Certificate of attendance Wellcome L0069059

A certificate of attendance (also certificate of participation or certificate of completion) is an official

document A document is a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin ''Documentum'', which denotes a "teaching" or ...

proving the attendance of a class, a language course or a training course. Although it could increase the prospects of professional promotion, this type of certificate is not a credential because it does not provide proof of learning, that is, no knowledge is assessed before such a certificate is issued.

United States and Canada

In the United States and Canada, a certificate of attendance is a certificate given to students who complete the K-12 (

kindergarten Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cent ...

through

12th grade Twelfth grade, 12th grade, senior year, or grade 12 is the final year of secondary school in most of North America. In other regions, it may also be referred to as class 12 or Year 13. In most countries, students are usually between the ages of 17 ...

) program but do not meet the requirements for the

high school diploma A high school diploma or high school degree is a North American academic school leaving qualification awarded upon high school graduation. The high school diploma is typically obtained after a course of study lasting four years, from grade 9 to gra ...

or the modified diploma. Students who complete 12th grade but did not obtain enough

credits Credit refers to any form of deferred payment, the granting of a loan and the creation of debt. Credit may also refer to: Places * Credit, Arkansas, a ghost town * Credit River, a river in Ontario, Canada * Credit River (Minnesota), a river in ...

, did not complete all core courses, did not pass required testing or did not meet the goals outlined in their individualized program will still be acknowledged in the graduation ceremony; they will walk across the stage in cap and gown, and will look like a graduate. Instead of receiving a diploma, however, they will receive a certificate of attendance. Some students are encouraged to return to school for either a full year or more (and then to graduate whenever they finish) to make up their credits, pass required testing or meet their goals, and finally obtain a regular or modified diploma. Some alternative programs allow students to finish in half year provided that they meet certain requirements. Certificates of attendance are also given to students that participate in early college or other such programs, as the school will withhold a credit to keep them enrolled in highschool as they continue their college program. Some schools do not allow these students to participate in the graduation ceremony. This is controversial as some students feel that the social benefits of graduation are important.

Certification of completion

Upon completion of a college, university, or

vocational school A vocational school is a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to complete the tasks ...

certificate program, students generally receive a certification of completion or certificate of achievement, not a degree or diploma. Candidates who are enrolled in an institution as full or part-time students may be able to transfer these certificates to degree programs at other institutions. Students with disabilities who complete the required

Individualized Education Program An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document under United States law that is developed for each public school child in the U.S. who needs special education. It is created through a team of the child's parent(s) and district person ...

but do not meet the requirements of the high school diploma who complete 12th grade may also be awarded a certificate of completion.

References

Bibliography

* Jacob, Brian A.; "Getting Tough? The Impact of High School Graduation Exams"; ''Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis''; v. 23, n. 2, pp. 99–121 (Summer 2001) * Cameron, S. V. & Heckman, J. J., "The Nonequivalence of High School Equivalents"; ''Journal of Labor Economics''; v. 11, n. 1, pt. 1, p. 1-? (1993)

United States and Canada

Certification of completion

References

Bibliography

Further reading