5460A - WAIVER OPTIONS FOR THE GRADUATION EXAMINATION OR POSTSECONDARY READINESS COMPETENCIES FOR THE GRADUATION PATHWAYS

Students in Graduating Class of 2023 and Beyond

Students in the graduating class of 2023 and beyond are required to demonstrate postsecondary readiness through completion of the Graduation Pathways. (See policy 5460 and administrative guideline 5460.) The Graduation Pathways requirement takes the place of the Graduation Examination, which was required for graduating classes from 2002 through 2022.

If a student is unsuccessful in completing a postsecondary readiness competency requirement by the end of the student's senior year, including a student who was in the process of completing a competency at one school that was not offered by the school to which the student transferred, and the student attempted to achieve at least three separate postsecondary readiness competencies, the student may seek a waiver of the requirement.

Also, if a student transfers to a school in the Corporation during the senior year from a non-accredited non-public school or an out-of-state school and the student attempted to achieve at least one postsecondary readiness competency but was unsuccessful, the student is eligible to seek a waiver.

In order to receive a waiver, the student must:

1. maintain at least a "C" average, or its equivalent, throughout the student's high school career in courses comprising credits required to graduate (courses required are listed in the administrative guideline 5460 under the designation of "General" diploma);
2. maintain a school attendance rate of at least 95% with excused absences not counting against the student's attendance;
3. satisfy all other state and local graduation requirements beyond the postsecondary readiness competency requirement;
4. demonstrate postsecondary planning which is approved by the principal, including college acceptance, acceptance in an occupational training program, workforce entry, or military enlistment.

Students with Disabilities

A student with a disability (as defined in I. C. 20-35-1-8) not achieving a passing score on the graduation examination or failing to meet a postsecondary readiness competency requirement may have the student's Case Conference Committee (CCC) determine if the student is eligible to graduate. The CCC must find the following:

1. the student's teacher of record, in consultation with a teacher of the student in each subject area in which the student did not achieve a passing score on the graduation examination (before July 1, 2022) or has not successfully completed a postsecondary readiness competency, makes a written recommendation to the CCC. The recommendation must be aligned with the School Board's relevant policy; agreed upon by the principal of the student's school; and supported by documentation that the student has attained the academic standard in the subject area based on:
    
   1. tests or competencies other than the graduation examination (before July 1, 2022) or postsecondary readiness competencies established by the State Board of Education or
   2. classroom work.
2. the student meets all of the following requirements:
    
   1. completes remediation opportunities provided to the student by the student's school to the extent required by the student's IEP.
   2. maintains a school attendance rate of 95% or better over the course of the high school experience to the extent required by the student's IEP. Excused absences do not count against the student's attendance rate.
   3. maintains a grade point average of "C" or better in the courses required for graduation (courses required are listed in administrative guideline 5460 under the designation of "General" Indiana diploma).
   4. satisfies all State and local graduation requirements. (Note: According to I.C. 20-26-5-37, a school corporation may not require a student with disabilities to complete locally required credits that exceed state credit requirements to receive a diploma unless otherwise required as a part of the student's IEP)

Students in Graduating Classes before 2023

Students in graduating classes prior to 2023 who fail to achieve a passing score on the graduation examination may opt to satisfy the Graduation Pathways to complete their graduation requirements.

A student who has not received a passing score on the graduation examination and does not choose to meet the Graduation Pathways Requirements may be eligible to graduate through either the Evidence-Based Waiver or the Work Readiness Waiver. To obtain either waiver, the student must:

1. take the graduation examination in the subject area or subject areas in which the student did not achieve a passing score at least one (1) time every school year after the school year in which the student first takes the examination. The student may take the examination once every semester beginning with the school year after in which the student first takes the examination. However, the student is not required to take the graduation examination in each subject area in which the student did not achieve a passing score during the 2020-2021 school year if the student could not take the graduation examination due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

2. complete remediation opportunities provided by the school.

3. maintain a minimum attendance rate of ninety-five percent (95%), with excused absences not counting against the student's attendance.

4. maintain a "C" average in the courses comprising the credits specifically required for graduation.

5. satisfy local graduation requirements.

To complete the Evidence-Based waiver, in addition to the five (5) requirements listed above, the student must obtain a written recommendation from a teacher of the student in the subject area(s) in which the student failed to achieve a passing score on the graduation examination. The recommendation must provide documentation that the academic standards have been met, either through other tests or classroom work, be aligned with the Board's relevant policy, and be agreed upon by the principal of the student's school.

To complete the Work Readiness Waiver, in addition to the five (5) requirements listed above, the student must complete all of the following:

1. meet the course and credit requirements for an Indiana General Diploma, including the career academic sequence;
2. complete a workforce readiness assessment; and
3. complete at least one industry certification from the State Board of Education's approved industry certification list.

Revised 7/10/12
Revised 1/12/16
Revised 1/10/17

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