Selecting the Highest, Most Appropriate Alabama High School
Diploma Pathway
*Under the IDEA, FAPE is defined as an educational program that is individualized to a specific child, that meets that child's unique needs, provides access to the
general curriculum, meets the grade-level standards established by the state, and from which the child receives educational benefit.
*Deferred graduation means a student with a disability who has not earned an Alabama High School Diploma through the general education pathway may participate in
the graduation activities and ceremony and then continue to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) until age 21.
January 2019
Student Name: _______________________ School Year: ____________ Grade ________________
This form is to be completed at the end of the eighth-grade school year, and reviewed annually, along with the
student’s four-year plan, updated transcript, and current transition information.
Please check as all pathways
are discussed.
___The IEP Team has considered the courses required for graduation on the General Education pathway with access to
Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Postsecondary Equivalent Courses leading to the *Alabama
High School Diploma. The credits earned through the Alabama Courses of Study are designed to prepare students to be
college and/or career ready.
*A “regular high school diploma” means the standard high school diploma awarded to the preponderance of students in the State that is fully aligned
with State standards, or a higher diploma, except that a regular high school diploma shall not be aligned to the alternate academic achievement
standards described in section 1111(b)(1)(E);
____The IEP Team has considered the courses required for graduation on the Essentials pathway. This pathway is limited
to a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). A student with an IEP who takes four or more Essentials core
classes must complete all requirements of the pathway including the work component. This pathway is designed to allow
a student to participate in career/competitive employment. Since the content of the Essentials courses is not fully aligned
to the Alabama Courses of Study, this diploma will be accepted by most state community colleges, but may not be accepted
by most four-year institutions, and will not be accepted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for
eligibility purposes.
____The IEP Team has considered the courses required for graduation on the Alternate Achievement Standards pathway
for a student with the most significant cognitive disability. Since the content of the AAS courses is not fully aligned to the
Alabama Courses of Study, this diploma will prepare a student for supported/competitive employment and postsecondary
education for a student with an intellectual disability. (See information on the Alabama Postsecondary Alliance for
Intellectual Disabilities - APAID).
Based on the discussion from the IEP meeting, I understand and agree that:
• The course requirements and outcomes for each pathway leading to the Alabama High School Diploma have been
explained and discussed by the IEP Team. A credit earning checklist for the student’s appropriate pathway has been
completed (starting in grade 10).
• The IEP Team has considered all pathways, and aligned the student’s postsecondary goals with the appropriate
courses of study to determine the appropriate pathway leading to the Alabama High School Diploma.
• A student with a disability who has not earned the Alabama High School Diploma by completing the
requirements of the General Education pathway is entitled to a *Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) until
the age of 21. A student with a disability whose graduation will be *deferred may participate in the graduation
activities and ceremony with their non-disabled peers.
The student will follow the _________________________ pathway as of this date.
______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________
Parent’s Signature Date
______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________
Student’s Signature Date
______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________
Case Manager’s Signature Date
______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________
Counselor’s Signature Date
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