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Modified Diploma

Modified Diploma Information and Considerations
A Modified Diploma is a high school completion document that may be earned by students who have demonstrated an inability to meet the full set of academic content standards required for an Oregon Diploma, even with reasonable accommodations. To be eligible for a Modified Diploma, a student must:

  • Have a documented history (as evidenced in the cumulative record over time) of an inability to maintain grade-level achievement due to significant learning and instructional barriers (physical, cognitive, or emotional), or;
  • A documented history of a medical condition that creates a barrier to achievement

Credits toward graduation (24 total) may be earned through modified courses, regular educational courses, or a combination of the two.

Considerations for Teams, Adult Students, Parents, and Guardians

Program Expectations and Grading:

  • Students are expected to pursue a rigorous education plan as part of the Modified Diploma requirement.

Decision:

  • A student’s school team shall decide that a student should work toward a modified diploma no earlier than the end of the 6th grade and no later than 2 years before the student’s anticipated exit from high school.
  • If an IEP team is considering a Modified Diploma option less than two years from the anticipated graduation date, the IEP team must review the recommendation with a Special Education Facilitator at least a week prior to conducting the IEP meeting to make the diploma change.
  • Students working toward a Modified Diploma CAN change their minds and pursue a standard Oregon Diploma. However, courses required for graduation that appear on a transcript with modified grades will not be counted toward graduation credit requirements for the Oregon Diploma.

Graduation:

  • Students receiving a Modified Diploma may participate in all graduation activities.
  • Students must demonstrate essential content skills by passing a state or other standardized assessment, or demonstrate skills through the classroom work samples. The IEP team determines how the assessments will be modified.
  • Students receiving special education services who earn a Modified Diploma may continue to receive services through the age of 21. Students in general education who wish to pursue a standard Oregon Diploma may continue to attend high school through the age of 19. Students receiving special education services may continue to attend high school and/or receive transition service support through the age of 21.

Post-Graduation:

  • Students with a Modified Diploma are not generally eligible to attend a four-year university immediately upon graduation. Community college may be the appropriate alternative, but admission testing may be required. Some branches of the military may not be available to recipients of Modified Diplomas.

Graduation Requirements: