Policy 4770: Graduation

Graduation Requirements

The Board will determine the graduation requirements of the District in accordance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The Superintendent of Schools shall develop regulations setting forth the diploma requirements. Such regulations shall be approved by the Board and shall be provided to students and parents each year once a student reaches the eighth grade. The Committee on Special Education (CSE) will work with students with disabilities to attain the appropriate diploma or credential based on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Participation in the graduation exercises will be predicated on satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements as set forth in the regulations or in the student's IEP.

Participation in Graduation Ceremony

A student who has earned either a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential or Skills and Achievement (SA) Commencement Credential by the time his/her ninth-grade cohort reaches graduation may, but is not required to, participate in that graduation ceremony and related activities.

  • The District shall retain a record of each student's ninth grade cohort. Each year, the High School Principal shall determine whether each student who entered ninth grade with the current year's graduating class is eligible to participate in that year's graduation ceremony, pursuant to law and Board policy.
  • During the school year in which the ninth grade cohort enters twelfth grade, the High School Principal shall submit to the Superintendent or designee the name(s) of all students who are on track and expected to earn either a CDOS or SA commencement credential, but not a Regents or local high school diploma, by the time of graduation.
  • For each student so identified, the Superintendent or designee shall ascertain whether the student wishes to participate in the graduation ceremonies and related activities of that year's graduating class by discussing the matter with the student and/or parent/guardian either in person, in writing, by telephone, or via email.
  • For any student who meets such requirements and wishes to participate in the graduation ceremony and related activities, the Superintendent shall ensure, prior to graduation, that the High School Principal, the student, and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) are notified that the student may participate in that year's graduation ceremony and related activities, and shall ensure his/her participation is facilitated.

A student with a disability who participates in graduation ceremonies by earning a CDOS or SA commencement credential is entitled to continue his/her educational program until the end of school year in which the student turns 21 or until he/she earns a Regents or local high school diploma.

If a student who participates in the graduation ceremony by earning a CDOS or SA commencement credential subsequently meets the requirements for either a Regents or local high school diploma, the student may participate in the graduation ceremony of that graduating class as well.

Graduation Ceremony Program

Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the graduation ceremony speakers shall consist of the Board of Education President, Superintendent, Horace Greeley High School Principal, Student Council President and Senior Class President.

A committee of Horace Greeley High School staff, chaired by the principal, will select an additional student speaker and/or student presenter.

Adopted: May 23, 2018

Revised: March 15, 2023