The Florida Senate

1003.438  Special high school graduation requirements for certain exceptional students.--A student who has been properly classified, in accordance with rules established by the State Board of Education, as "educable mentally handicapped," "trainable mentally handicapped," "hearing impaired," "specific learning disabled," "physically or language impaired," or "emotionally handicapped" shall not be required to meet all requirements of s. 1003.43 and shall, upon meeting all applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board pursuant to s. 1008.25, be awarded a special diploma in a form prescribed by the commissioner; however, such special graduation requirements prescribed by the district school board must include minimum graduation requirements as prescribed by the commissioner. Any such student who meets all special requirements of the district school board for exceptionality, but is unable to meet the appropriate special state minimum requirements, shall be awarded a special certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the commissioner. A student who has been properly classified as "profoundly handicapped" and who meets the special requirements of the district school board for a special diploma in accordance with requirements for any exceptional student identified in this section shall be awarded a special diploma; however, such a student shall alternatively be eligible for a special certificate of completion, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, if all school requirements for students who are "profoundly handicapped" have been met. However, this section does not limit or restrict the right of an exceptional student solely to a special diploma or special certificate of completion. Any such student shall, upon proper request, be afforded the opportunity to fully meet all requirements of s. 1003.43 through the standard procedures established therein and thereby to qualify for a standard diploma upon graduation.

History.--s. 136, ch. 2002-387.