DIFFERENTIAL GRADUATION AND COMPETENCY STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

BOARD POLICY - 6146.4

The Governing Board recognizes that students with disabilities are entitled to a course of study that provides them with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and that modifications to the district's regular course may be needed on an individualized basis to provide FAPE. In accordance with law, each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team shall determine the appropriate goals, as well as any appropriate individual accommodations necessary for measuring the academic achievement and functional performance of the student on state and district-wide assessments.

Certificate of Educational Achievement or Completion
Instead of a high school diploma, a student with disabilities may be awarded a certificate or document of educational achievement or completion if the student has met one of the following requirements (Education Code 56390):

  • Satisfactorily completed a prescribed alternative course of study approved by the Board of the district in which the student attended school or the district with jurisdiction over the student as identified in his/her IEP.
  • Satisfactorily met his/her IEP goals and objectives during high school as determined by the IEP team.
  • Satisfactorily attended high school, participated in the instruction as prescribed in his/her IEP, and met the objectives of the statement of transition services.

A student with disabilities who meets any of the criteria specified above shall be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and any school activity related to graduation in which a graduating student of similar age without disabilities would be eligible to participate. (Education Code 56391)

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE
56341 Individualized Education Program Team
56345 Elements of the IEP
56390-56392 Certificate of Completion, Special Education
60850-60859 High School Exit Examination
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
3070 Graduation
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1400-1482 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
300.1-300.818 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, especially:
300.320 Definition of IEP

Policy Adopted: October 2, 2012

Administrative Regulation