Pupil assessment: high school exit examination: eligible pupils with disabilities.

Existing law requires each pupil completing grade 12 to successfully pass the high school exit examination as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation or as a condition of graduation from high school. Existing law requires the State Board of Education, taking into consideration certain findings and recommendations, to adopt regulations for alternative means by which eligible pupils with disabilities may demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of academic achievement in the content standards required for passage of the high school exit examination. Existing law defines an "eligible pupil with a disability" as a pupil who has an individualized education program or other specified plan that indicates that the pupil has an anticipated graduation date and is scheduled to receive a high school diploma on or after July 1, 2015, who has not passed the high school exit examination but has attempted to pass those sections not yet passed, as specified, and who the school district or state special school certifies has satisfied or will satisfy all other state and local requirements for the receipt of a high school diploma on or after July 1, 2015. Existing law exempts an eligible pupil with a disability from being required to pass the high school exit examination as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation or as a condition of graduation from high school until the state board makes a determination that the alternative means by which an eligible pupil with disabilities may demonstrate the same level of academic achievement in the portions of, or those content standards required for passage of, the high school exit examination are not feasible or that the alternative means are implemented. Existing law authorizes an eligible pupil with a disability, commencing July 1, 2015, to participate in the alternative means of demonstrating the level of academic achievement in the content standards required for passage of the high school exit examination in the manner prescribed by the regulations adopted by the state board. Existing law authorizes the state board to extend that date by up to one year, as provided. This bill would revise the definition of an "eligible pupil with a disability" by revising the date by which a pupil is required to be scheduled to receive a high school diploma and the date by which the school district or state special school is required to certify that the pupil has satisfied or will satisfy all other state and local requirements for the receipt of a high school diploma to the pupil's anticipated graduation date. The bill would also revise the commencement date for an eligible pupil with a disability to participate in the alternative means of demonstrating the level of academic achievement in the required content standards to be contingent upon the state board's determination that the alternative means have been implemented. The bill would also repeal the state board's authority to extend that date.