As an accredited high school, a Job Corps center is authorized by the state department of education to confer high school diplomas. Depending upon state and local statutes, the center may be designated an alternative high school, a charter school, or other educational program.

• Review some basic steps to accreditation and things to consider identified by center staff members of the Job Corps Task Force on High School Programs.
• Use the questions below to access resources and technical assistance products that may be helpful throughout the work of developing and implementing an accredited high school program.

1. What are state statutes/regulations for high school accreditation?

• For comprehensive information on state-level policies and legislation regarding accreditation in public schools go to the web site of the Education Commission of the States
• A State-by-State Directory of contact information compiled for use by Job Corps centers

2. Are charter schools legal in your state?

• To learn more about charter school development, review the resources provided by www.uscharterschools.org
• Alternative Schools Policy and Legislation Across the United States (pdf file, Click to download Adobe® Acrobat Reader) provides a list and review of current state legislation and policy from 48 states that had some type of legislation addressing alternative schools or programs.

3. What is the process for being accredited as a high school that can grant a state recognized diploma?

• Suggested Starting Point: Refer to your local, county, state department of education.
• Click here to view information about regional accrediting organizations (MS Word file, Click to download MS Word Viewer).

4. Would you like to know more to prepare for your research into components/requirements for high school programs? (e.g. curriculum, accountability, facilities, staff credentialing)

• Learn about Job Corps centers that operate as diploma granting institutions.
• View a list of charter schools operating near Job Corps centers.
• View/download the Pine Knot Booklet: A High School Program, Some Things to Consider (an example of a competency-based program).
• Learn about a variety of professional development resources for teachers with The Praxis Series and the Teaching and Learning pages of the Educational Testing Services Web site.