Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD)

• Program History
• Eligibility Requirements
• What will Eligible Students Receive?
• Do Students Apply for the GSSMD?
• When is the deadline for the submitting the Insignia Request Form to the CDE?

Program History

The Golden State Diploma Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD) was established in 1997 and provides recognition to public school graduates who have demonstrated mastery of the high school curriculum in designated areas. If the student meets the qualifications the GSSMD insignia will be attached to a student's diploma and transcript.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the GSSMD, students (1) must be receiving a high school diploma; and (2) must have earned a scale score of 370 or above on six qualifying California Standards Tests, (CSTs) which are administered under California's Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. Results from the CSTs the student has taken in previous years may be used.

Four of the six qualifying CSTs must include:

• The grade 11 CST for History-Social Science (U.S. History)
• One of the following CSTs for English-language arts (ELA):
  • Grade 9 ELA
  • Grade 10 ELA
  • Grade 11 ELA
• One of the following CSTs for mathematics:
  • Algebra II
  • Geometry
  • Summative High School Mathetmatics
  • Integrated Mathetmatics 2 or 3
• One of the following CSTs for science:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Earth Science
  • Integrated Science 1, 2, 3, 4

For the remaining two qualifying CSTs, students may choose from the examinations listed above (that have not already been used to meet eligibility) as well as the CST for World History.

What will eligible students receive?

Each student who meets the criteria will receive a gold, embossed insignia to be affixed to the student's high school diploma, and a black-and-white insignia to be affixed to the student's transcript.

Do Students Apply for the GSSMD?

Individual students do not apply to the state for the GSSMD; rather, school districts submit the Insignia Request Forms for eligible students once the district has verified that students have met all eligibility requirements.

When is the deadline for submitting the Insignia Request Form to the CDE

There is no deadline for submitting the Insignia Request Form to the CDE; however, the form should be sent far enough in advance of the graduation ceremony date to allow time for the CDE to process the request and for school staff to place the insignias on the diplomas.

For further information visit the following web page: www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/meritdiploma.asp

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