Chapter 4.1. Recognition For Educational Achievement Or Completion Of Program of California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 30. >> Chapter 4.1.

Notwithstanding Section 51412 or any other provision of law, a local educational agency may award an individual with exceptional needs a certificate or document of educational achievement or completion if the requirements of subdivision (a), (b), or (c) are met.
  (a) The individual has satisfactorily completed a prescribed alternative course of study approved by the governing board of the school district in which the individual attended school or the school district with jurisdiction over the individual and identified in his or her individualized education program.
  (b) The individual has satisfactorily met his or her individualized education program goals and objectives during high school as determined by the individualized education program team.
  (c) The individual has satisfactorily attended high school, participated in the instruction as prescribed in his or her individualized education program, and has met the objectives of the statement of transition services.

An individual with exceptional needs who meets the criteria for a certificate or document described in Section 56390 shall be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and any school activity related to graduation in which a pupil of similar age without disabilities would be eligible to participate. The right to participate in graduation ceremonies does not equate a certificate or document described in Section 56390 with a regular high school diploma.

It is not the intent of the Legislature by enacting this chapter to eliminate the opportunity for an individual with exceptional needs to earn a standard diploma issued by a local or state educational agency when the pupil has completed the prescribed course of study and has passed the proficiency requirements with or without differential standards.