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 Academic Requirements

The Board will determine the graduation requirements of the District in accordance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The Committee on Special Education (CSE) will work with students with disabilities to attain the appropriate diploma or credential based on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Graduation will be predicated on satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements as set forth in the regulations or in the student’s IEP.

Graduation Ceremony

Participation in the graduation ceremony will be predicated on satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements as set forth in the Commissioner’s Regulations or in the student’s IEP, and compliance with the District Code of Conduct. 

Notwithstanding the above, a student may be denied the privilege of participating in the graduation ceremony for a violation of the District Code of Conduct. The Principal may establish rules and conditions for participation in the graduation ceremony and related activities. A student who has met the requirements for a diploma but is barred from participating in the graduation ceremony will be given their diploma separately.

Students Earning Credentials

A student who has earned either a Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (CDOS) or Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (Skills Credential) without meeting the requirements for a high school diploma by the time their ninth-grade cohort reaches graduation may, but is not required to, participate in that graduation ceremony and related activities.  

The following provisions will apply to students who have earned a CDOS or Skills Credential:

• The District will retain a record of each student’s ninth grade cohort. Each year, the Principal will determine whether each student who entered ninth grade with the current year’s graduating class is eligible to participate in that year’s graduation, pursuant to law and Board policy.
   

• During the school year in which the ninth grade cohort enters twelfth grade, the Principal shall submit to the Superintendent or designee the name(s) of all students who are on track and expected to earn either a CDOS or Skills Credential, but not a Regents or local high school diploma, by the time of graduation.
   

• For each student so identified, the Superintendent or designee will ascertain whether the student wishes to participate in the graduation ceremony and related activities of that year’s graduating class by discussing the matter with the student and/or parent/guardian either in person, in writing, by telephone, or via email.
  
  

• For any student who meets such requirements and wishes to participate in the graduation ceremony and related activities, the Superintendent will ensure, prior to graduation, that the Principal, the student, and/or their parent/guardian are notified that the student may participate in that year’s graduation ceremony and related activities, and will ensure their participation is facilitated.

A student with a disability who participates in the graduation ceremony by earning only a CDOS or Skills Credential is entitled to continue their education program until the end of the school year in which the student turns 21 years of age, or until they earn a Regents or local high school diploma, whichever comes first.

If a student who participates in the graduation ceremony by earning only a CDOS or Skills Credential subsequently meets the requirements for either a Regents or local high school diploma, the student may participate in the graduation ceremony of that graduating class as well.

A student with a disability who has attended high school for four years, but who has not met the requirements for a CDOS or Skills Credential/high school diploma, may participate in the graduation ceremony and related activities with their ninth grade cohort, and receive a certificate of attendance and/or course completion and any other awards they have earned. If such student subsequently meets the requirements for a CDOS, Skills Credential, or high school diploma, they may participate in the graduation ceremony of that graduating class.  

The District will provide annual written notice to all students and their parents/guardian of the requirements of this policy.

Cross Ref: 5300 Code of Conduct

Reference:  8 NYCRR Part 100 and Part 200

Adoption date: December 1, 1995

Amended date: September 23, 2003

Amended date: August 24, 2009

Amended date: October 7, 2019

Reviewed date: November 5, 2020 

Amended date: January 10, 2022

Amended date: October 2, 2023

Amended date: April 15, 2024