Golden State Seal Merit Diploma

To be eligible for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, students must be receiving a high school diploma from their district and have earned designated results on six qualifying examinations.

CA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - GOLDEN STATE SEAL MERIT DIPLOMA
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/meritdiploma.asp  
Questions: Golden State Seal Merit Diploma | gssmd@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0758  

WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL - GOLDEN STATE SEAL MERIT DIPLOMA
The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (
GSSMD) insignia is awarded jointly by the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to recognize students who have demonstrated mastery of the high school curriculum in at least six subject areas.

Each local educational agency that confers high school diplomas is required, by state law, to identify students who qualify and to affix the GSSMD insignia to the diploma and transcript of each qualifying graduate.

Students must meet the eligibility requirements in the following subjects:

English-language Arts
Mathematics
Science
U.S. History
Two subject matter areas

  • English language arts/literacy (ELA)—students must have earned one of any of the following:

    • A grade of B+ or above (or numerical equivalent) in a single course (each semester) Grade 9-11.

    • An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment

  • Mathematics—students must have earned one of any of the following:

    • A grade of B+ or above (or numeric equivalent) in a single course (each semester) completed in grade 9-11.

    • An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment

  • Science—students must have earned one of any of the following:

    • An achievement level of "Standard Met" or above for the high school California Science Test taken in grade ten or eleven

    • An grade of B+ or above (or numeric equivalent) in a single course (each semester) completed in grade 9-11.

  • U.S. History—students must have earned one of any of the following:

    • A grade of B or above (or numerical equivalent) upon completion of the required U.S. history course (each semester)

    • A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of the subject as determined by the LEA for an examination produced by a private provider or the LEA

  • Two additional subject areas—students may choose from any of the following:

    • Any additional qualifying grade or score listed above, earned for the subject of ELA, mathematics, science, or U.S. history not already used to meet eligibility

    • A grade of B or above (or numerical equivalent) upon the completion of 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 the LEA