ESE

OCPS Exceptional Education

Accommodations and Modifications

Traditional 24-Credit Standard Diploma

Students must earn a minimum of 24 credits (15.5 in required courses), have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and achieve passing scores on the grade 10 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Students who do not pass the FCAT must receive intensive remediation and may retake the test.

In 2003, the Florida Legislature passed a law regarding general requirements for high school graduation that allows students with disabilities who have an IEP to have the FCAT requirement waived under specific circumstances. The student must be a senior who is enrolled in high school seeking a standard diploma and has taken the FCAT at least twice with allowable accommodations. The student must have participated in intensive remediation if passing scores were not earned on the FCAT. To help evaluate the effectiveness of the remediation and ensure that each student has had every opportunity to pass the FCAT, the student must participate in the March administration of the FCAT during his or her senior year. The student must have demonstrated mastery of the grade 10 Sunshine State Standards. The student must be progressing toward meeting the 24 credit and 2.0 grade point average (GPA) requirement and any other district graduation requirements. The IEP team may then determine that the FCAT is not an accurate measure of the student's ability and that the passing score of one or both parts of the FCAT may be waived.

Students with disabilities are also eligible for a special exemption from the FCAT graduation requirement under Rule 6A-6.09431, FAC, under extraordinary circumstances that create a situation where the results of administration of the graduation test would reflect a student's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills rather than the student's achievement. Such an exemption requires approval from the Commissioner of Education.

Certificate of Completion-College Placement Test Eligible

This certificate is available to students who pass all required coursework for a traditional 24-credit standard diploma, have a 2.0 GPA but did not pass the grade 10 FCAT, and are notified by the district of the consequences of the failure to receive a standard high school diploma. Such students must be allowed to take the College Placement Test and be admitted to remedial or credit courses at a state community college, as appropriate. Students will not be eligible to enroll directly in the state universities without the standard high school diploma or its equivalent.

Certificate of Completion

The regular certificate of completion is available to students who have not met all credit or GPA requirements and did not make a passing score on the FCAT. The regular certificate of completion is not accepted as a credential for admission to community college credit programs (A.A., A.A.S., and A.S. degree programs), state universities, or applied technology diploma programs. However, students with a regular certificate of completion may be eligible for admission to post-secondary career certificate programs offered at community colleges.

Special Diploma, 2 Options

Students with disabilities may elect to work toward a special diploma, unless they are solely identified as visually impaired or speech impaired.

Option 1

For special diploma, option 1, students must earn the number of course credits specified by the local school board by taking exceptional student education (ESE) classes and/or basic education (regular academic) or career education classes. Students must also master the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma at the level specified by their IEP.

Option 2

Requirements for special diploma, option 2 are based on mastery of a set of competencies developed for each individual student related to employment and community living. These competencies are specified in the student's graduation training plan. The state also requires a student to be successfully employed at or above minimum wage for at least one semester.

Special Certificate of Completion

A special certificate of completion is available to students with disabilities who are unable to meet all of the graduation requirements for a special diploma. It certifies that the student passed the required ESE courses in high school but failed to master the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma.

Students with disabilities who have not earned a standard diploma may stay in school until they are 22 years old. This also applies to students with disabilities who have been awarded a special diploma, certificate of completion, or special certificate of completion before they turned 22. The district must continue to offer services until the student is 22 years old or until the student earns a standard diploma, whichever comes first.

Support for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities must be provided with the support and services they need to fully participate in career education and adult general education programs. Individuals with disabilities frequently require only small changes in the way their work is accomplished to be successful in their instruction or training program. Accommodations can "level the playing field" and remove barriers to successful adult living and employment. Modifications in program outcomes may enable a student with a disability to reach his or her full potential.

 
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION
TITLE CREDIT GRADE PREREQUISITES DESCRIPTION
Adaptive Physical Ed 1 12-Sep None Required Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in leisure and recreation skills to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and participate effectively at home and in the community.
Applied English I 1 9 Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in knowledge in skills of English to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effective in post-school adult living and the world of work.
Applied English II 1 10 Special Diploma candidates who have successfully completed Applied English I with a 2.0 or higher Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in knowledge in skills of English to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effective in post-school adult living and the world of work.
Applied English III 1 12-Nov Special Diploma candidates who have successfully completed Applied English I and II with a 2.0 or higher Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in knowledge in skills of English to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effective in post-school adult living and the world of work.
Applied Math I 1 9 Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in math concepts and procedures to enable students with disabilities who are functioning at independent levels to prepare to participate effectively in post-school adult living and in the world of work. Skills include, numeration, measurement, money, time, computational skills, applications in personal life, and applications in the workplace.
Applied Math II 1 12-Oct Special Diploma candidates who have successfully completed Applied Math 1 with a 2.0 or better. Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in math concepts and procedures to enable students with disabilities who are functioning at independent levels to prepare to participate effectively in post-school adult living and in the world of work. Skills include, number systems, number operations, and computation, measurement concepts, geometric concepts, and algebraic concepts.
Applied Reading 1 Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Provides instruction in fundamental reading concepts and skills including word attack, comprehension, vocabulary, reading in workplace and leisure reading.
Applied Science I 1 9 Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide a general knowledge of the concepts of life science, physical science, and earth science to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effectively in post-schools adult living and the world of work.
Applied Science II 1 12-Oct Special Diploma candidates who have successfully completed Applied Science I with a 2.0 or higher Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide a general knowledge of the concepts of life science, physical science, and earth science to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effectively in post-schools adult living and the world of work.
Applied Social Studies I 1 9 Special Diploma candidates with active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of history, geography, economics, and government to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effectively in post-school adult living and the world of work.
Applied Social Studies II 1 12-Oct Special Diploma candidates who have successfully completed Social Studies I with a 2.0 or higher Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of history, geography, economics, and government to enable students with disabilities to function at their highest levels and prepare to participate effectively in post-school adult living and the world of work.
Art 2D 0.5 12-Sep None Survey of art techniques and use of a variety of art mediums.
Basic Academic Skills 1 12-Sep Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in academic concepts and skills to enable students who are functioning at supported levels to participate effectively in the community. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of academic skills as they relate to daily living tasks of personal life and the workplace.
Basic Communication Skills 1 12-Sep Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this couse is to provide instruction in expressive and receptive communication concepts and skills to enable students who are functioning at supported levels to participate effectively in the community.
Basic Daily Living Skills 1 12-Sep Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in personal and home skills to enable students functioning at supported levels to participate effectively at home and in the community. Skills include personal care, hygiene and grooming, and household tasks.
Basic Reading Skills 1 12-Sep Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in fundamental reading concepts and skills including word attack, comprehension, vocabulary, reading in the workplace, and leisure reading to enable students who are functioning at supported levels to participate effectively in the community.
Career Education 1 12-Oct Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP who are interested in participating in On or Off-campus work experience. Students must have completed Employability Skills prior to this course. Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of preparations necessary for entering the world of work. Skills may include an emphases on job opportunities, social skills necessary for success, and personal interests.
Disney Bridges 3 12-Nov Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP who have successfully completed Employability Skills. Students must be at least 16 years of age Major Concepts/Content. The Disney Internship program provides students with disabilities an opportunity to work at Disney World, with a mentor, in a paid position not normally available to high school students. Students attend CCHS for three periods each morning, and are then transported to Disney to work for five hours each afternoon in entry-level positions. Three hours of credit can e earned. Further criteria is listed under Specialized Programs and Academies.
Employability Skills 0.5 12-Oct Special Diploma Candidates with an active IEP who are interested in participating in On or Off-campus work experience. Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide students with disabilities knowledge about careers and skills necessary to identify career options; access community resources, and develop work related behaviors.
Gifted Studies Multiple 12-Sep Staffed as being gifted and an active IEP stating the need Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide appropriately individualized curricula for students who are gifted. Skills may include higher order thinking skills, application of acquired knowledge, high-level communication, leadership, and self-awareness.
Learning Strategies I 1 9 Regular Diploma students with an active IEP indicating the need. This course is taken over a period of 2 semesters for a total of 1.0 credit. Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction that enables students with disabilities to acquire and use strategies and skills to enhance their independence as learners in educational and community settings..
Learning Strategies II 1 10 Regular Diploma students with an active IEP indicating the need. This course is taken over a period of 2 semesters for a total of 1.0 credit. Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction that enables students with disabilities to acquire and use strategies and skills to enhance their independence as learners in educational and community settings..
Learning Strategies III 1 12-Nov Regular Diploma students with an active IEP indicating the need. This course is taken over a period of 2 semesters for a total of 1.0 credit. Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction that enables students with disabilities to acquire and use strategies and skills to enhance their independence as learners in educational and community settings..
On-Campus Community Based Vocational Education 1 12-Oct Special Diploma Candidates with an active IEP who have successfully completed Employability Skills and/or Career Ed. Major Concepts/Content. Students will learn employability skills while working various job opportunities on campus.
Off-Campus Community Based Vocational Education Multiple 12-Nov Special Diploma Candidates with an active IEP who have successfully completed Employability Skills and/or Career Ed. Major Concepts/Content. Students will learn employability skills at specific training sites through actual work experience off campus. Some of the sites may include Target, Wal-Mart, and SeaWorld.
Principals of Clothing 0.5 12-Sep None Required Major Concepts/Content. This course is designed to prepare the student to identify the characteristics of fibers, fabrics, and textiles, to interpret consumer protection laws related to clothing and textiles, and to construct garments.
Sea World Multiple 12-Nov Special Diploma candidates with an active IEP who have successfully completed Employability Skills. Students must be at least 16 years of age Major Concepts/Content. Students will learn employability skills through actual work experience off-campus at Sea World. Sea World provides students with disabilities an opportunity to work at Sea World, with a mentor, in a non-paid position in order to gain work experience. Students attend CCHS for three periods, and are then transported to Sea World where they work for 3 hours. Three hours of credit can be earned.
Social Personal Skills 0.5 12-Sep Special or Standard Diploma Candidates with an active IEP. (Standard Diploma students' with an active IEP indicating the need.) Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction related to environmental, interpersonal, and task-related behavior of students with disabilities. Some of the skills may include classroom behavior, conflilct resolution, responsibility, and problem solving.