House Bill 2848 Enrolled

Summary: This bill creates new provisions for school districts and public charter schools relating to high school graduation.

  1. Modified Diploma: HB 2848 requires districts to award a modified diploma if the student meets requirements established by the State Board of Education.

The school district shall award a modified diploma to a student who has:

  • demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards;
  • a documented history of an inability to maintain grade level achievement;
  • significant learning and instructional barriers or a medical condition that creates a barrier to success
  1. Alternative Certificates: The Bill requires districts to award alternative certificates to students not obtaining a high school diploma or a modified high school diploma if the student meets requirements established by the school district board of education.
  1. Participation in Graduation Ceremonies: Students receiving a modified diploma or certificate of completion must have the option to participate with other students in their class in high school graduation ceremonies.
  1. Further Education to AchieveHigh School Diploma: This Bill also clarifies that students with disabilities who have received a modified diploma or alternative certificate have the right to additional education in order to receive a high school diploma.
  1. Not Identified as Special Education: The school district may not identify special education students that have completed program requirements as a child with as a disability, that is, a modified diploma is not a special education diploma.
  1. Summary of Performance: A school district shall give a student with a disability on an individualized education program, a summary of performance when the student completes high school.
  1. Timelines:
  • This bill applies to students that will receive a diploma from a school district on or after July 1, 2009.
  • This bill applies to charter schools that obtained their charter prior to July 1, 2009.
  • School districts and charter schools shall make modified diplomas and certificates of attendance available for the 2008-2009 school year.
  1. Notification:
  • The State Board must establish OARs related to modified diploma criteria so that districts can implement this legislation in the 2008-2009 school year.
  • Some districts already have a modified diploma program; however, the criteria for those programs are inconsistent across the state. Those districts must use the criteria established by the State Board in the 2008-09 school year.
  • Some districts also have an alternativecertificate; however, the criteria for those certificates are inconsistent across the state. Districts are free to use their own criteria for alternative certificates.