LEAP Connect Pathway to High School Diploma

4 component requirements in pathway

• Academic

• Assessment

• Workforce - Readiness and Career

• Transition Services

The student should exit when the IEP team thinks it is appropriate (or when the student is no longer age eligible to attend school).

A student who receives a diploma via this pathway is technically eligible to return to school to receive services until she/he reaches the age of 22. However, the diploma should not be awarded until a student has met all requirements for the diploma, including transition services in preparation for post-secondary opportunities.

Career Diploma Pathway for Students Assessed on the LAA1/LEAP Connect

Component: Academic (focus on access)

Student assessed on the LAA-1 LEAP Connect will be required to complete at least 23 course credits in either applied courses or Carnegie credit courses:

12 core subject course credits

• 4 courses in ELA

• 4 courses in Math

• 2 courses in Social Studies

• 2 courses in Science

2-4 elective credits

• At least 2 of these credits must be earned in electives

7-9 career credits

• At least 7 credits must be earned in workforce-readiness or career courses

1. The Applied course are being expanded to signify student progress. For example, Applied Math I will expand to Applied Math I, Applied Math II, Applied Math III, and Applied Math IV.

2. IEP teams should determine the least restrictive environment and most appropriate course content for the students. Students may be enrolled and/or placed in either Carnegie credit courses or applied courses. For example, a student may 1) receive instruction in a regular English course but be enrolled in Applied ELA, 2) be enrolled and receive instruction in a Carnegie credit course, or 3) be enrolled and receive instruction in an applied course.

Component: Assessment (focus on performance and/or growth)

Students will be required to participate in the LAA 1 assessment and must meet the requirements for this component in both ELA and math. A portfolio of student achievement must be provided for each student.

- Portfolio must include student data demonstrating growth on the extended standards/LEAP Connectors during high school and attainment of IEP goals

-The portfolio must contain evidence of student learning in all core subject areas over at least four years of high school academics

Component: Workforce-Readiness and Career

Eligible students will be required to complete 7-9 career course credits. The career program and course sequence must include:

• Interest assessment

• Career-focused courses including, but not limited to, foundational workplace skills (including transitional courses)

• Hands-on workplace experiences appropriate to their interest (community-based, where practicable)

• Students will be required to achieve an IEP-determined rating on a workforce readiness survey or specific career task analysis. The Department will be posting suggested resources and encourages districts who may have resources to share them with LDOE staff.

• Students must meet at least one work-or-career-related IEP goal.

Component: Transition Services

The IEP team must complete an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) prior to the student entering a Louisiana high school (or upon entering for out-of-state transfers) that includes:

• Post-secondary career goals aligned with the student’s interests and skills

• Independent living goals

• A high school experience and course schedule that aligns with post-secondary goals

• Access to an environment and experiences whereby the student gains the skills and competencies necessary to achieve his/her post-secondary goals.

The Department has created a LAA-1 specific IGP that may be accessed here. IGPs should be developed by the special education teachers, in consultation with a counselor, and approved by the IEP team.

Prior to the student exiting the school system, the IEP team must create a student’s post-secondary readiness and create a detailed plan of action (Summary of Performance) that meets one of the following (from April Dunn Act):

a) Employment in integrated, inclusive work environments, based on the student’s abilities and local employment opportunities, in addition to sufficient self-help skills to enable the student to maintain employment without direct or continuous educational support from the school district

b) Demonstrated mastery of specific employability skills and self-help skills that indicate that he does not require direct and continuous educational support from the school district

c) Access to services that are not within the legal responsibility of public education or employment or educational options for which the student has been prepared by the academic program

LEAP Connect Eligibility Criteria

• LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 1 (LAA1)/LEAP Connect was developed for students for whom there is evidence of a disability or multiple disabilities that significantly impact cognitive functioning and/or adaptive behavior.

• The IEP team determines eligibility for LAA1/LEAP Connect participation based upon the LAA1 Eligibility Criteria.

• Students who meet this criteria are eligible for the diploma pathway.

Science Component Cards