Diploma endorsements - adoption - revisions

(1) On or before July 1, 2011, or as soon thereafter as fiscally practicable, the state board shall adopt criteria that a local school board, BOCES, or institute charter high school may apply if the local school board, BOCES, or institute charter high school chooses to endorse high school diplomas to indicate that students have achieved postsecondary and workforce readiness. The criteria shall include, but need not be limited to, the required minimum level of postsecondary and workforce readiness that a student must achieve to receive a readiness endorsement on his or her diploma from the local school board, BOCES, or institute charter high school. In identifying the required minimum level of postsecondary and workforce readiness, the state board shall ensure that the minimum level of postsecondary and workforce readiness reflects the expectations for postsecondary and workforce readiness that are applied nationally and internationally. (2) The state board shall also adopt criteria for an endorsement that a local school board, BOCES, or institute charter high school may choose to grant to graduating students that would indicate extraordinary academic achievement or exemplary demonstration by a student of postsecondary and workforce readiness. (3) Following adoption of the criteria for diploma endorsements pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the state board shall consult with the commission and the governing boards of the state institutions of higher education. The provisions of section 22-7-1017 (2) shall take effect only if the commission and the governing boards approve the criteria. (4) The state board shall also consider and may adopt criteria for a range of additional endorsements that a school district, BOCES, or institute charter high school may choose to grant to graduating students to recognize concentrated focus and outstanding achievement in a variety of subject areas, including but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, career and technical education, history and civics, mathematics, and science. (5) In adopting endorsement criteria pursuant to this section, the state board shall take into consideration any career and technical education standards that are adopted by the state board for community colleges and occupational education, created in section 23-60-104, C.R.S. (6) Every six years after the adoption of criteria for endorsements pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the state board shall revise and adopt any appropriate revisions to such criteria for endorsements.