High School Exit Options - Oregon Department of Education

High School Exit Options

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As Oregon students work to be successful in their next steps (e.g. postsecondary education and training, workforce entry, career school, apprenticeship, military) the Department of Education is committed to ensuring a variety of options are available to meet all students’ needs.

Oregon Diploma
In January of 2007, the State Board of Education voted to adopt new high school graduation requirements. These new requirements are designed to better prepare each student for success in college, work, and citizenship. To earn a diploma, students will need to successfully complete the credit requirements, demonstrate proficiency in essential skills, and meet the personalized learning requirements.

Modified Diploma
Passage of HB 2848 requires districts to offer a Modified Diploma “to those students who have demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards even with reasonable modifications and accommodations.”

Extended Diploma
In December 2009, the State Board of Education adopted new extended diploma requirements. Districts or public charter schools shall award an extended diploma only to students who have demonstrated the inability to meet the full set of academic content standards even with reasonable modifications and accommodations. Students must have a documented history of an inability to maintain grade level achievement due to significant learning and instructional barriers or have a documented history of a medical condition that creates a barrier to achievement, and participate in an alternate assessment or have a serious illness or injury that changes the student’s ability to participate in grade level activities.

Alternative Certificate
In accordance with HB 2848 a school district or public charter school shall award an alternative certificate to a student who does not satisfy the requirements for a diploma if the student meets criteria established by the board of the school district or public charter school.

GED
The General Educational Development Testing Service (GEDTS) enables approved states to provide access to the GED Option Program for selected secondary students who are enrolled in school. Oregon school districts and education service districts with an approved GED Option Program Application are given the opportunity to retain enrollment of 16 and 17-year-old students while they study for and take GED Subtests. Because they remain in school, students continue toward achieving the academic credits and Essential skills required for graduation and do not need an Exemption from Compulsory Attendance to access GED tests.