Related Topics: Assessment | Transition
There are four ways in which a student receiving special education services may graduate from high school and receive a regular high school diploma. When a student receiving special education has satisfactorily completed minimum credit and curriculum requirements applicable to students in general education, as specified in 19 TAC Chapter 74, and passed the exit-level assessment, the student can graduate and receive a high school diploma under the recommended or distinguished graduation programs outlined in 19 TAC Chapter 74. 19 TAC § 89.1070(b)(1).
A student can also graduate under the minimum graduation program upon satisfactorily completing the minimum credit and curriculum requirements for students in general education and participating in required assessments. The student’s ARD committee must determine whether satisfactory performance on a required assessment shall also be required for graduation. 19 TAC § 89.1070(b)(2). It should be noted that courses with modified content apply to the minimum high school program only and cannot be counted toward the recommended or distinguished programs (see page 3/16 of the 2008 Minimum Standards for the AAR).
In addition, a student can graduate by completing the minimum credit requirements for students in general education, completing the minimum curriculum requirements to the extent possible as determined by the ARD committee, and completing the requirements of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) including one of the following conditions outlined in the IEP: (a) full-time employment and sufficient self-help skills to maintain employment without direct and ongoing support from the school district; (b) demonstration of specific employability and self-help skills that do not require direct ongoing support from the school district; or (c) access to services that are not within the legal responsibility of public education or to employment or educational options for which the student has been prepared by the academic program. 19 TAC § 89.1070(c).
Finally, a student receiving special education services may also graduate and receive a regular high school diploma upon the ARD committee’s determining that the student no longer meets age eligibility requirements and has completed the requirements specified in the IEP. 19 TAC § 89.1070(d).
It should be noted that students receiving special education services are no longer permitted to be exempted from the state assessment program and must take the assessment instrument that the ARD committee has determined is appropriate. Information regarding the state assessment instrument and the alternate assessment instruments is available on the TEA website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/assessment.html.
It should be further noted that a student who is dismissed from special education services must perform satisfactorily on the general assessment instrument or TAKS, as only students receiving special education are eligible to participate in the TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS-M or TAKS-Alt assessment instruments. ARD committees should carefully consider whether a student is capable of passing the statewide exit-level assessment before dismissing the student from special education services. An ARD committee should have confidence that a student who is dismissed from special education will be able to successfully complete all of the requirements for high school graduation, including satisfactory performance on the statewide exit-level assessment.
State Resources
Related Requirements in Rules and Regulations
Texas Education Code (state law)
Texas Administrative Code (State Board of Education and Commissioner's Rules)
Technical Assistance and Training
Student Assessment Division Email Contacts
If you have questions concerning the state assessment program, please view the
Student Assessment Division's list
of contacts according to specific subject area. Please search carefully
for the closest area to your particular question as that will affect the timeliness
of the answer. If your question is urgent, please contact the division directly
by phone at (512) 463-9536.
Education Service Centers (First Points of Contact for
Technical Assistance and Training)
For technical assistance and training in regard to assessing students with disabilities
and other aspects of the provision of services for students with disabilities,
contact your regional education service
center.
The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education
Process
The Legal Framework is a template in an electronic format that summarizes state
and federal requirements for special education by topic for parents and educators.
A framework addressing Graduation
has been developed.
Texas Education Agency | Division of IDEA Coordination
1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560
Last Updated: November 22, 2010 | Created: January 7, 2008
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