Grant Announced
In June 2006, the James Irvine Foundation announced a two-year grant to the Commonwealth Corporation in partnership with New Ways to Work. The goal of the grant is to fully develop a performance and competency-based route to high school graduation in California to be used by Diploma Plus and other interested high schools.
Once implemented, Diploma Plus high schools will be able to graduate their students based on meeting California's teaching and learning standards rather than so-called "time-in-seat." The Diploma Plus system would be aligned with California's A-G requirements.
The first stage of work will be completed by September 2007 enabling the first two California Diploma Plus to open their doors to students using the competency-based system. During the second stage, September 2007- June 2008, the Commonwealth Corporation and New Ways to Work will conduct awareness sessions throughout the state for other alternative and comprehensive high schools interested in exploring using such a system.
Commonwealth Corporation is extremely grateful to the Irvine Foundation for their investment in Diploma Plus.
