California Student Recognition
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma Eligibility
A practical guide to the current subject-area requirements and local educational agency responsibilities.
This page reflects the current California Department of Education criteria. The earlier January 2016 requirements included legacy California Standards Test options that are no longer listed on the current eligibility page. LEAs should confirm the requirements and procedures with the CDE each year.
Local educational agencies (LEAs) are responsible for maintaining appropriate records and identifying graduating seniors who qualify for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD). A student must be eligible to receive a high school diploma and demonstrate mastery in at least six subject areas.
The six required subject areas
Eligibility pathways
English Language Arts
The student must meet one of the following:
- Earn a grade of B+ or higher, or the numerical equivalent, in each semester of a single English language arts course completed in grade nine, ten, or eleven.
- Or achieve “Standard Met” or above on the grade eleven Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for English language arts/literacy.
Mathematics
The student must meet one of the following:
- Earn a grade of B+ or higher, or the numerical equivalent, in each semester of a single mathematics course completed in grade nine, ten, or eleven.
- Or achieve “Standard Met” or above on the grade eleven Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for mathematics.
Science
The student must meet one of the following:
- Earn a grade of B+ or higher, or the numerical equivalent, in each semester of a single science course completed in grade nine, ten, or eleven.
- Or achieve “Standard Met” or above on the California Science Test taken in grade ten or eleven.
U.S. History
The student must meet one of the following:
- Earn a grade of B or higher, or the numerical equivalent, in each semester of the required U.S. history course.
- Or earn a qualifying score that demonstrates subject mastery, as determined by the LEA, on an examination produced by a private provider or the LEA.
Two Additional Subject Areas
For each of two additional areas, the student may use one of the following:
- An additional qualifying grade or assessment score in English language arts, mathematics, science, or U.S. history that was not already used to satisfy one of the four requirements above.
- A grade of B or higher, or the numerical equivalent, upon completion of a high school course in another subject.
- A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of another subject, as determined by the LEA, on an examination produced by a private provider or the LEA.
Important implementation notes
- When a course-grade pathway is used, the qualifying grade applies to each semester of one complete course.
- A student without qualifying CAASPP results may still qualify through the applicable course-grade pathways.
- The LEA determines numerical grade equivalents and the qualifying scores for locally produced or private-provider examinations.
- Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, the CDE provides the insignia as a digital image rather than mailing physical insignias. LEAs should follow the current CDE request procedures and apply the insignia to the diploma and transcript of each eligible student.
Official resources
Eligibility Requirements
Review the CDE’s current subject-area criteria before making local eligibility determinations.
View current eligibility requirementsProgram and Requests
Access the program overview, current request form, procedures, and related materials.
Visit the GSSMD program pageFrequently Asked Questions
Find guidance on course grades, assessment results, transfers, and local implementation.
Read the CDE FAQs