Understanding Diploma Endorsements and Seals in Education

Navigating the educational landscape involves understanding various certifications, endorsements, and seals that recognize student achievements. This article aims to clarify the meaning and significance of such distinctions, particularly focusing on diploma endorsements and seals awarded by educational institutions.

Diploma Endorsements: Recognizing Specialized Skills

In the realm of education, diploma endorsements serve as indicators that students have successfully completed specific course concentrations designed to prepare them for future careers and/or college. In North Carolina public schools and public charter schools, students have the opportunity to earn one or more endorsements on their high school diploma, signifying their readiness in particular fields.

It's important to note that earning an endorsement is not a mandatory requirement for receiving a diploma. The implementation of diploma endorsements is based on State Board of Education policy (GRAD-007) and is required for all Local Education Agency high schools.

Types of Diploma Endorsements

Several types of diploma endorsements exist, each with its own set of requirements.

Career Endorsement

For students aiming for a career-focused path, the Career Endorsement has specific criteria:

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Mathematics: Completion of the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence, including Math I, II, III, and a fourth mathematics course aligned with the student’s post-secondary plans. Acceptable fourth math courses for the Career Endorsement include any math course that may be used to meet NC high school graduation requirements, including applied math courses found in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) domain.
CTE Concentration: Completion of a CTE concentration in one of the approved CTE Career Pathways.
GPA: Earning an unweighted grade point average of at least 2.6.
Industry-Recognized Credential: Earning at least one industry-recognized credential.

College Endorsement

For students entering Grade 9 prior to 2024-2025, the requirements include:

Mathematics: Completion of the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence of Math I, II, III and a fourth-level mathematics course that meets University of North Carolina system Minimum Course Requirements.
Science: Completion of three course credits of science including an Earth/Environmental science course, Biology, and at least one physical science course that must include either physics or chemistry.
Social Studies: For students entering ninth grade in 2012-13 or later, the student shall complete four course credits of social studies.
World Language: Completion of two course credits of a world language (other than English).
Electives: Completion of four elective course credits in any one subject area, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), JROTC, Arts Education, World Languages, or in another content area.
Advanced Courses: Completion of at least three higher-level courses during junior and/or senior years which carry quality points such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International, or Dual Enrollment courses; Advanced CTE and CTE credentialing courses; honors level courses, or Project Lead the Way courses.
GPA: Earning an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.50.

For students entering Grade 9 in 2024-25 and beyond;

Mathematics: The student shall complete the Future Ready Core mathematics sequence of Math I, II, III, and a fourth-level mathematics course that meets the University of North Carolina system Minimum Course Requirements.

Arts Education Proficiency Diploma Endorsement

Approved in June 2024 by the State Board of Education, the Arts Education Proficiency Diploma Endorsement is based on legislation.

Student requirements include:

The student shall complete a minimum of four NCSCOS arts courses.
The student shall earn an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher in each arts credit.
The student shall complete a minimum of 40 hours of arts-related extracurricular activities.
The student shall participate in an arts-related extracurricular activity approved by the LEA/local board of education.
The student shall complete all of the required hours outside of instructional hours.
The student shall not receive any course credit for participation in the activity.
In accordance with State Board guidance, the student shall document the hours on the form provided to local boards of education.

Citizenship Proficiency Endorsement

This endorsement assesses a student's understanding of civics. The PSU (presumably Public School Unit) selects 10 questions from the publicly available USCIS Naturalization Test. To earn the endorsement, the student must correctly answer at least 6 out of 10 questions.

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Resources: Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test (2025 version)

New York State Seal of Civic Readiness (NYSSCR)

The New York State Seal of Civic Readiness (NYSSCR) is an award granted by schools approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This seal recognizes students who have demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement and understanding.

Earning the NYSSCR

Students can earn either 1.0 or 1.5 points based on their scores on exams. Scores between 65-84 earn 1 point, while scores between 85-100 earn 1.5 points.

Reporting the NYSSCR

Per the New York State Student Information Repository System (SIRS) Manual, students who receive a NYSSCR must be reported with Program Service Code 8313 - Received Seal of Civic Readiness in the year in which they complete all requirements for a Regents or Local diploma, even if the criteria for receiving the NYSSCR were met in a prior year. Districts will include Program Service Code 8313 on the student’s transcripts to indicate the earning of the NYSSCR.

If a student passed only one Regents exam in social studies and one Regents exam in English, math, science, and earned the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness (as reported with Program Service Code 8313), the student must be reported with the Career Path Code CIVIC because the student used the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness in lieu of the second Regents social studies exam to fulfill the graduation requirements.

School districts must ensure that the students earning the Seal are identified in their local student management system and the data sent to SIRS prior to the August 16th closing of the data warehouse. Regional information centers (RIC) may have an earlier deadline.

Once a school, district, or BOCES is approved to offer the Seal, they may continue to do so without the need to reapply each year.

Physical Seals

The decision to provide physical printed seals rests with the school or district.

Diploma Endorsement Seals: Purchasing Options

Districts and schools in North Carolina may purchase diploma endorsement seals from the NCDPI's Publication Sales. The seals are Catalog items IS178-182 and IS192 and they are sold as sheets of 63 seals/page for $3/page plus shipping.

The Role of the Department of Education

The Department of Education (ED) plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and advocating for students' rights, particularly those with disabilities. While the ED doesn't directly run local schools or dictate curriculum, it serves as a vital lever for demanding accountability from schools.

Importance of the Department of Education

The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979, which means it can only be eliminated by Congress. If the Department of Education is lost, we lose the strongest lever we have to demand accountability from schools.

Advocating for the Department of Education

To support the Department of Education:

Get Loud: Reach out to Senators and Representatives, emphasizing the importance of the Department of Education for ensuring children’s rights.
Organize and Share: Host info nights, talk to SEPACs (Special Education Parent Advisory Committees), write to local newspapers, and post on social media.
Include advocacy: Advocate for the Department of Education in relevant discussions.
Stay Updated: Stay informed about changes in special education advocacy and laws.

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