N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:20-1.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 6A:20-1.3 - Eligibility requirements to earn a State-issued high school diploma

(a) To participate in programs that lead to a State-issued high school diploma, a person shall be a New Jersey resident at least 16 years of age and no longer enrolled in school and shall have not yet obtained a high school diploma in New Jersey or any other state.

(b) Requests to participate in programs that lead to a State-issued high school diploma from persons 16 or 17 years of age residing with a natural or resource family parent or guardian shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Consent (available at https://www.nj.gov/education/ adulted/) signed by a natural or resource family parent, guardian, probation or parole officer, State rehabilitation counselor, or a judge.

(c) Requests to participate in programs that lead to a State-issued high school diploma from persons 16 or 17 years of age residing in a State, county, or municipal institution, or in a residential program, shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Consent signed by either a natural or resource family parent or guardian, or a surrogate parent when neither is available.

1. Each institution shall ensure the rights of persons 16 or 17 years of age are protected through the provision of a surrogate parent who shall assume all parental rights under this chapter, when either:

i. The parent(s) cannot be located after reasonable efforts; or

ii. The person 16 or 17 years of age is a ward of the State of New Jersey, as determined by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

2. Each institution shall establish a method for selecting and training surrogate parents.

3. The person serving as a surrogate parent shall have:

i. No interest that conflicts with the interests of the person 16 or 17 years of age he or she represents; and

ii. Knowledge and skills to ensure adequate representation of the person 16 or 17 years of age.

4. A surrogate parent may be paid solely to act in that capacity. Persons serving as surrogate parents may not otherwise be employees of the institution.

(d) Requests by emancipated minors to participate in programs that lead to a State-issued high school diploma shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Consent signed by a judge appointed in the State of New Jersey.

(e) Programs that lead to a State-issued high school diploma shall accept, as space allows, all requests to participate from persons eligible under this section. Participation in programs shall not be limited in any way, except with respect to the availability of facilities and teaching personnel. Participants shall not be denied access to a program because of their place of residency, as long as they are a New Jersey resident.

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:20-1.3

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 159(b), effective 2/1/2021