4.5.3 Alternatives to High School Diploma

Exemption from District-Adopted Graduation Requirements for Students with IEPs

Prior to the beginning of grade 10, the individualized education program (IEP) team for each student with disabilities shall determine whether the student is eligible for exemption from all coursework and other requirements adopted by the Board in addition to the statewide course requirements for high school graduation, and if so, shall notify the student’s parent/guardian of the exemption.  A student with disabilities shall be eligible for the exemption, if the student’s IEP provides for both of the following requirements:  (Education Code 51225.31)

1. That the student take the alternate assessment aligned to alternate achievement standards in grade 11 as described in Education Code 60640.

2. That the student complete state standards aligned coursework to meet the statewide coursework specified in Education Code 51225.3.

The award of a high school diploma under this exemption does not change the student’s right to obtain a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) or otherwise constitute a change in placement. 

A student who obtains an exemption 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. The right to participate in graduation ceremonies does not equate an exemption with a regular high school diploma. (SFUSD Board Policy 6146.1).

Certificate of Completion

Instead of a high school diploma, a student with disabilities may be awarded a certificate of completion if the student has met one of the following requirements: (i) satisfactorily completed a prescribed alternative course of study approved by the governing board of the District in which the student attended school or the District with jurisdiction over the student as identified in their IEP, (ii) satisfactorily met their goals and objectives during high school as identified in their IEP, (iii) satisfactorily attended high school, participated in the instruction as prescribed in their IEP, and met the objectives of the statement of transition services.

A student who obtains a Certificate of Completion 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. The right to participate in graduation ceremonies does not equate a certificate of completion with a high school diploma. (SFUSD Board Policy 6146.1)

See the full Handbook and downloadable, translated PDFs at sfusd.edu/Handbook.