Awarding Credits and Diplomas to Students with Disabilities Enrolled in Non-Public Programs

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RECOMMENDS

That the Board amend Board Report 96-0626-PO1, Awarding Credits and Diplomas to Students with Disabilities Enrolled in Non-Public Programs as part of the Board’s biennial policy review process. This policy was posted for public comment from January 26, 2024 until February 26, 2024.

POLICY TEXT

Consistent with current principles of local school accountability and 23 Illinois Administrative Code Subtitle A 1.44g, the following procedures are designed to apply for all students being considered for graduation who are enrolled in non-public school programs.

High School

Credits shall be evaluated and awarded by the current high school attended by the student or, if the student never attended a Chicago public high school, the high school within whose boundaries the student resides (attendance area high school). Upon completion of requirements for high school graduation, a diploma shall be awarded by Chicago Public Schools. Chicago Public Schools Credits of students who return to a Chicago public school prior to graduation will be evaluated and awarded by the attendance area high school. The high school graduation requirements can be found at https://www.cps.edu/academics/graduation-requirements.

Elementary School

Elementary school diplomas will be awarded upon the completion of graduation requirements set forth by the district. The diploma shall be awarded by the last school attended by the student or, if the student never attended a Chicago public school, the Chicago Public Schools.

Development of Procedures

Operational procedures for forwarding and reviewing the request for a diploma will be developed by the Office of Diverse Learners Supports and Services, along with local school and regional staff.