AB 325

Current law requires the governing body of each private school participating

in a parental choice program (PCP) to develop a policy specifying criteria for granting

a high school diploma to pupils attending the school under the PCP. The criteria

must include the pupil's academic performance and the recommendations of

teachers. The private school may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil

attending the school under the PCP unless the pupil satisfies the criteria specified

in the policy.

Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, this bill requires a private school

participating in a PCP to include in its policy the requirements for granting a high

school diploma to public school pupils. These requirements include earning a

specified minimum number of credits in certain subjects and, in grades 9 to 12, being

enrolled in a class or participating in an activity approved by the school board during

each class period of each school day.

The bill also authorizes the state superintendent of public instruction to issue

an order barring a private school from participating in a PCP if the private school

fails to include these new requirements in its high school graduation policy.