THIS IS WHAT YOU’LL NEED (Updated 9/18/2024):

The General Educational Development (GED) test is for adults who are 19 years old or older who have not graduated from high school. If you are 16 to 18 years old and wish to take the GED test, you must provide written approval from the school district in which you live. Students must pass all four areas of the GED exam: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. Please connect with your counselor and if applicable special education teacher if considering a GED instead of a Standard Diploma.

Portland Public Schools Modified Diploma Requirements

A 24-credit Modified Diploma is awarded to a student who, under modified conditions and curricula, has completed all of the state requirements. Decisions about awarding this diploma are made through a building review team process. The team shall minimally include school personnel most knowledgeable about a student’s academic performance and needs, the assigned school counselor, building administrator, other school personnel as deemed appropriate (e.g. Special Education and/or ESL staff), parent/guardian and the student.

A Modified Diploma is subject to limitations of the guidelines below (checklist):

1. Documented history of the student’s inability to maintain grade-level achievement due to significant learning and instructional barriers, or achievement barriers due to medical condition. Resource from ODE
   
   
2. The building review team/IEP team decides whether the student should work toward a modified diploma no earlier than the end of sixth grade and no later than two years before the student’s anticipated exit from High School, extenuating circumstances notwithstanding. Complete the Modified Determination Form (PDF, Google) (Spanish- PDF, Google). (Vietnamese)
   
   
3. Building review teams may formally decide to reverse a modified diploma decision, but it requires course credits that were modified to be retaken without modifications. 
   
   
4. Students currently engaged in the use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol are not eligible for a modified diploma if the significant learning and instructional barriers are due to the use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol. Students who are in, have completed a supervised drug or alcohol rehabilitation program or have been rehabilitated and are no longer using illegal drugs or alcohol, may be eligible for a modified diploma.
   
   
5. Students who graduate with a modified diploma can attend Community College or the PPS 18-21 year old Community Transition Program with an IEP. For Federal Financial Aid, on the job training, military, Job Corps, technical school, and/or employment students must apply and meet criteria. 

Parent Information: To be announced

Portland Public Schools Extended Diploma Requirements

An Extended Diploma may be awarded only through any student who while in grade nine through completion of high school, completes 12 credits and meets the criteria below. The team will be composed of the following: building administrator or designee, general education teacher, counselor or case manager, student, and parent. Parent consent is required. For a student with a 504, the school 504 coordinator must be in attendance.  For a student served by ESL, an ESL administrator or designee must be in attendance. For students on an IEP, the IEP team makes the decision. A building administrator must be part of the IEP team when considering an extended diploma.

The diploma is subject to limitations identified in the guidelines listed below (checklist):

1. A student will be considered a candidate for the Extended Diploma if they cannot meet the full set of academic content standards for Standard, or Modified Diploma with reasonable accommodations and modifications. In addition, the student must meet the following eligibility criteria:
   1. Documented history of the inability to maintain grade-level achievement due to significant learning and instructional barriers inherent in the student;
   2. Documented history of a medical condition that creates a barrier to achievement;or 
   3. A change in the student’s ability to participate in grade level activities as a result of a serious illness or injury that occurred after grade eight.
      
      
2. Building review team/IEP team decides whether the student should work toward an extended diploma starting at grade nine and until the student reaches the age of 21 years, if the student is entitled to a public education until the age of 21 years under state or federal law.  A student may complete the requirements for an extended diploma in less than four years if the parent/guardian or adult student gives consent. Complete the Extended Diploma Determination Form (PDF, Google).

3. PPS will ensure that all students have access to the appropriate resources to achieve an extended diploma at each high school in the school district or at its public charter schools. A student who receives an extended diploma shall have access to instructional hours, hours of transition services and hours of other services that are designed to meet the unique needs of the student through their 21st year. 
   
   
4. Accepted by Community College, On the Job Training, Military, Job Corps, PPS 18-21 year old program with IEP, Technical School, Employment

Parent Information: To be announced

Portland Public Schools Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance is not a diploma and may not indicate that the student received a high school diploma on applications for employment, military service, financial aid, admittance to an institution of higher education or any other purpose.  It may be earned by students who do not satisfy the requirements for a high school diploma, a modified diploma or an extended diploma. A student shall have the opportunity to meet the requirements of an Certificate of Attendance by the later of:

(a) Four years after starting grade nine; or

(b) The student reaches the age of 21 years, if the student is entitled to a public education until the age of 21 years under state or federal law.

(c) A student may complete the requirements for a certificate of attendance in less than four years if the parent/guardian or adult student gives consent.

A Certificate of Attendance meeting the criteria outlined below:

1. Documented history of the student’s 

   1. inability to maintain grade-level achievement due to physical, cognitive or emotional barriers 

   2. inability over time to maintain grade level achievement even with appropriate modifications and accommodations.

2. Student is unable to obtain credits required for modified or extended diploma

3. Students’ inability to attend school regularly due to chronic physical and mental health barriers to attendance (e.g. home instruction, hospitalization, continued abbreviated day, etc)

4. The student has maintained engagement with PPS or a K-12 school district for a total of four years. If less than four years, parent/guardian consent is required.

The building review team/IEP team completes the Certificate of Attendance Determination Form (Google)

Diploma Requirements - English

Diploma Requirements - Spanish

Diploma Requirements - Vietnamese

Diploma Requirements - Chinese

Diploma Requirements - Somali

Diploma Requirements - Russian