Table 5.8. Alternative paths to graduation for students with disabilities, by state: 2007

Compiles and disseminates data on state education practice activities

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State	Number of alternative paths to graduation ¹	Alternative diploma/certificate ²	Alternative assessment ³	Waiver ⁴	Exemption ⁵
United States ¹	37	14	13	5	5

Alabama	2	Yes	No	Yes	No
Alaska	1	No	Yes	No	No
Arizona	1	No	No	No	Yes
Arkansas	†	†	†	†	†
California	3	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

Colorado	†	†	†	†	†
Connecticut	†	†	†	†	†
Delaware	†	†	†	†	†
District of Columbia	†	†	†	†	†
Florida	1	No	No	Yes	No

Georgia	2	Yes	No	Yes	No
Hawaii	†	†	†	†	†
Idaho	1	No	Yes	No	No
Illinois	†	†	†	†	†
Indiana	1	No	No	Yes	No

Iowa	†	†	†	†	†
Kansas	†	†	†	†	†
Kentucky	†	†	†	†	†
Louisiana	1	Yes	No	No	No
Maine	†	†	†	†	†

Maryland	1	Yes	No	No	No
Massachusetts	2	Yes	Yes	No	No
Michigan	†	†	†	†	†
Minnesota	1	No	Yes	No	No
Mississippi	2	Yes	Yes	No	No

Missouri	†	†	†	†	†
Montana	†	†	†	†	†
Nebraska	†	†	†	†	†
Nevada	1	Yes	No	No	No
New Hampshire	†	†	†	†	†

New Jersey	2	No	Yes	No	Yes
New Mexico	2	Yes	Yes	No	No
New York	2	Yes	Yes	No	No
North Carolina	1	Yes	No	No	No
North Dakota	†	†	†	†	†

Ohio	2	No	Yes	No	Yes
Oklahoma	2	No	Yes	No	Yes
Oregon	†	†	†	†	†
Pennsylvania	†	†	†	†	†
Rhode Island	†	†	†	†	†

South Carolina	2	Yes	Yes	No	No
South Dakota	†	†	†	†	†
Tennessee	1	Yes	No	No	No
Texas	1	No	Yes	No	No
Utah	†	†	†	†	†

Vermont	†	†	†	†	†
Virginia	1	Yes	No	No	No
Washington	1	No	Yes	No	No
West Virginia	†	†	†	†	†
Wisconsin	†	†	†	†	†
Wyoming	†	†	†	†	†
† Not applicable. State does not require students to pass an exam to receive a high school diploma. ¹ National total reflects the number of "Yes" responses for each column, with the exception of the column "Number of alternative paths to graduation"; for this column, the national total reflects the number of states with alternative paths to graduation. ² Alternative diplomas or certificates are awarded to students with disabilities who do not pass the exit exam, who take alternative assessments, or use nonstandard accommodations. For example, students in Virginia who do not meet the requirements for a standard or advanced diploma may qualify for a "modified standard diploma" if they meet the state requirements for course credits and state benchmarks for numeracy and literacy. ³ Alternative assessment is defined as an assessment that is aligned to state standards and has been created by the state specifically as an alternative to the exit exam for certain students. For example, students with disabilities in New Mexico can participate in the Career Readiness Program of Study, whereby students take the standard New Mexico exit exam and meet a competency level determined by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team. ⁴ States vary in their conditions for granting a waiver and usually involve the student demonstrating proficiency in other ways. For example, students with disabilities in Indiana must submit a written recommendation from key teachers that has the support of the principal, along with documentation of the student’s acquired knowledge. Indiana also requires the student to maintain a C average, maintain a 95% attendance rate, complete remediation opportunities as specified by the student's IEP, and retake the exam in each failed subject as often as required by the student's IEP. ⁵ Exemptions vary by state, and do not imply the student will receive a regular diploma. For example, students in New Jersey designated "IEP-exempt" must take the exit exam at least once, but their scores will not affect their graduation status. They can still earn a regular diploma if they fulfill all other requirements for graduation. SOURCE: State High School Exit Exams: Students with Disabilities, Center on Education Policy, 2008. Data Source

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