Today, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ("DESE") issued an administrative advisory on graduation requirements for students with IEPs. You can read the entire document here.
The advisory specifically addresses whether and when a student may refuse a diploma in order to continue to receive transition and other special education services.
DESE concludes that a student cannot "refuse" a diploma, outright. At the same time, a student (or parent) can reject the graduation date on the IEP (based on FAPE) and invoke stay-put (thereby continuing to receive the services). The result of this procedure is similar to the outright refusal of the diploma, but the process allows for a more individualized approach and builds in dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation or a due process hearing.
If you have a question about transition services, graduation requirements, and FAPE, contact the Boston area law office of Wong & Boscarine LLC.
MA DESE: New Guidance on Diplomas and IEP Transition Services