(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Granting local education provider" means a local school board, BOCES, district charter high school, or institute charter high school that chooses to grant a STEM diploma endorsement to a student who demonstrates mastery in the STEM disciplines as described in this section. (b) "STEM" means the combination of the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (2) A local education provider may grant a diploma endorsement in STEM to a graduating high school student who demonstrates mastery in the STEM disciplines. To obtain an endorsement in STEM, a graduating student must: (a) Meet the minimum high school graduation requirements at a high level of proficiency as specified by the granting local education provider; (b) Successfully complete, with a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent for a higher scale, a coherent sequence of at least four courses in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as determined by the granting local education provider, which courses are in addition to the minimum graduation requirements in these areas; (c) Demonstrate proficiency in mathematics by: (I) Achieving a score of twenty-eight or higher on the mathematics portion of the ACT college readiness assessment; (II) Achieving a score of six hundred or higher on the mathematics portion of the college readiness assessment provided by the College Board, commonly known as the SAT; (III) Achieving a score of five or higher on the mathematics portion of the international baccalaureate test; (IV) Achieving a score of four or higher on the advanced placement mathematics assessment; (V) Achieving a score of one hundred or higher on the suite of tests that assesses reading, writing, mathematics, and computer skills provided by the College Board for college placement purposes, commonly known as the Accuplacer; or (VI) Achieving a score of eighty-five or higher on the armed services vocational aptitude battery test used for military enlistment; and (d) Successfully complete a final capstone project, which is a culminating exhibition of the student's project or experience that demonstrates academic and intellectual learning. To successfully complete a final capstone project, the student must achieve a high proficiency level of mastery, as set by the granting local education provider, for each of the following competencies: (I) Inquiry-based learning, which is demonstrated through the capstone project by asking questions and defining problems; (II) Creative problem-solving, which is demonstrated through the capstone project by developing and applying scientific and mathematical models to explain complex ideas and solutions; (III) Experimentation, which is demonstrated through the capstone project by planning and carrying out investigations; (IV) Critical thinking, which is demonstrated through the capstone project by analyzing and interpreting data and communicating conclusions; (V) Deductive and inductive reasoning, which is demonstrated through the capstone project by using mathematics and computational thinking; (VI) Understanding of engineering principles, which is demonstrated through the capstone project by constructing explanations and designing solutions; and (VII) Effective communication skills, which are demonstrated through the capstone project by engaging in argument from evidence. (3) Each granting local education provider shall work with STEM-related business and industrial leaders identified by the local education provider within the surrounding communities and with appropriate institutions of higher education to establish the high proficiency levels of mastery that a student must demonstrate in each of the competencies described in subsection (2)(d) of this section. (4) Each granting local education provider shall annually provide to students enrolled in grades six through twelve and their parents information concerning the requirements for obtaining the STEM diploma endorsement.
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