An interesting development currently impacting high school students with disabilities is the passage of HB 2848 which standardizes the Modified Diploma in Oregon. I've included a down-loadable *.pdf document below which is the Oregon Administrative Rule 581-022-1134 concerning the modified diploma. The last page of this document also includes the rule for "Alternative Certificates" (OAR 581-022-1135).

Also attached is a Frequently Asked Question document in Word format.

Why is this so significant? In the past, whether or not a school district issued a Modified Diploma was a local option. Now ALL districts must offer Modified Diplomas to the students described in the OAR. Additionally, this becomes increasingly relevant because the new "Oregon High School Diploma" (see: http://www.getreadyoregon.org/) raises the bar considerably for students to be able to achieve earning what some call the "standard" or "regular" diploma.

When does the Modified Diploma requirement go into effect? Notice that the last line of the rule says that it applies to students who enter 9th grade on or after July 1, 2009.

If you have questions about this, please email me at jackie.burr@state.or.us