KRS 158.140: Admission to high school -- Promotion -- Classification -- High school

diploma -- Alternate high school diploma -- Academy diploma -- Posthumous

diploma -- Diploma for certain honorably discharged veterans -- Vocational

certificate of completion.

(1) When a pupil in any public elementary school or any approved private or parochial

school completes the prescribed elementary program of studies, he or she is entitled

to a certificate of completion signed by the teacher or teachers under who m the

program was completed. The certificate shall entitle the pupil to admission into any

public high school. Any promotions or credits earned in attendance in any approved

public school are valid in any other public school to which a pupil may go, but th e

superintendent or principal of a school, as the case may be, may assign the pupil to

the class or grade to which the pupil is best suited. In case a pupil transfers from the

school of one (1) district to the school of another district, an assignment to a lower

grade or course shall not be made until the pupil has demonstrated that he or she is

not suited for the work in the grade or course to which he or she has been promoted.

(2) Upon successful completion of all state and local board requirements, the s tudent

shall receive:

(a) A diploma indicating graduation from high school; or

(b) An alternate high school diploma if the student has a disability and has

completed a modified curriculum and an individualized course of study

pursuant to requirements estab lished by the Kentucky Board of Education in

accordance with KRS 156.160.

(3) (a) The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, located at

Western Kentucky University, and the Craft Academy for Excellence in

Science and Mathematics, located at Morehead State University, may award a

diploma to any student who completes his or her high school program at the

respective academy. If the academy issues a diploma, the board of regents of

the host university shall provide to the commissioner of educati on a letter of

assurance that the program of study completed by its students, in combination

with previously earned secondary credits, meets the minimum high school

graduation requirements established by the Kentucky Board of Education

under KRS 156.160(1)(d).

(b) A local school district may award a joint diploma with the Gatton Academy of

Mathematics and Science in Kentucky or the Craft Academy for Excellence in

Science and Mathematics to any student who was enrolled in a district high

school and completed his or her high school program at the respective

academy.

(c) The respective academy and the home school district shall ensure that student

transcripts from each institution accurately reflect the dual credit coursework.

(4) A local school board may award a diploma indicating graduation from high school

to any student posthumously with the high school class the student was expected to

graduate.

(5) (a) A local board of education shall award an authentic high school diploma to an

honorably discharged veteran who did not complete high school prior to being

inducted into the United States Armed Forces during:

1. World War II, as defined in KRS 40.010;

2. The Korean conflict, as defined in KRS 40.010; or

3. The Vietnam War. As used in this paragraph, "Vietnam War" means the

period beginning August 5, 1964, and ending May 7, 1975. However,

for a member of the United States Armed Forces serving in Vietnam

prior to August 5, 1964, the period shall begin February 28, 1961.

(b) Upon recommendation of the commissioner, the Kentucky Board of

Education in consultation with the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs

shall promulgate administrative regulations to esta blish the guidelines for

awarding the authentic diplomas referred to in paragraph (a) of this

subsection.

(6) Any high school graduation requirements adopted by a local board shall not include

achieving a minimum score on a statewide assessment administere d under KRS

158.6453.

(7) The Department of Education shall establish the requirements for a vocational

certificate of completion. A student who has returned to school after dropping out

shall receive counseling concerning the vocational program. A student who has

completed the requirements established for a vocational program shall receive a

vocational certificate of completion specifying the areas of competence.