Subscribe to our newsletter. Many questions arise as they struggle to decide whether a standard diploma should be the only option that should be available, or should there be some type of diploma for students who do not pass the test but who meet the requirements of other types of testing. The number of students who spent at least 80 percent of their day in regular classes more than doubled. Graduation rates vary by disability. Students with speech and language impairments, specific learning disabilities, hearing impairments, and visual impairments are most likely to graduate with a diploma or certificate.
Few states have only the standard diploma available to students.
Some states have tests that students must pass to earn a diploma, while others do not. At the time of the report, there were 16 states that had their exams in place long enough to affect a graduating class. Other states are in the process of developing graduation exams that students will eventually have to pass to receive a standard diploma. Additional states are just beginning to develop the exams that have been legislated. Local exams to determine whether students will receive diplomas are also a consideration.