GRADUATION INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
ALL Students in the state of Florida work toward a standard high school diploma.
24-Credit Option:
• earn passing grades in 24 required courses over 4 years (either standard or access courses)
• have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 upon graduation
• 3 or higher on Grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) assessment or a concordant score
• 3 or higher on Algebra 1 end of course (EOC) exam or a comparative score
ACCEL 18-Credit Diploma Option:
• earn passing grades in 18 required courses (either standard or access courses)
• have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 upon graduation
• 3 or higher on Grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) assessment or a concordant score
• 3 or higher on Algebra 1 end of course (EOC) exam or a comparative score
What is the Difference Between the 24 credit and ACCEL Diploma options?
ACCEL does not require HOPE or online course and only requires 3 electives instead of 8.
Career and Technical Education Pathway
Students must earn at least 18 credits including:
• 4 elective credits
• 2 credits in CTE courses result in completion and industry certification
• 2 credits in work-based learning programs or up to 2 elective credits including financial literacy
*Students are exempt from HOPE, online course, and fine art requirements
Merit Designation
Students must meet the standard high school diploma requirements and attain one or more industry certifications from the list established (per s. 1003.492, F.S.)
Scholar Designation
Students must complete advanced academic course work including Algebra II, Statistics or equally rigorous math, Chemistry or Physics,
two years of the same World Language, and one credit in AP or dual enrollment. Specific course assessments are also required.
Assessment Waivers
EOC/F.A.S.T./FAA (FSA/FSAA) Waivers:
Students with disabilities may be considered for assessment waivers to help meet graduation requirements if the IEP team determines that the assessment(s) cannot accurately measure the student’s abilities, even when appropriate, allowable testing accommodations are used. In order to be considered for assessment waivers, students must meet the following criteria:
• have an active individual educational plan (IEP)
• have taken the assessment with
appropriate, allowable accommodations at least once
• demonstrate mastery of the course standards
Demonstration of course standard mastery is done through a portfolio collection process. The portfolio includes course grades, classroom work samples, and additional work samples collected by school data coaches.
Students will still be given opportunities to participate in EOC/F.A.S.T./FSA/FSAA assessments even after a waiver has been granted in order to ensure that the student has been given every opportunity to pass.
Note: Obtaining assessment waivers does not ensure graduation. Students must meet all graduation requirements.
Graduation Deferment
Students with disabilities may be eligible to defer receipt of their high school diploma and continue to receive services through public education. To qualify for deferral of diploma the student must:
• have an IEP that prescribes special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services through age 21 and
• be enrolled in an accelerated college credit instruction, industry certification courses that lead to college credit, a collegiate high school program, courses necessary to satisfy the Scholar
designation requirements, or a structured work-study, internship, or pre
apprenticeship program.
The decision to defer receipt of diploma must be made the year in which the student is expected to graduate. The parent (or the student over 18 years of age and to whom rights have transferred), MUST SIGN a document stating whether or not they wish to defer.
Benefits for deferral will vary depending on the individual student needs and program selected. Generally, deferral allows the student to have access to college course work, provides vocational training, preparation for college admission, or job skills training. Note: Students who choose to defer are still eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. However, failure to attend the graduation ceremony does not constitute a deferral of the diploma.
Have Questions?
Your school Staffing
Specialist, Guidance
Counselor, ESE Teachers, and the ESE Graduation Coach are here to help!
The Monroe County School District is home to more than 8,000 in the upper, middle, and lower keys. Our Mission,
"Working together to inspire and bring excellence to every student every day", embraces an ever changing and diverse world that will require students to adapt. Our goal is to empower all students to become responsible and
contributing global citizens.
Monroe County School District
241 Trumbo Road
Key West, FL 33040
(305)293-1400
www.keysschools.com
Graduation
Information for Students with Disabilities
Monroe County School District
Working together to inspire and bring excellence to every student every day