RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

(1) The Cobb County School District shall recognize regular high school graduates through the awarding of diplomas signifying the completion of high school graduation requirements as specified in Policy IHF. No student shall receive a diploma from a Cobb County high school or participate in official graduation exercises until all graduation requirements have been met.

(2) Students shall not be eligible to participate in graduation exercises if debts related to lost or damaged textbooks, media materials, classroom instructional materials, or instructional equipment remain unpaid. However, no student shall be excluded from graduation exercises because of poverty or inability to pay. Indigent students should contact the high school principal to develop an appropriate payment plan for fees owed.

(3) If the student is under suspension during the last day school is in session of his/her final semester before qualifying for graduation, he/she shall not participate in nor attend the school graduation activities. He/she may participate in Cobb County Summer School graduation in accordance with school system policies.

(4) Students who have been enrolled in a Cobb County high school throughout their secondary school experience beginning in the fall of the ninth grade but who have moved away from Cobb County with their families during the senior year, at a time when they were within 6 units of meeting Cobb County graduation requirements, shall be allowed to receive a Cobb County high school diploma and participate in graduation exercises. This allowance shall be made upon receipt of an official transcript from a regionally accredited high school indicating sufficient credits to meet Cobb County graduation requirements. Participation in graduation exercises for these students shall be contingent upon their conforming to the expectations placed on other members of the graduating class by the school.

(5) A student who enrolls in a Cobb County high school during the senior year may be recognized as a graduate through the local school graduation ceremonies provided he meets graduation requirements in the former school and receives that school's diploma in the graduation exercise.

RULE:

The following procedures shall govern graduation ceremonies:

(1) Activities recognizing students exiting elementary school or middle school or from one level to another within those schools shall be designed so as not to resemble graduation exercises or to involve diplomas or certificates of completion.

(2) It is the option of the local school to recognize the valedictorian and salutatorian of the graduating class. If two or more persons earn equivalent GPA's (Grade Point Averages) each may be recognized with valedictory honors. (See IHA, (7). Grade Point Average/Rank in Class/Honor Graduates)

Legal Reference: OCGA 20-2-50; 20-2-57; 20-2-59

Adopted: 8/12/81
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 4/28/83; 8/8/84; 2/12/87; 6/12/91; 7/28/94; 8/9/95; 2/1/02