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OCPS updates Student Progression Plan (Policy IA) to reflect 2024–25 statutory changes, removes certificate-of-completion references
Summary
At a June 24 work session OCPS presented revisions to Policy IA and the Student Progression Plan handbook to align with recent Florida statutory changes, add guidance on ELL and special-education assessment accommodations, remove the certificate-of-completion option, and add new diploma and credit clarifications required by HB 1105 and other laws
ORLANDO — Orange County Public Schools presented a consolidated update to Policy IA (Student Progression Plan) and its accompanying handbook at the June 24 work session, aligning district policy language with recent state statutory changes and adding guidance for families and staff on assessments, graduation pathways and accommodations.
Staff described the package as a routine annual review that incorporated legislative updates (including references to section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, and House Bill 1105) and recommendations from academic and support departments. The update does not implement new board action; it is an informational presentation of policy-language and handbook edits.
Key changes highlighted by staff included: adding language to reflect Senate Bill 7004 updates to section 1008.25 (student progression statute) so the policy explicitly notes retention considerations and parent/guardian input on retention decisions; clarifying that early-literacy expectations extend to students referred from voluntary prekindergarten programs; and expanding handbook guidance so kindergarten through grade 5 students receive coordinated screening and progress monitoring at the beginning, middle and end of the school year.
The handbook also incorporates technical updates and new options tied to recent legislation. Staff removed references to the “certificate of completion” after HB 1105 abolished that option and said the Florida Department of Education will publish additional options for students to meet graduation requirements in January 2026; the handbook includes an interim list of alternative pathways the district will use until state guidance is published.
Special-education and assessment sections were expanded to clarify accommodation processes. For statewide standardized assessments, OCPS staff said paper-based versions are provided by the Florida Department of Education when the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team documents the need and it is used in classroom instruction; unique or nonstandard modifications must be requested from the commissioner and require a 60-day lead time. Staff said they will add hyperlinks to the DOE accommodations guide in the handbook so parents can review permitted accommodations and the district will provide follow-up documentation to the board.
The update also adds ELL-specific guidance: clarified retention considerations for students with limited English proficiency, extended-language service rules, and four graduation-pathway options for students in ESOL programs with less than two years in U.S. schools. The handbook further clarifies home-education entry rules and currently requires a student to complete a full semester at the student’s zoned school to participate in OCPS graduation activities and receive an OCPS diploma; district staff said they will ask the board whether to consider extending that period to a full year.
Career-and-technical education and dual-enrollment sections were revised to reflect state changes to measurable-skill-gain methods and to note that some postsecondary credit decisions (for courses taken outside OCPS or without articulation agreements) may not be included in GPA calculations even if credit is awarded. The handbook also adds the Advanced International Certificate of Education (ACE, Cambridge diploma) as a recognized pathway under HB 1105 and clarifies new flexibility in awarding credits for International Baccalaureate and Cambridge programs.
Board members raised several questions during the discussion: how OCPS pays for Edgenuity (staff said general fund and district-scale contract rates apply and they will follow up with detailed cost figures); how paper-based testing requests are handled when families prefer noncomputer testing (staff said state rules apply and the district will provide written follow up); and how long homeschool students should be enrolled to qualify for an OCPS diploma (staff noted the rule currently shows a full semester requirement but recommended the board consider a full year).
No board votes were taken; staff said they will circulate the final, hyperlinked handbook and provide additional follow-up information by email.
