In the spring of 2006, the North Carolina State Board of Education established the Graduation Project as a graduation requirement for all students in North Carolina public schools, starting with the Class of 2010. The policy states in part: "Effective with the class entering ninth grade for the first time in the 2006-2007 school year, students who are following the career preparation, college technical preparation, or college/university preparation course of study shall meet the following standards for proficiency: B) successfully complete a graduation project that is developed, monitored, and scored with the LEA (Local Education Agency--a school system) using state-adopted rubrics." The completion of the Graduation Project is a state requirement, not a local initiative, and must be successfully completed in order for students to receive a high school diploma from a NC public school.