The Impact of Modifications

Summary:

This page provides information about the impact of making modifications to a student’s curriculum outcomes and information about how modifications impact the type of diploma a student will receive.

Because of the long-range impact of changing expectations for a student’s level of achievement, modifications to curriculum outcomes should be considered after all appropriate accommodations have been tried. Students with disabilities who are not challenged to reach the same level of achievement as their nondisabled peers may not be able to earn a standard diploma or a degree from a postsecondary institution. They may also limit the types of careers and occupations in which they can find work.

Florida offers all students several options regarding the type of diploma they may earn. In addition to these choices, students with disabilities are eligible to earn a special diploma. Substantial modifications to a student’s curriculum outcomes limit the student to one of the following options.

Special Diploma, Option 1

Requirements

• The student must earn the number of course credits specified by the local school board by taking exceptional student education (ESE) classes and/or basic education (regular academic) or career education classes, and
• The student must master the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma at the level specified on his or her IEP.

Postsecondary Options with the Special Diploma, Option 1

• The student is eligible to enroll in the certificate career education programs. Florida Statutes section 1007.263 (4), Community colleges; admission of students.
• The student may be employed in an occupation for which he or she has been trained.

Special Diploma, Option 2

Requirements for Special Diploma, Option 2

• The student must master a set of competencies related to employment and access to the community that has been developed individually for him or her and specified in his or her graduation training plan.
• The student must achieve all annual goals and short-term objectives identified on his or her transition IEP related to employment and community competencies.
• The student must be successfully employed at or above the minimum wage for at least one semester.

Postsecondary Options with the Special Diploma, Option 2

• The student may be employed in the occupation for which he or she has been trained.

Special Certificate of Completion

This option is available to a student with a disability who has passed the required ESE courses in high school, but is unable to master all of the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma.

Postsecondary Options with the Special Certificate of Completion are:

• Participation in an appropriate community setting
• Employment in an appropriate occupation

Resources

For information on other options that are available to students with disabilities if their curriculum outcomes have not been modified, use this link to download Diploma Decisions for Students with Disabilities (PDF, 62 pages, 1.2 MB).

High School Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities -- Getting the Right Fit, 2004
(PDF, 6 pages, 400 KB) publication number ESE 312217
Download from the Publications page of the Clearinghouse Information Center at http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pub-home.asp
or order from the Clearinghouse by email cicbiscs@fldoe.org or call 850-245-0477.

Modifications | Alternate Curriculum | Partial Requirements | Training