Students who are instructed in the Connections classrooms have been determined eligible through the IEP process to be instructed with the alternate achievement standards: Core Content Connectors for English/language arts and mathematics and the Essential Elements for Science. The determination for eligibility includes mandatory completion of Appendix A found in the Guidance for IEP Teams: Participation Decisions for the Alternate Assessments and Instruction Using Alternate Standards. Additionally, IEP teams must have parental consent for their child’s participation in the alternate assessments and/or instruction using the alternate achievement standards (signed consent form). Students will not meet the requirements for a Maryland diploma if they participate in the alternate education framework through high school. In that case, they would exit school with a Certificate of Program Completion.