Graduation for Students with Disabilities

  • Students with disabilities should be held to the same requirements as their typical peers as it relates to earning a high school diploma to the maximum extent possible. 

    From the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

    To graduate with a regular diploma, students in the classes of 2023 and beyond must follow a typical pathway to meet Ohio’s graduation requirements in addition to any requirements adopted by their district of residence for the student’s four-year graduation cohort. This includes earning all required credits, demonstrating competency, and earning two diploma seals. All students in Ohio can follow a typical pathway to graduation. However, students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may also graduate via other options based on the IEP team’s decision per Ohio Revised Code 3323.011

    It is important that the IEP team carefully consider the use of these options so as not to lower expectations and limit student opportunities for post-school engagement.

IEPs Graduation Decision-Making Tool

  • For students with disabilities, the “Students with IEPs Graduation Decision-Making Tool” will assist an IEP Team to answer these two important questions:

    1. Has the student with an IEP followed a typical pathway to meet graduation requirements?
    2. When must the student with an IEP exit secondary school?

    Updated Guidance for CCS IEP Teams prior to...

    1. Graduation or
    2. The decision to remain in school beyond the expected graduation date

    During the annual IEP meeting or review IEP meeting of the student’s senior/fourth year of high school, the IEP team will complete the Students with IEPs Graduation Decision-Making Tool and document the team’s decision in the Prior Written Notice (PR-01). 

    If the student remains in school beyond the expected graduation date, the Prior Written Notice (PR-01) should include the areas of continued learning, transition activities, and/or further skill development the student will participate in for the upcoming school year. 

    All students with disabilities should have an Academic Planner for the Diploma or Graduation developed and monitored by the school counselor and/or school Matriculation Team (in collaboration with the SPED Dept. Chair) to ensure students have a pathway to graduation, regardless of whether graduation occurs with the established cohort or thereafter. 

    Graduation Requirements