A student will be able to earn a career-ready diploma, a college-ready diploma, a college plus diploma, or a college and career-ready diploma, depending on their course schedule and their cumulative grade point average.

Students may also be eligible for a “scholars” diploma if they maintain a 3.5 unweighted GPA and take three or more honors or Advanced Placement classes in their junior or senior year in addition to the requirements for the college plus diploma.

A career-ready diploma would be an endorsement for a student to enter the workforce upon graduation. To obtain a career-ready diploma, a student will be required to take four career and technical education classes, have a 2.6 unweighted GPA and have received at least one industry credential, such as a WorkKeys Career Readiness Certificate.

College-ready diplomas would recommend a student to enroll in a community college. A student will be required to take four math courses and have a 2.6 unweighted GPA to qualify for this diploma.

To qualify for a college plus diploma, a student will be required to  maintain a 2.5 unweighted GPA while taking four math classes, a chemistry or physics class and two foreign language classes.

In a report on the future of education in North Carolina, State Superintendent Jane Atkinson said the new diploma system will help high school students focus on the academic skills they need to be successful after graduation.

“I know there are high school freshmen who already know which college they want to attend, whether they will go into the military or if they will be working in their parents’ business, and so they take the courses that will make that happen,” Atkinson said. “But there are just as many students who aren’t sure about what they want to do after graduation. Our new accountability model focuses on what students need in order to be successful after high school – regardless of how their plans unfold.”

One objective of the diploma plan is to increase the number of students taking Career Techincal Education (CTE) classes. According to Atkinsons’ report, students who enroll in CTE classes graduate at a higher rate than those who do not. For 2009 N.C. high school graduates, the four-year graduation rate among CTE completers was 86.7 percent. The statewide four-year graduation rate among all N.C. students for that year was 71.7 percent. Additionally, 93.5 percent of N.C. students who took at least CTE classes and who graduated in 2008 reported that they were either employed, in education or advanced training, or both.

“Our state is one of many across the country currently struggling to meet the challenges presented by a significant shift in the economic landscape,” Atkinson said. “Today, in the shadow of strong global competition, we are scrambling to make sure our education system produces a labor force with the knowledge and skills demanded in this new economy. The stakes are high. We can afford nothing less than to build the most skilled workforce in the world. North Carolina already has the foundation and tools we will need to strengthen our human capital. Now we must find the courage to take action.”

N.C. senator Jeff Tarte said he is concerned that the diploma system will precent students who do not receive college-ready diplomas from being accpeted college if they choose to apply.

“Every kid who wants the opportunity to go to a four-year university in the state of North Carolina absolutely, unequivocally should never be denied that opportunity,” N.C. senator Jeff Tarte said in an interview with technicianonline.com. “That’s our (state legislators’) responsibility to preserve that.”

Senior guidance counselor Anne Hafer said the new diplomas will not interfere with college admissions because diplomas are not considered in the admissions process.

“If you get a college-ready diploma, that just means you’ve taken the required courses to go to college, so it’s not like the state is telling students they can’t go to college because it’s based on the choices they’ve made in high school,” Hafer said. “It doesn’t matter if your diploma says college-ready or not because college admissions officers don’t see your diploma, only your transcript.”

Hafer said students should take the school’s endorsement to either enter the workforce or attend college into account when making post-graduation plans.

“College is difficult, so the preparation should be difficult,” Hafer said. “If you’re not prepared it’s going to be a shock, and you’re wasting all of  that tuition money if you aren’t prepared and you drop out.” For 2009 N.C. high school graduates, the four-year graduation rate among CTE completers was 86.7 percent. The statewide four-year graduation rate among all N.C. students for that year was 71.7 percent.

“Our state is one of many across the country currently struggling to meet the challenges presented by a significant shift in the economic landscape,” Atkinson said in her report. “Today, in the shadow of strong global competition, we are scrambling to make sure our education system produces a labor force with the knowledge and skills demanded in this new economy. The stakes are high. We can afford nothing less than to build the most skilled workforce in the world. North Carolina already has the foundation and tools we will need to strengthen our human capital. Now we must find the courage to take action.”

By Diane Gromelski, editor-in-chief