Work Ethic Diploma Logo

  KC Alvarado,

  Career Success Coordinator for

  Hamblen County Schools

Phone:  (423) 586-7700 Extension 376

Address: 

Hamblen County Department of Education

Career & Technical Education Department

Attention: KC Alvarado

210 E. Morris Blvd.

Morristown, TN 37813

What is the Work Ethic Diploma?

The "Work Ethic Diploma" is a workforce readiness credential that can be earned by high school seniors in participating counties. Students who earned the Work Ethic Diploma will be given preference for job interviews at partnering employers if they meet all other qualifications of the job posting.

Participating students will receive a list of Work Ethic Diploma Standards which includes 14 achievement categories.  Each achievement category has one, two, or three subcategories that are assigned a point value.  Students who sign up for the Work Ethic Diploma must complete enough of the goals set out in the achievement categories to score 20 points in order to receive the diploma. 

Tennessee Work Ethic Diploma Standards

1. Attendance Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has no more than 5 absences from school during the senior year.

    (2 pts.) Student has no more than 3 absences from school during the senior year.

    (3 pts.) Student has no more than 1 absence from school during the senior year.

2. Absence Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has no more that one unexcused absence from school during the senior year.

    (2 pts.) Students has no unexcused absences from school during the senior year.

3. Tardiness Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has no more than two unexcused tardies to school during the senior year.  

    (2 pts.) Student has no more than one unexcused tardy to school during the senior year.

4. Discipline Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has no more than one discipline referral during the senior year.

    (2 pts.) Student has no discipline referrals during the senior year.

5. Overall Grade Point Average

    (1 pt.)   Student has an overall GPA of 2.0 to 2.9

    (2 pts.) Student has an overall GPA of 3.0 to 3.4

    (3 pts.) Student has an overall GPA of 3.5 or above

6. Drug Free Standard

    (5 pts.) Student voluntarily presents written proof as being drug free.

7. CTE Coursework Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has successfully completed at least one CTE course by the end of the senior year.

    (2 pts.) Student has successfully completed two CTE courses by the end of the senior year.

    (3 pts.) Student has successfully completed three or more CTE courses by the end of the senior year.

8. CTE Competition Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has competed in an approved regional level CTE competition during the senior year.

    (2 pts.) Student has competed in an approved state level CTE competition during the senior year.

    (3 pts.) Student has competed in an approved national level CTE competition during the senior year.

9. TN Promise Standard

    (2 pts.) Student is in good standing with TN Promise and has completed the required 8 hours of

                community service.

10. Dual Enrollment/Credit Standard

    (2 pts.) Student has successfully completed a dual enrollment or dual credit CTE course at either

                WSCC, TCAT Morristown, or TCAT Hawkins County Branch during or before the senior year.

11. Industry Certification Standard

    (2 pts.) Student has received a national industry certification during or before the senior year.

                (i.e., Snap-on Metering Certificate, NCCER Certificate, etc.)

12. Enrollment in Post-Secondary Standard

    (2 pts.) Student is registered or has applied at a post-secondary institution for the fall of the

                graduating year.

13. Career Readiness Certificate Standard

    (2 pts.) Student has achieved a Bronze Level Career Readiness Certificate.

    (4 pts.) Student has achieved a Silver Level Career Readiness Certificate.

    (6 pts.) Student has achieved a Gold or Platinum Level Career Readiness Certificate.

14. Industry Awareness Standard

    (1 pt.)   Student has participated in one industry awareness event during the senior year.

    (2 pts.) Student has participated in more than one industry awareness event during the senior year.

    (3 pts.) Student has participated in an internship or work based learning activity.

*To receive a Work Ethic Diploma a student must earn a minimum of 20 points and a regular high school diploma.*

Work Ethic Diploma Industry Partners List

 Work Ethic Diploma Checklist

1. Number of absences in Senior year?
2. Number of Unexcused absences in Senior year?
3. Number of Unexcused tardies in Senior year?
4. Number of discipline referrals in Senior year?
5. 7th semester weighted GPA
6. If able to, attach written proof (from health provider) of being drug free.
7. How many CTE courses will be completed by the end of Senior year?
8. Have you participated in an approved CTE competition during Senior year?  If yes, what level?
9. Have you completed TNPromise application and the required 8 hours of community service?
10. Have you successfully completed either a Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, or Advanced Placement course and will be granted college credit?
11. Do you have a national industry certification earned prior to graduation?  If yes, what is it in?
12. Have you applied to a post-secondary institution for the fall of the graduating year?  If yes, where have you applied?
13. Have you achieved a level in a Career Readiness Certificate? (this can be gained by taking the Work Keys test)  If yes, what level was it?
14. Have you participated in an industry awareness event during your Senior year?  If yeas, how many?
15. Have you participated in an internship or work based learning activity?

The checklist information (please print out the PDF above) is due to the Counseling office by April 27th.

Make sure to register at www.workethicdiploma.com prior to turning in form