2411 Certificate of Educational Competency

A high school equivalency certificate is issued jointly by the state board for community and technical colleges and the superintendent of public instruction. The certificate indicates a student attained standard scores at or above the minimum proficiency level prescribe by the state board for community and technical colleges on the high school equivalency test, which measures the areas of writing skills, social studies, science, reading skill, and mathematics.

A student who is 16 years of age or older but under 19 years of age and who has a substantial and warranted reason for leaving the regular high school program, or who has been home schooled is eligible to apply for a certificate. The parent or guardian who provided home-based instructon to an eligible student is responsible for determining and certifying in writing the student completed a program of home-based instruction.  The written certification must be signed by the parent or guardian and notarized by a notary public.

The student may apply to their resident school district or the school they last attended in the State of Washington. The application must be signed by the student's parent and shall include the recommendation of a staff review committee and the superintendent.

The students’ reason for withdrawal to seek a certificate many include:

A.    Personal problems which seriously impair the student's ability to make reasonable progress toward high school graduation;

B.     A financial crisis which directly affects the student and necessitates the student's employment during school hours;

C.    The lack of curriculum and instruction which constitute appropriate learning experiences for the student,

D.    The inability or failure of the school of attendance to adjust its program for the individual or otherwise make arrangements for enrollment in a program in a manner which enables the student to advance toward graduation with reasonable progress and success.

E.     The student has been home-schooled and has essentially completed high school work; or

F.     A determination by the designated employee that it is in the students’ best interest to leave the regular high school program to enter a postsecondary institution or the military, or to engage in employment.

A student may appeal the District’s decision to deny their application for a certificate to the board of directors who will issue a decision within 30 calendar days of the request. The board’s decision is subject to appeal to the superior court in accordance with RCW 28A.645.010.

 

Cross References:          

• Policy  3114             Part-time, home-based or off-campus Students

Legal References:

• RCW  28A.205.030            Reentry of prior dropouts into common schools, rules —Eligibility for GED test
• RCW  28A.305.190            Certificate of educational competence, rules for issuance.
• Chapter 180-96 WAC             Certificate of educational competence
• Chapter  131 - 48 WAC             Certificate of Educational Competence (Community and Technical Colleges)

 

Adoption Date: 08.05.03

Stanwood-Camano School District

Revised:  01.17.17