High School Graduation Alternatives - Programs, AB 167, and GED Options

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky

High School Graduation Alternatives covers practical pathways for students who are not graduating on schedule, including options to earn required credits, complete specialized coursework, or finish school through tests. It explains dual/concurrent enrollment while noting potential limits on financial aid and how districts may cover classes for students under 18. It provides guidance on AB 167 for eligible foster youth, clarifies eligibility requirements and graduation conditions, and corrects common myths. It also details GED and GED Plus/Diploma Plus requirements, costs, preparation resources, and implications for employment and postsecondary access.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Know Before You Go

Dual/Concurrent Enrollment

AB 167 Frequently Asked Questions

GED (General Education Development Test)

GED Plus / Diploma Plus

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO High School Graduation Alternatives | | Are you not graduating with your class or are you thinking about dropping out of school? Or, have you dropped out and want to find a way to finish highschool so you can get a job, goto college or enter the military?
There are a number of options to get your high school diploma or an equivalent certificate. These programs allow you to catch up on credits, take specialized classes to match your interests or take tests to finish school. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Dual/Concurrent Enrollment:
While attending a regular high school, you can earn extra credits by enrolling in classes at an adult school or community college. You should talk with your guidance counselor or a counselor at adult education or community college about these programs to help you with referrals.
Some examples are: | | | | | | 􀀄􀀄􀀄􀀄􀀄 | Venice Adult Community School 310.577.4230
[veniceadultschool.org](veniceadultschool.org)
Los Angeles City College
323.953.4000 ext. 2104
[lacitycollege.edu](lacitycollege.edu)
Los Angeles Trade Tech College 213.763.5560
[lattc.edu](lattc.edu)
West Valley College 408.867.2200 [westvalley.edu](westvalley.edu)
Antelope Valley College
[avc.edu](avc.edu) | | | | | Students in high school may not be able to get financial aid to pay for their community TIP: college classes, but if you are under 18 years old and enrolled in general education,
the school district may pay for the classes. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | AB 167: [cfyetf.org](cfyetf.org) (AB 167 Frequently Asked Questions) Because foster youth are moved around a lot, sometimes they have to switch schools and it gets in the way of graduating on time. There is a law, commonly called “AB 167” that says: if foster youth are moved when they are in the 11th or 12th grade and that results in changing schools, then the new school must review the youth’s progress towards graduation. If the youth cannot graduate on time because he cannot“reasonably complete” all the required credits, then the youth and their education rights holder have the right to request that the student graduate under AB 167. This means they have to meet state requirements instead of school district graduation requirements. However, the youth still has to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and pass specific classes required by the State of California. Some myths about AB 167: 􀀄 MYTH: Since I’m a foster youth, I don’t have to take all the classes that other youth take in order to graduate. FACT: AB 167 does not apply to all foster youth. The only foster youth that are eligible are ones that moved foster homes or group homes in the 11th or 12th grade and had to change schools because of the move. 􀀄 MYTH: Since I’m a foster youth, I only need 130 credits to graduate. FACT: Just because you have completed/passed 130 credits does not mean you are eligible for graduation under AB 167. You must complete specific classes, which may add up to 130 credits. You also have to pass the CAHSEE. 􀀄 MYTH: If I graduate with an AB 167 diploma, I am not eligible to go to a Cal State or a UC college. FACT: The issue with applying to a four-year college is not the fact that you earned a diploma under AB 167. The problem is that to be eligible for a four-year college, you have to take specific classes. Those classes are not required under AB 167. So, you may not have taken all the classes you need to apply to a four-year school. You should have no problem applying to a community college. GED (General Education Development Test): 916 .445.9438, [www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd](www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd) [The GED test is for a student over 17 years old and tests your knowledge on five subjects: Language](The GED test is for a student over 17 years old and tests your knowledge on five subjects: Language)[ ](The GED test is for a student over 17 years old and tests y

FAQs

What programs can help someone earn a high school diploma or equivalent certificate?

Options include catching up on credits through dual/concurrent enrollment, completing specialized classes, and finishing school through graduation-related tests such as the GED. The document also covers GED Plus/Diploma Plus pathways when credits are behind.

Who is eligible to request graduation under AB 167?

Eligibility is limited to foster youth who moved foster homes or group homes in the 11th or 12th grade and had to change schools because of the move. The new school must review progress toward graduation.

What are the requirements and trade-offs of earning a GED?

A GED earns a California High School Equivalency Certificate, not a high school diploma. It can support job eligibility and financial aid for community college, but it is not free, costs about $150–$200 per test, and some employers or military branches may not accept it like a diploma.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky