BP 6146.4 — Differential Graduation And Competency Standards For Students With Disabilities

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team shall determine the appropriate standards and assessments, as well as the accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities. When necessary, the IEP team shall, in accordance with the law, develop differential proficiency standards appropriate to the student's needs and potential. These differential standards shall be included in the student's individualized education program.

No student shall be classified as eligible for differential standards of proficiency for the purpose of circumventing the legal requirement to maintain academic eligibility for extracurricular or co-curricular activities. (Education Code 35160.5)

Exemption from District-Established Graduation Requirements

Upon an individual determination by the student's IEP team, a student with a disability that entered the ninth grade in the 2022-2023 school year and later may be exempted from any coursework and other requirements adopted by the Board that are in addition to the statewide course requirements for high school graduation when the student's IEP team determines that such an exemption is necessary for the student to graduate with a diploma aligned to the student's IEP and postsecondary goals.

When granting an exemption, the IEP team shall:

1. Confirm that the student will complete all coursework required by Education Code 51225.3

2.   Consider the impact of not fulfilling locally required coursework on the pupil's ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education

3. Document each waived or substituted district requirement, the justification for the exemption, and the anticipated date of diploma completion in the IEP

4. Provide written notice of the decision to the parent/guardian and review the exemption annually

5. Review the exemption annually and adjust the student's course of study as needed

Students whose IEPs document eligibility for the California Alternate Assessment shall be exempted pursuant to Education Code 51225.31.

Any such exempted student shall receive a diploma and be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and school activity related to graduation in which a student of similar age without a disability would be eligible to participate.  (Education Code 51225.31)

The district's responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) shall not terminate when a student with a disability who is exempted from district-adopted graduation requirements participates in graduation activities unless the student's IEP team, which includes the parent/guardian and student, has determined that the student has completed the high school experience.  (Education Code 51225.31)

Certificate of Completion

A student with disabilities may be awarded a certificate or document of 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 governing board of the district in which the student attended school or the district with jurisdiction over the student as identified in the student's IEP.

Satisfactorily met the goals and objectives during high school as identified in the student's IEP.

Satisfactorily attended high school, participated in the instruction as prescribed in the student's IEP, and met the objectives of the statement of transition services.

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