Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Golden State Seal Merit Diploma

To be eligible for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, students must be receiving a high school diploma from their district and have earned designated results on six qualifying examinations.

Golden State Seal Merit Diploma Procedures Letter (Dated 21-Jan-2025)
Letter to high school and unified school district superintendents and charter school administrators.

Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD) Eligibility Requirements
Criteria for eligibility for award.

The Certification of Award Summary Sheet (XLSX)
Spreadsheet that can be used for identifying graduating seniors who meet GSSMD requirements, for local use only.

Golden State Seal Merit Diploma Request Form (PDF)
For district or charter school use. Must be signed and emailed to the California Department of Education at gssmd@cde.ca.gov.

The Frequently Asked Questions web page
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma FAQs.

Promotional Flyer (PDF)
Provides information on the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.

Questions:   Golden State Seal Merit Diploma | gssmd@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0758
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Recently Posted in Testing
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 310 (added 14-Mar-2025)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, February 28, 2025.
  • Effective Transitions Presentation Note Guide (added 11-Mar-2025)
    This resource guide is meant to provide additional information to those who attended the Effective Transitions Using High School Equivalency and Proficiency Programs presentation at the Charter Schools Conference in March 2025.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 309 (added 19-Feb-2025)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, February 14, 2025.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 308 (added 11-Feb-2025)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, February 7, 2025.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 307 (added 05-Feb-2025)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, January 31, 2025.