Graduation Requirements

Regular High School Diploma

High school students must complete 22 credits to graduate. They also will be tested in core subject areas with End of Course exams, part of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, or TCAP. Their performance on these exams will factor into their semester grade for the course.

Alternate Academic Diploma

On January 26, 2018, the State Board of Education approved the addition of the alternate academic diploma within High School Policy 2.103. This new diploma will count toward the district graduation rate and will be implemented beginning in the 2018-19 school year. In order to earn the alternate academic diploma, (AAD), a student must:

  1. Participate in the alternate assessments;

  2. Earn the prescribed 22 credit minimum;

    1. To count toward the graduation rate this must occur within the four years plus one summer timeline

    2. Course requirements are outlined to support schools in the instructional expectations for the 22 credits and can be found here.

  3. Receive special education services or supports and make satisfactory progress on an IEP;

  4. Have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct; and

  5. Complete a transition assessment(s) that measures, at a minimum postsecondary readiness in the areas of postsecondary education and training; employment; independent living; and community involvement.

The AAD does not effect a student’s least restrictive environment but rather, provides guidance related to rigorous standards-based instruction. View the below webinars to learn more about the policy and implementation.

For more information, please contact Alison.Gauld@tn.gov or Blake.Shearer@tn.gov.

Occupational Diploma

The occupational diploma is one of the three diploma options available for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students that have an IEP first and foremost must be given the option of a general education diploma. The occupational diploma is one of the two options available for students with an IEP that are not on track to receive the general education diploma. The occupational diploma became effective January 11, 2015.

A team may select the occupational diploma as the goal no sooner than the end of the sophomore year or two years prior to the expected graduation date. Although there may be younger students presumed to be future occupational diploma graduates, it is critical that schools hold high expectations by working towards the general education diploma until the end of students’ second year of high school.

Students who earn an occupational diploma will count as non-graduates in your district’s graduation rate, as the occupational diploma does not count as a diploma for state and federal reporting and accountability purposes. However, it is believed that the occupational diploma will increase the number of students employed or in post-secondary school following graduation.

To earn an occupational diploma, a student must meet the criteria on the Skills, Knowledge, and Experience Mastery Assessment (SKEMA).

The SKEMA requirements are:

  • A performance level of “3” or higher on all four required skills

  • A performance level of “3” or higher on 8 of 10 critical skills

  • Two years of work experience, paid or unpaid

Please note: A student with a disability is entitled to special education services until the student either earns a high school diploma or reaches 22 years of age. A student with a disability who reaches 22 years of age after the beginning of a school year continues to be entitled to special education services for the remainder of that school year. Therefore, if a student receives an occupational diploma at the end of the senior year (fourth high school year) but is still receiving services through the school because they are under 22 years old, they can continue to work towards the general education diploma if the IEP team decides that is appropriate. Similarly, for students who have received a special education diploma at the end of the senior year (fourth high school year) but are still receiving services through the school because they are under 22 years old, they may work towards the occupational diploma to increase the student’s likelihood of securing employment following school.

Special Education Diploma

A special education diploma may be awarded at the end of the fourth (4th) year of high school to students with disabilities who have (1) not met the requirements for a regular high school diploma, (2) received special education services or supports and made satisfactory progress on an individualized education program (IEP), and (3) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct. Students who obtain the special education diploma may continue to work toward a regular high school diploma through the end of the school year in which they turn twenty-two (22) years old.

Students who earn a special education diploma will count as non-graduates in your district’s graduation rate, as the special education diploma does not count as a diploma for state and federal reporting and accountability purposes.

Summary of Performance

Case managers should complete a Summary of Performance during the student’s final year of high school. This does not require an IEP team to convene, but rather is a guiding document for the case manager and student to discuss transitioning from the high school setting.

Summary of Performance.docx
High School Math Courses for SWDs.pdf
ed2356_2017-18_special_education_course_codes_faq.pdf
PSE_Diploma-Pathways_06-14-2018_FINAL.pdf