A variance may be granted to you as an alternative means of demonstrating academic proficiency. The variance may be considered when a student’s situation is something other than a disability or substantial hardship.

If a student graduated prior to 2006 with a Certificate of Performance or a Certificate of Attendance, they may be eligible to receive a variance more easily than students who graduated after 2006. However, there are eligibility requirements that students must meet. For more details, students or parents can call our office at (404) 499-9046 or go to www.doe.k12.ga.us and select the GHSGT Waiver and Variance icon.

Our company has a 100% success rate with getting student approved for a variance.

A waiver may be granted to a student:

1. If, due to a disability, a student is incapable of passing a section of the Georgia High School Graduation Test in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and writing. This disability must be noted in the student’s Individual education Plan (IEP).

OR

2. If the student has not had a reasonable opportunity to pass a section of the GHSGT due to a substantial hardship beyond his/her control. A substantial hardship is a significant, unique, and demonstratable economic, technological, legal, or other type of deprivation to a student.

At the present time, our staff does not assist students with waiver request.

Q:        Who is eligible for a variance?

1.         Anyone who graduated with a Certificate of Performance or a Certificate of Attendance may be
   eligible to receive a variance. Additionally, students must have taken the test at least four (4)
   times AND must have taken the test within one year of requesting a variance; have met the SEM
   for the test in which they desire the variance; have attended school on a regular basis when
   enrolled; and have received some form of tutoring.

 

Q:        What if I failed all parts of the graduation test; can I apply for a variance?

1. Students can only fail TWO parts of the graduation. They must pass at least three parts of the
   graduation test to be eligible for a variance.

 

Q:        Do I have to make a certain score on the graduation test?

1. Yes. In order to be eligible for the variance, students must have scored at least the following
   score(s) on the graduation test at least ONCE. For example, if a student graduated in 2001
   and took the mathematics test and scored 497. Then that student has met the GHSGT score
   requirement. This is referred to as the SEM.

           

TEST	Quality Core Curriculum (QCC)	Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)
English	≥493	≥190
Mathematics	≥494	NA
Science	≥494	≥192
Social Studies	≥495	NA
Writing	≥496	≥194

 

Q:        What if I don’t have my test scores?

1. Students should contact their local school system to request their GHSGT scores and if
   applicable, their EOCT scores. Students will also need to request a copy of their transcript.

 

Q:        What documentation must I provide to Learning First in order to request a variance?

1. Students must submit a copy of their transcript, ALL graduation test scores, a copy of their
   EOCT scores if applicable, and a letter verifying that they received tutorial assistance. Refer to
   the price list for the variance preparation fee.

 

Q:        Do colleges accept the variance?

1. Yes. However, for research colleges, please contact their admissions office.

 

Q:        If I receive a variance, what would be my date of graduation?

1. The date of graduation will be the month and year of the student’s original graduation date. So, if
   a student received a Certificate of Performance in 1999, then their new diploma will read
   “Graduated in May 1999.”