A National Study on Graduation Requirements and Diploma Options for Youth with Disabilities (Technical Report 36)

The researchers of this study administered a survey to state directors of special education or other appropriate representatives from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in an effort to collect data on the variation in state graduation requirements and diploma options for students with and without disabilities, the intended and unintended consequences of exit exams as a requirement for receiving a diploma, and such consequences of using single or multiple diploma options for students with disabilities. They found a wide range of graduation policies across states and local education agencies, and noted that they are ever-changing even within states and districts. In addition, there is also variance in the diploma options being made available to students with and without disabilities as well as an increased trend toward "high-stakes" exit exams as a graduation requirement.