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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Beginning with the class of 2006, high school graduates will be receiving different kinds of diplomas depending on how they did in the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test.
The graduates will receive a basic diploma, an alternative completion diploma or a certificate of completion.
Colleges and military recruiters will need to figure out which levels will be satisfactory.
"We haven't decided exactly how we will deal with these students," said Bruce Bowen, Weber State University associate provost for enrollment services.
Army and Air Force recruiters said military officials still have to address the issue.
The class of 2006 will be the first to graduate under UBSCT requirements, and universities begin their recruiting campaign this fall for those students.
At Weber State, a Faculty Senate subcommittee will meet during the summer to study the issue, Bowen said. "It will be decided by September."
Utah State administration will have many conversations on this issue during the summer, said Jimmy Moore, director of admissions.
Sophomores statewide take the basic skills test in February. The test includes three subtests on reading, writing and math.
Sections not passed may be retaken in October and February of the junior and senior years.
A basic diploma will go to students who have passed all three subtests and successfully completed all state and district course requirements.
An alternative completion diploma indicates the student did not pass all subtests but tried three times and did complete course requirements.
A certificate of completion is given if a student does not pass all the subtests, did not try three times and did not complete course requirements, but did go to school through the senior year.
The Army is studying the graduation issue and no decisions have been made, said Robert Remington, education services specialist for the Army, Salt Lake City recruiting battalion.
"The first and second one -- I see no problem with them," Remington said. "The third one -- We'll have to study that."
Utah State admission is based on the student's ACT score and grade-point average.
Weber State has an open-door admission policy, requiring a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, regardless of grade-point average or ACT score.
"Admitting more students who are even less prepared than a basic high school diploma. ... I don't know if it's good for the students or us," Bowen said. "There are no easy answers."
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
