Differential Graduation and Competency Standards For Students With Disabilities

San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education

Board Policy 6146.4

Differential Graduation and Competency Standards For Students With Disabilities

 

This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.

 

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. 

 

(cf. 6159 – Individualized Education Program)

(cf. 6159.1 – Procedural Safeguards and Complaints for Special Education)

(cf. 6162.51 – State Academic Achievement Tests)

(cf. 6164.4 – Identification and Evaluation of Individuals for Special Education)

 

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)

 

1. 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
    
2. Satisfactorily met his/her IEP goals and objectives during high school as determined by the IEP team
    
3. Satisfactorily attended high school, participated in the instruction as prescribed in his/her IEP, and met the objectives of the statement of transition services

 

(cf. 6146.1 – High School Graduation Requirements)

 

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)

 

(cf. 5127 – Graduation Ceremonies and Activities)

 

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

56341   Individualized education program team

56345   Elements of the IEP

56390-56392   Certificate of completion, special education

 

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

 

Management Resources:

WEB SITES

California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html?src=mr

 

 

Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.