(a)Graduation with a regular high school diploma under subsection (b) or (d) of this section terminates a student's eligibility for special education services under this subchapter and Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 United States Code, §§1400 [§§14.01] et seq. In addition, as provided in Texas Education Code (TEC), §42.003(a), graduation with a regular high school diploma under subsection (b) or (d) of this section terminates a student's entitlement to the benefits of the Foundation School Program. (b)A student receiving special education services may graduate and be awarded a high school diploma [only] if: (1)the student has satisfactorily completed the state's or district's (whichever is greater) minimum curriculum and [academic] credit requirements for graduation applicable to students in general education, including satisfactory performance on the exit level assessment instrument; or (2)the [The] student has satisfactorily completed the state's or district's (whichever is greater) minimum curriculum and [academic] credit requirements for graduation applicable to students in general education and has been exempted from the exit-level assessment instrument under TEC, §39.027(a)(2)(B). [because modifications and accommodations provided during instruction would render the result of the assessment invalid.] (c)A student receiving special education services may also graduate and receive a regular high school diploma when the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee has determined that the student has successfully completed: (1)the student's individualized education program (IEP) and met one of the following conditions: (A)full-time employment, based on the student's abilities and local employment opportunities, in addition to sufficient self-help skills to enable the student to maintain the employment without direct and ongoing educational support of the local school district; (B)demonstrated mastery of specific employability skills and self-help skills which do not require direct ongoing educational support of the local school district; or (C)access to services which are not within the legal responsibility of public education, or employment or educational options for which the student has been prepared by the academic program; (2)the state's or district's (whichever is greater) minimum credit requirements for students without disabilities; and (3)the state's or district's minimum curriculum requirements to the extent possible with modifications/substitutions only when it is determined necessary by the ARD committee for the student to receive an appropriate education. [(c)A student receiving special education services may also graduate and receive a regular high school diploma when the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee has determined that the student has successfully completed the student's individualized education program (IEP), including the district's minimum credit requirements for students without disabilities. Successful completion of an IEP occurs when one of the following conditions has been met:] [(1)full-time employment, based on the student's abilities and local employment opportunities, in addition to sufficient self-help skills to enable the student to maintain the employment without direct and ongoing educational support of the local school district;] [(2)demonstrated mastery of specific employability skills and self-help skills which do not require direct ongoing educational support of the local school district; or] [(3)access to services which are not within the legal responsibility of public education, or employment or educational options for which the student has been prepared by the academic program.] (d)A student receiving special education services may also graduate and receive a regular high school diploma upon the ARD committee determining that the student no longer meets age eligibility requirements and has completed the requirements specified in the IEP. (e)When considering graduation under subsection (c) of this section, the ARD committee shall conduct an evaluation prior to graduation as required by 34 CFR, §300.534(c), and, when appropriate, seek in writing and consider written recommendations from appropriate adult service agencies and the views of the parent and, when appropriate, the student. (f)Students who are allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies but who are not graduating under subsection (c) of this section and who will remain in school to complete their education do not have to be evaluated in accordance with subsection (e) of this section. (g)[(f)] Employability and self-help skills referenced under subsection (c) of this section are those skills directly related to the preparation of students for employment, including general skills necessary to obtain or retain employment. (h)[(g)] Students with disabilities who are eligible to take the exit level assessment instrument but have not performed satisfactorily are eligible for instruction in accordance with the TEC, §39.024. (i)[(h)] For students who receive a diploma according to subsection (c) of this section, the ARD committee shall determine needed educational services upon the request of the student or parent to resume services, as long as the student meets the age eligibility requirements.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed
with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 10, 2001
TRD-200107702 Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez
Manager, Policy Planning
Texas Education Agency
Earliest possible date of adoption: January 20, 2002
For further information, please call: (512) 463-9701
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