1. State-Defined Alternate Diplomas: Implementation and Considerations
Sheryl Lazarus & Martha Thurlow (NCEO)
Jamie Wong (Louisiana Department of Education)
Kristin Wright (California Department of Education)

2. 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
OSEP Disclaimer
2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this presentation were developed by the presenters for the 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474)

3. States with Alternate DiplomasCA NV AZ OR WA MT WY UT CO TX OK LA AR KS NE SD ND MN WI MI IA MO IL MS AL FL GA TN IN KY OH WV SC NC VA PA NY ME MD DE NJ CT RI NH VT MA ID NM AK HI

4. Alternate Diploma Names
State
Name of Alternate Diploma
Arkansas
Alternate Pathway to Graduation
Louisiana
Alternative/Alternate Pathway to a High School Diploma
Mississippi
Alternate Diploma
Nevada
Alternative Diploma
New Hampshire
no information
Tennessee
Alternate Academic Diploma (AAD)
Utah
West Virginia

5. ESSA Language on State-Defined Alternate Diplomas
Definition of “state-defined alternate diploma” included in Sec Definitions
Specifically designated for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities assessed using the alternate assessment aligned to alternate academic achievement standards

6. ESSA Language, cont.
The state-defined alternate diploma must meet three requirements:
Standards-based
Aligned with the State requirements for the regular high school diploma
Obtained within the same period for which the State ensures the availability of a free appropriate public education under section 612(a)(1) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(1)

7. ESSA Language, cont.
PLUS, the state-defined alternate diploma must meet the implied condition of being state defined!

8. Implementation Timelines
State
Graduating Class
Arkansas
2020
Louisiana
2018
Mississippi
2022
Nevada
New Hampshire
no info
Tennessee
2019
Utah
West Virginia
2021

9. Exit Exam Requirements
State
Alternate Diploma
Regular Diploma
Louisiana
Alternate Assessment
EOC
Mississippi
EOC (Alternate)
Nevada

10. Pathways to a Louisiana High School Diploma Students with Disabilities
Jamie Wong

11. Graduation Pathways for High School Students
There are two primary graduation pathways that students in Louisiana can choose to follow.
TOPS University Diploma
Jump Start Career Diploma
Courses:
English = 4 Units
Math = 4 Units
Science = 4 Units
Social Studies = 4 Units
Health/Physical Education = 2 Units
Foreign Language = 2 Units
Arts = 1 Unit
Electives = 3 Units
Science = 2 Units
Social Studies = 2 Units
Health/ Physical Education = 2 Units
Jump Start Career Education = 9 Units
*Earn an industry-based credential
Students earning a diploma through this pathway have the necessary requirements for admission to a 4 year college or university.
Students earning a diploma through this pathway have skills to directly enter the workforce or apply to a community or technical college.

12. Pathways for Students who take the Alternate Assessment
Students who meet the alternate assessment participation criteria require extensive modification to their curriculum and their assessment is aligned with the Louisiana Connectors for students with significant cognitive disabilities. During the school year Louisiana developed an aligned pathway to a Louisiana high school diploma for students with significant cognitive disabilities to ensure that every student who entered a Louisiana high school had an opportunity to pursue a diploma.

13. Pathways for Students who take the Alternate Assessment
Students who take the alternate assessment can earn a Louisiana high school diploma through the Jump Start pathway by meeting an aligned set of expectations that are tailored to their unique needs.
Jump Start Career Diploma
Courses (applied or Carnegie courses):
English = 4 Credits
Math = 4 Credits
Science = 2 Credits
Social Studies = 2 Credits
Electives = 2-4 Credits
Career Preparation = 7-9 Credits
A student who takes the alternate assessment may be awarded a diploma when they have met all pathway requirements including evidence that there is a plan for the student to successfully transition away from services provided by the school system. The diploma awarded will look identical to a regular high school diploma and the student’s transcript will identify whether the student took Carnegie unit courses or applied credit courses.
Assessments:
LEAP 2025
while not required, assessments are taken if the student is enrolled in the course
ACT (not required)

14. Accountability Impact
The Every Student Succeeds Act established an alternate diploma option which provided Louisiana an opportunity to revise the accountability system and reward the accomplishments of students with significant disabilities who successfully complete their course of study.
From Louisiana Policy Bulletin 111 Louisiana School, District, and State Accountability System:
“Students assessed using the LAA 1 or LEAP connect shall be included in the graduation rate for the year in which they graduated or the year in which they exited after at least four years in high school with no subsequent re-enrollment by October 1 of the following academic year. Students who are not exited will be counted in the year that they reach the age of 22.”

15. California
Kristin Wright

16. Discussion Questions
What are the advantages and challenges of developing a state-defined alternate diploma for students who participate in alternate assessments?
What are the instructional implications, if any, of developing a state- defined alternate diploma?

17. 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
OSEP Disclaimer
2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this presentation were developed by the presenters for the 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474)