Florida Senate - 2026 SB 556
By Senator Berman
26-00148-26 2026556__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to requirements for a standard high
3 school diploma; amending s. 1003.4282, F.S.; providing
4 that students with disabilities may participate in the
5 Special Olympics to meet the physical education
6 requirement for a standard high school diploma;
7 providing an effective date.
8
9 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (8) of section
12 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
13 1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school diploma.—
14 (8) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Beginning with students
15 entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year, this subsection
16 applies to a student with a disability.
17 (b) The following options, in addition to the other options
18 specified in this section, may be used to satisfy the standard
19 high school diploma requirements, as specified in the student’s
20 individual education plan:
21 1. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team
22 has determined that the Florida Alternate Assessment is the most
23 appropriate measure of the student’s skills:
24 a. A combination of course substitutions, assessments,
25 industry certifications, other acceleration options, or
26 occupational completion points appropriate to the student’s
27 unique skills and abilities that meet the criteria established
28 by State Board of Education rule.
29 b. A portfolio of quantifiable evidence that documents a
30 student’s mastery of academic standards through rigorous metrics
31 established by State Board of Education rule. A portfolio may
32 include, but is not limited to, documentation of work
33 experience, internships, community service, and postsecondary
34 credit.
35 2. A student with a disability may participate in the
36 Special Olympics as a course substitution for the physical
37 education requirement under paragraph (3)(f). A student who
38 chooses this option must participate in the Special Olympics for
39 one school year, as determined by the student’s IEP team.
40 3. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team
41 has determined that mastery of academic and employment
42 competencies is the most appropriate way for a student to
43 demonstrate his or her skills:
44 a. Documented completion of the minimum high school
45 graduation requirements, including the number of course credits
46 prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education.
47 b. Documented achievement of all annual goals and short
48 term objectives for academic and employment competencies,
49 industry certifications, and occupational completion points
50 specified in the student’s transition plan. The documentation
51 must be verified by the IEP team.
52 c. Documented successful employment for the number of hours
53 per week specified in the student’s transition plan, for the
54 equivalent of 1 semester, and payment of a minimum wage in
55 compliance with the requirements of the federal Fair Labor
56 Standards Act.
57 d. Documented mastery of the academic and employment
58 competencies, industry certifications, and occupational
59 completion points specified in the student’s transition plan.
60 The documentation must be verified by the IEP team, the
61 employer, and the teacher. The transition plan must be developed
62 and signed by the student, parent, teacher, and employer before
63 placement in employment and must identify the following:
64 (I) The expected academic and employment competencies,
65 industry certifications, and occupational completion points;
66 (II) The criteria for determining and certifying mastery of
67 the competencies;
68 (III) The work schedule and the minimum number of hours to
69 be worked per week; and
70 (IV) A description of the supervision to be provided by the
71 school district.
72 4.3. Any change to the high school graduation option
73 specified in the student’s IEP must be approved by the parent
74 and is subject to verification for appropriateness by an
75 independent reviewer selected by the parent as provided in s.
76 1003.572.
77
78 The State Board of Education shall adopt rules under ss.
79 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this subsection, including
80 rules that establish the minimum requirements for students
81 described in this subsection to earn a standard high school
82 diploma. The State Board of Education shall adopt emergency
83 rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54.
84 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.