What is required for a high school diploma for a child with a disability?

Every state has its own graduation requirements. Therefore, parents should carefully research what classes students are required to take in high school, and what standards they need to meet. In California, students will not only need to meet state-mandated graduation requirements, but district requirements as well, which can vary from district to district.

The California standards are:

• Three years of English
• Two years of math (including Algebra 1)
• Three years of social science (U.S. History and geography; world history, culture and geography; and one semester each of American government and economics)
• Two years of science (biological and physical)
• Two years of physical education
• One year of foreign language (American Sign Language is considered a foreign language) or visual/performing arts or career technical education

“Vast discretion is given to school districts about what qualifies for graduation requirements,” special education attorney Grace Clark says, “and beyond that, there are minimum requirements provided by the state.” The California Transition Alliance, which works to support students through the transition to adulthood, argues against school districts setting requirements that exceed those set by the state.

For more, see this article. Also check out New Pathways to a Diploma for Students with Disabilities for updates on alternate graduation criteria for students with cognitive and other disabilities.