Diploma Tracks
Diploma Options
Outside the regular diploma, the State of Tennessee offers three additional diploma options for our students in the Transition program: The Alternate Academic Diploma, The Occupational Diploma, and the Special Education Diploma.
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 diploma will count toward the district graduation rate and was implemented in the 2018-19 school year. In order to earn the alternate academic diploma, (AAD), a student must:
- participate in the alternate assessments;
- earn the prescribed 22 credit minimum;
- To count toward the graduation rate this must occur within the four years plus one summer timeline
- Course requirements are outlined to support schools in the instructional expectations for the 22 credits and can be found here.
- receive special education services or supports and make satisfactory progress on an IEP;
- have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct; and
- 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 State FAQs regarding the Alternate Academic Diploma here.
Occupational 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. 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
- For the 2015-16 school year, one year of work experience is sufficient as this is a new initiative.
- An example SKEMA can be found at this link on the state website.
View the State FAQs regarding the Occupational Diploma here.
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.