In addition to all graduation options afforded general education students, students with disabilities may earn the following diplomas or credentials:

Safety Net Options

These options allow a student to graduate with a local diploma:

1.    Low-pass:  students must achieve a score of 55 or higher on five required Regents exams.

2.    Low-pass with appeal:  available to students who score 52-54 on a Regents exam, successfully appeal that score, and meet all appeal conditions.

3.   Compensatory:  except for scores on ELA and math exams, students may use one Regents exam score of 65 or above to compensate for a Regents exam score of 45-54. Students must score at least 55 (or successfully appeal a score of 52-54) on both the ELA and a math exam.

4.    Superintendent's determination:  students who are unable to demonstrate their proficiency on standard state assessments because of one or more disabilities may be able to graduate upon Superintendent review and written certification of their eligibility. Students must score 55 or higher on the ELA and one math Regents exam (or successfully appeal a score between 52-54). They must also participate in at least one social studies Regents exam, one science Regents exam, and either one Pathway exam (or meet the Career Development and Occupational Studies commencement credential requirements) or the low pass, compensatory, or low pass with appeal safety net options. The Superintendent will make a determination after receiving a written request from an eligible student's parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will submit this request to the student's principal, Committee on Special Education chairperson, or any other applicable employee, who will immediately forward it to the Superintendent.

Other eligibility criteria, such as attendance and completing course credits, apply to these options.

Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credentials

Any student who is not assessed using the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) may earn the CDOS commencement credential as a supplement to a Regents or local diploma, or as his or her only exiting credential if the student attended school for at least 12 years, excluding kindergarten.

 The student must meet criteria specified by the State Education Department (SED) confirming that he or she has attained the standards-based knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment.

The student must either:

1)    Develop a career plan, demonstrate that he or she attained commencement-level CDOS learning standards in the areas of career exploration and development, integrated learning, and universal foundation skills, complete the required Career and Technical Education coursework and work-based learning, and have at least one completed employability profile; or

 2)   Receive a satisfactory passing score on any work-readiness assessment approved by the Commissioner.

This credential will be similar in form to a diploma, will be endorsed by the Board of Regents, and will certify the student's readiness for entry-level employment.

 Skills and Achievement (SA) Commencement Credential

 Students with severe disabilities who are assessed using the NYSAA may earn the SA commencement credential. They must attend school for at least 12 years, excluding kindergarten. The District must document the student's skills, strengths, and levels of independence in academic, career development, and foundation skills needed for post-secondary life.

This credential will be similar in form to a diploma and will state that it is based on alternate academic achievement standards.

Continuing Attendance Eligibility

If a student earns the CDOS or SA commencement credential without a Regents or local diploma, the credential will be accompanied by a written statement of assurance confirming his or her eligibility to continue attending school in the District, without paying tuition, until the student earns a diploma or turns 21, whichever occurs first.

Education Law Sections 3202 and 4402(5)
8 NYCRR Sections 100.5(a-f) and 100.9