WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  – A retroactive change in North Carolina law allows thousands of students who came close to getting a high school diploma to finally collect their sheepskins.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported Thursday the change affects students who finished all requirements for graduation except passing the state competency tests in reading and math, or a computer skills test.

The General Assembly eliminated competency tests as graduation requirements in a move retroactive to 1981, when they were first required for a diploma.

Kenneth Simington with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools says several dozen students in each class since 1981 now could be eligible for a diploma, but they’ll have to step forward themselves.