As the result of a change in state law, South Carolina students -- including those from Kershaw County -- in the class of 2015 will no longer have to pass the state’s exit exam as a requirement for graduation from high school. Starting this month, the deletion of the exit exam requirement also applies to any student in the graduating class of 1990 and later.

Any Kershaw County School District (KCSD) student who completed all of the Carnegie unit credit requirements for a high school diploma from 1990 to 2014, but did not pass the exit exam can petition the district for a high school diploma. The elimination of the exit exam requirement applies to both BSAP (Basic Skills Assessment Program) and HSAP (High School Assessment Program).

To request a high school diploma, persons should submit an application and send it to KCSD Elementary Executive Director Tim Hopkins. Required information includes:

• the student’s full name as it appears on the birth certificate;

• date of birth;

• the high school attended; and

• the school year in which student would have graduated.

The school district will review the request and submit it to the S.C. State Department of Education. All petitions for diplomas must be filed by the end of 2015.

Questions should be directed to Hopkins at 432-8416.

(This information provided by the Kershaw County School District.)