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Q: |
What are the diploma options? |
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A: |
To make sure your child finishes high school with a diploma, it is important
to plan for the type of diploma he or she will earn. You will need to help
monitor your child's progress toward that goal and collaborate with school
personnel in making changes in his/her educational program as needed.
Students have several options regarding the type of diploma or certificate
they may earn when graduating from high school. The diploma choices are:
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Standard diploma
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Special diploma (option 1 or option 2)
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Certificate of completion
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Earn a diploma by passing the GED tests
When making diploma decisions, it is important to think about your child's
desired post-school outcomes:
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What does he or she want to do after high school?
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Where does your son or daughter plan to live?
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Where will he or she be employed?
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Three to five years after the student leaves school, how will he or she be
spending leisure time and engaging in social relationships?
This information will assist the TIEP team in determining what type of
diploma or certificate of completion is required to meet post-school goals.
Earning a particular type of diploma or certificate of completion will have
a direct impact on post-secondary education and employment opportunities
that will be available to your son or daughter.
Note: The awarding of a Special Diploma does NOT end the right of a
student with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).
A student may pursue and earn a standard high school diploma until the end
of the school year, when the student reaches the age of 22. |
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Q: |
What if my child has not
passed the 10th grade FCAT by the time he/she has completed all the course
requirements to receive a standard high school diploma? |
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A: |
There are two options available. If your child has met all the requirements
for a special diploma, he or she may receive the special diploma and take
part in graduation ceremonies. The other option is to receive a certificate
of completion, which also allows students to participate in the graduation
ceremony. Both options allow students to continue to take the 10th grade
FCAT as many times as needed until he or she passes. Upon passing the test,
he or she will receive a standard high school diploma. Students will only
retake those sections (mathematics or communications) that they did not pass
before. |
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Q: |
What are the requirements for
a special diploma (option 1)? |
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A: |
In order to receive a special diploma under option 1, students with
disabilities must:
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Earn the minimum number of course credits defined by the district school
board (credits may be earned in basic, vocational, or ese classes)
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Master the Student Performance Standards developed by the State for each
disability or the Sunshine State Standards for a Special Diploma
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Students with only visual impairments or speech impairments are not
eligible for a special diploma unless they also have another identified
disability.
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Q: |
What are the requirements for
special diploma (option 2)? |
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A: |
In
order to receive a special diploma under option 2, students with
disabilities must be:
- Successfully employed in the community
for a period of one semester, at or above minimum wage
- Meet all annual goals and short-term
objectives related to employment and community competencies in the TIEP
- Master skills in his or her employment
and community competencies training plan.
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Q: |
What is a certificate of
completion? |
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A: |
A student who has attempted to earn a standard diploma may elect to receive
a certificate of completion if they have earned the minimum number of
credits (24) but have not received a passing score on the 10th grade FCAT
and/or they do not have a 2.0 grade point average. |
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Q: |
What is a general education
development (GED) diploma? |
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A: |
A
student may work towards a GED diploma in various ways.
- Students who have left high school
without earning a standard diploma, special diploma or certificate of
completion may earn a Florida high school diploma by passing the GED
tests. These students may prepare for the GED tests by attending classes
offered through their community adult education programs.
- Students leave high school without a
standard diploma and who are at least 18 years of age, may be granted
admission to a community college on a provisional basis. They may be
allowed to take up to 12 credit hours as non-degree seeking students.
However, they must pass the GED tests while enrolled.
- If a student is at risk of dropping out
and is otherwise eligible for the school district's dropout prevention
program, the student may be able to work toward passing the GED tests.
Your school district may offer more options
than the ones described above. You should talk to your child's ese teacher
or guidance counselor for more information about all options for a GED
diploma.
The GED test is comprised of six areas:
- Mathematics (includes questions dealing
with Algebra and Geometry)
- Literature
- Science
- Social studies
- English
- Writing skills (200-word essay on a
specific topic).
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Q: |
What is a special certificate
of completion? |
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A: |
A special certificate of completion is awarded to those students who are not
able to meet all of the graduation requirements for a special diploma. This
certificate certifies that the student passed the required ese courses in
high school, but failed to master the Student Performance Standards for
Exceptional Education & Student Services or the Sunshine State Standards for Special
Diploma.
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