Pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education on March 15, 1974, a Certificate of Educational Competence can be granted by the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction upon the successful completion of the general educational development test of the American Council of Education, hereafter referred to as "G.E.D." Application of the Certificate of Educational Competence shall be made directly to the state superintendent on forms provided by a G.E.D. testing center.

Individuals 15 years of age and under 19 years of age wishing to take the G.E.D. test and apply for a Certificate of Educational Competence must provide substantial and warranted reasons for leaving high school.

It shall be the responsibility of the Lake Washington School District to act as an agent for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and to:

1. Ascertain and specify the necessary qualifications of individuals 15 years of age and under 19 years of age to take the G.E.D. test.
2. Make a determination concerning an applicant's substantial and warranted reason for leaving the regular high school educational program in cases where the applicant is under 19 years of age. Such determination shall be based upon one or more of the following causes:
1. Personal problems which seriously impair the student's ability to make reasonable progress toward high school graduation,
2. A financial crisis which directly affects the student and necessitates the student's employment during school hours,
3. The lack of curriculum and instruction which constitute appropriate learning experiences for the student, and
4. The inability or failure of the school of attendance to adjust its program for the individual, or otherwise make arrangements for enrollment in a program, in a manner which enables the student to advance toward graduation with reasonable progress and success.
3. Provide, when necessary, a process for appeal by the individual when the district rejects his or her application to take the G.E.D. test.
4. Provide the services of a G.E.D. testing center.
5. Forward the results of G.E.D. testing to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Individuals over the age of 19 who have not received a high school diploma need not establish a substantial and warranted reason for leaving school. They may take the G.E.D. at a G.E.D. testing center. If they are successful, they may apply directly to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Certificate of Educational Competence. These prescribed forms shall be available at a G.E.D. testing center.

Individuals over the age of 19 who have already successfully completed the G.E.D. test may apply directly to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Certificate of Educational Competence. The prescribed forms shall be available at a G.E.D. testing center. In the event an individual 15 years of age and under 19 years of age physically residing in the Lake Washington School District or having last attended a school in the Lake Washington School District, wishes to apply for the Certificate of Educational Competence, the following procedures shall apply:

6. The applicant shall complete a district application to take the G.E.D. and shall submit said application to the district superintendent through the appropriate building principal or his designee.
7. The building principal or his designee, upon receipt of the application, shall within 10 calendar days, convene a committee whic shall consist of (1) the building principal, (2) a counselor or teacher, (3) one adult chosen by the applicant, and the applicant's parents or guardians, if available.
8. After considering all relevant evidence, the committee, within 10 calendar days after convening, shall make a written recommendation to the Regional Administrator regarding the applicant's request. The committee shall include the rationale and supporting data for its conclusion that the application either has or has not established a substantial and warranted reason for leaving the regular high school program.
9. The Regional Administrator shall consider the recommendation, rationale and evidence presented by the committee and shall provide the applicant with written notification of the district's decision including a statement of reasons for such decision, within 30 days of application.
10. If the applicant is aggrieved by the decision he/she may, within 15 calendar days of receipt of the decision, request in writing to the Regional Administrator that:
1. the decision be deferred pending further evidence in which case the application may be reopened at the applicant's option, or;
2. the decision be appealed to the Board of Directors.
11. If neither 5-a or 5-b are initiated within the 15 calendar days, the decision by the Regional Administrator shall become final.
12. If the final decision states there are insufficient or unwarranted reasons for leaving school, the applicant may reapply at any time new conditions warrant application.
13. If it is determined that the applicant has substantial and warranted reasons for leaving school, the applicant may present that decision to a G.E.D. testing center and take the G.E.D. test.
14. Applicants who achieve a standard score of at least 35 on each of the 5 portions of the G.E.D. and average a standard score of 45 on all 5 portions may apply for the Certificate of Educational Competence. Forms are provided by the Office of the State Superintendent which shall be available at a G.E.D. testing center.

Approved:
1/6/75

Revised:
3/15/76
5/7/90