Retroactive Diplomas Information
Retroactive Diplomas Information
Beginning January 1, 2016 and after, in accordance with California Senate Bill 172, Dinuba Unified School District (DUSD) will retroactively grant a diploma to any student who completed grade 12 in the 2003-04 school year or later if they completed all other requirements except the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). On October 7, Senate Bill 172 was signed by Governor Jerry Brown, suspending the CAHSEE along with the requirement that students completing grade 12 successfully pass the high school exit exam as a condition of receiving a diploma.
“Past students who were not awarded a diploma, due solely to the CAHSEE, will be able to come to the high school they attended and request their diploma,” said DUSD Director of Instructional Services Barbara Thiesen.
According to Thiesen, the law requires that the diploma issuance date be January 1, 2016 or after. Former DUSD students who believe they may be owed a diploma should call the office of the high school they attended or the DUSD District Office. Those who were enrolled in alternative education high schools are also affected by the new law.
Since 2006 high school seniors could not receive a diploma unless they completed all credit requirements and coursework — and passed both the math and English portions of the California High School Exit Exam.
Dinuba Unified School District has identified and is making an effort to get the word out to students who fall into the category identified in the law and are now eligible to retroactively receive a high school diploma.
Because the CAHSEE has been suspended and no test was given this past July, seniors in the class of 2015 who satisfied all other requirements for gradation were awarded their diplomas.
According to State officials, the CAHSEE has been suspended because it is not aligned with the new Common Core curriculum being used statewide and across the nation. A new, more rigorous assessment test has been developed that aligns with Common Core. Scores were recently released from the assessment test given last spring.
If you feel you have met the indicated criteria, please complete the following form, Am I eligible for a Retroactive Diploma?.
District staff will contact you regarding the status of your request within approximately one month. Thank you for your patience as we process all requests.