(A) A diploma shall be granted by the superintendent of the state school for the blind and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf to any student enrolled in one of these state schools to whom all of the following apply:

(1) The student has successfully completed the individualized education program developed for the student for the student's high school education pursuant to section 3323.08 of the Revised Code;

(2) Subject to section 3313.614 of the Revised Code, the student has met the assessment requirements of division (A)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, as applicable.

(a) If the student entered the ninth grade prior to July 1, 2014, the student either:

(i) Has attained at least the applicable scores designated under division (B)(1) of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code on all the assessments prescribed by that division unless division (L) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code applies to the student;

(ii) Has satisfied the alternative conditions prescribed in section 3313.615 of the Revised Code.

(b) If the student entered the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2014, the student has met the requirement prescribed by section 3313.618 of the Revised Code, except to the extent that division (L) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code applies to the student.

(3) The student is not eligible to receive an honors diploma granted pursuant to division (B) of this section.

No diploma shall be granted under this division to anyone except as provided under this division.

(B) In lieu of a diploma granted under division (A) of this section, the superintendent of the state school for the blind and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf shall grant an honors diploma, in the same manner that the boards of education of school districts grant such diplomas under division (B) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code, to any student enrolled in one of these state schools who accomplishes all of the following:

(1) Successfully completes the individualized education program developed for the student for the student's high school education pursuant to section 3323.08 of the Revised Code;

(2) Subject to section 3313.614 of the Revised Code, has met the assessment requirements of division (B)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, as applicable.

(a) If the student entered the ninth grade prior to July 1, 2014, the student either:

(i) Has attained at least the applicable scores designated under division (B)(1) of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code on all the assessments prescribed under that division;

(ii) Has satisfied the alternative conditions prescribed in section 3313.615 of the Revised Code.

(b) If the student entered the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2014, the student has met the requirement prescribed by section 3313.618 of the Revised Code.

(3) Has met additional criteria for granting an honors diploma.

These additional criteria shall be the same as those prescribed by the state board under division (B) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code for the granting of such diplomas by school districts. No honors diploma shall be granted to anyone failing to comply with this division and not more than one honors diploma shall be granted to any student under this division.

(C) A diploma or honors diploma awarded under this section shall be signed by the superintendent of public instruction and the superintendent of the state school for the blind or the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, as applicable. Each diploma shall bear the date of its issue and be in such form as the school superintendent prescribes.

(D) Upon granting a diploma to a student under this section, the superintendent of the state school in which the student is enrolled shall provide notice of receipt of the diploma to the board of education of the school district where the student is entitled to attend school under section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code when not residing at the state school for the blind or the state school for the deaf. The notice shall indicate the type of diploma granted.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 487, §1, eff. 9/17/2014.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.

Effective Date: 09-11-2001; 04-04-2007