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SMCOE presents Alternative Diploma Pathway amid questions about naming and countywide rollout
Summary
SMCOE staff reported on the Alternative Diploma Pathway and AB 181, noting the pathway enables students who take the California Alternate Assessment to pursue a diploma; board members asked about naming, employer recognition, and countywide transition supports.
Dr. Zoni Boyer, Coordinator, Center for Access and Engagement, and Executive Director Sarah Notch presented the Alternative Diploma Pathway, citing Assembly Bill 181 (AB 181) which allows students who participate in the California Alternate Assessment to work toward a certificate of completion or a diploma. Presenters said it is too early to measure the law's full impact but anticipated an increase in diplomas as families and IEP teams choose the pathway.
Board members sought clarity on what the diploma would be called and how employers would view it; Notch said federally it is considered an alternative diploma though SEACO prefers avoiding that phrasing to preserve expectations and workplace access. Members asked whether transition programs (microenterprises, vocational experiences) are being scaled countywide; Notch said transition services begin at age 16 across LEAs but there is no unified countywide program, though common practices exist and TeachTown pilot data informed some implementation supports.
