511 IAC 6-7.1-10 - Alternate diploma for students with significant cognitive disabilities

Authority: IC 20-19-2-8; IC 20-30-10; IC 20-32-4-14

Affected: IC 20-32

Sec. 10.

(a) The definitions in 511 IAC 7-32 apply throughout this section.

(b) This section applies only to a student with a significant cognitive disability for whom a case conference committee has determined that the alternate diploma is appropriate, as indicated in the student's individualized education program, and that has taken the alternate assessment.

(c) To earn an alternate diploma, a student to whom this section applies must complete the following:

(1) A minimum of forty (40) high school credits, applied units, or a combination of high school credits and applied units.

(2) At least one (1) of the following activities aligned with the student's transition goals:

(A) Complete an industry-recognized certification, one (1) year certificate, or state approved alternative.

(B) Complete a project based or work based learning experience as determined by the CCC.

(C) Earn a work ethic certificate.

(D) Participate in part-time employment or other work related activities as determined by the CCC.

(3) Beginning with the cohort of students who expect to graduate during the 2022-2023 school year, develop a transition portfolio that demonstrates the work experience, credentials, or work certificates the student completed during high school.

(d) Thirty-three (33) of the credits or applied units a student must complete shall be earned in the courses of study specified in subsection (e), and seven (7) of the credits or applied units a student must complete shall be earned from elective courses in these and other approved areas of study.

(e) The thirty-three (33) required credits or applied units consist of the following:

(1) English/language arts	8 credits/applied units
(2) Social studies	4 credits/applied units
(3) Mathematics	4 credits/applied units
(4) Science	4 credits/applied units
(5) Health and wellness	1 credit/applied unit
(6) Physical education I and II, adapted as necessary	2 credits/applied units
(7) Employability	10 credits/applied units

(f) Courses that may be counted toward the required credits and applied units set forth in subsection (d) are subject to the following provisions:

(1) English/language arts credits and applied units must include a balance of the following:

(A) Literature.

(B) Composition.

(C) Vocabulary.

(D) Speech or communication, or both.

(2) Social studies credits and applied units must include a balance of the following:

(A) U.S. history.

(B) U.S. government.

(C) Geography.

(D) Economics.

(3) The mathematics requirement is subject to the following:

(A) Mathematics credits and applied units must include a balance of the following:

(i) Number sense.

(ii) Expressions.

(iii) Computation.

(iv) Data analysis.

(v) Statistics.

(vi) Probability.

(vii) Equations and inequalities.

(viii) Personal finance.

(B) A student is required to take a mathematics or applied mathematics course each year the student is enrolled in high school.

(4) Science credits and applied units must include a balance of the following:

(A) Physical science.

(B) Earth science.

(C) Life science.

(D) Engineering and technology.

(5) Employability credits and applied units must include a balance of the following:

(A) Job exploration.

(B) Work based or project based learning experiences.

(C) Employability skills related to the following:

(i) Mindsets.

(ii) Self-management.

(iii) Learning strategies.

(iv) Social skills.

(v) Workplace skills.

(D) An introduction to postsecondary options, including an investigation into opportunities for enrollment in the following:

(i) Postsecondary programs.

(ii) Workplace readiness training programs meant to develop employability and independent living skills.

(iii) Instructional programs designed to teach self-advocacy.

(g) A student may satisfy the requirement set forth in subsection (c)(1) through enrollment in any combination of the following:

(1) General education courses for credit.

(2) Modified general education courses in which noncredit applied units are earned.

(3) Special education courses in which noncredit applied units are earned.

Notes

511 IAC 6-7.1-10

Indiana State Board of Education; 511 IAC 6-7.1-10; filed 3/6/2023, 8:46 a.m.: 20230405-IR-511220325FRA