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Coursework for a Diploma

The Inclusive Access to a Diploma: Reimagining Proficiency for Students with Disabilities initiative provides resources for various content areas. Click on the content areas below to explore example courses and the coursework requirements for graduating with a diploma based on the state minimum requirements. The courses and content for this initiative were adopted or adapted from the curriculum frameworks, state standards, and access guidance documents adopted by the California State Board of Education. Tools and resources offered by this initiative give content-specific tools and strategies districts, schools, and IEP teams can use when incorporating viable alternative means of expression into coursework assessment practices.

Browse Sample Courses by Content Area

The course tiles below illustrate the overall set of courses students with disabilities need to earn a diploma based on the state minimum requirements. As an important note, even with this initiative’s focus on the state minimum requirements, these courses are highly transferable to other graduation requirements students might pursue such as those for admission to the University of California or California State University systems (known as A-G requirements). The courses and content defined below are designed to provide examples to the California educational community of ways to meet coursework requirements through alternative means of expression. Local education agencies should carefully consider the strategies of this initiative based on their own locally adopted graduation policies.

Note that resource availability varies by content area as this site aims to collect feedback from the California educational community. We seek to confirm whether the initiative’s strategies, materials, and tools are clear, useful, and effective in helping students, especially students with disabilities, demonstrate their knowledge to earn a diploma in California.

Click on the populated tiles to explore the sample courses with viable alternative means of expression. Gray tiles symbolize required courses and content areas yet to be completed.

Courses and Big Ideas with an asterisk (*) have sample alternative means of expression.

Publish Dates:

  • Mathematics: August 2024 through October 2024
  • Science: October 2024 through December 2024
  • History Social-Science: November 2024 through January 2025
  • Visual and Performing Arts: November 2024 through January 2025
  • English (ELA/ELD): mid-November 2024 through January 2025
  • Physical Education: January 2025 through February 2025

Algebra 1 *

Integrated Mathematics 1 *

Integrated Mathematics 2

Geometry

Practice Briefs for Practioners

In addition to needed courses, the documents below provide content-specific guidance on ways to integrate alternative means of expression into this content area.

Practice Brief: Cultivating Student Agency

This document focuses on cultivating student agency in mathematics instruction and promoting alternative means of expression for increased accessibility and empowerment. It highlights the importance of educators being aware of their own biases and accommodating diverse student preferences, as well as implementing effective equitable teaching practices. By embracing student agency and celebrating their choices, classrooms can create inclusive learning environments that benefit all students and contribute to a more equitable educational experience.

Practice Brief: Cultivating Student Agency

Mathematics

This document provides strategies for educators to promote multiple ways of expressing understanding and fostering inclusive learning environments in mathematics courses.

Comment

Practice Brief: Measuring Alternative Means of Expression

This document discusses the importance of implementing alternative means of expression in assessing students with disabilities in Algebra I or Mathematics I. Traditional assessment methods like quizzes and tests may not capture the full range of student learning and can create inequities within the classroom. The document suggests using proficiency rubrics that provide clear success criteria and allow for a wide array of means through which students can demonstrate their understanding, promoting inclusivity and supporting successful transitions to college and career environments.

Practice Brief: Measuring Alternative Means of Expression

Mathematics

The document discusses the implementation of proficiency rubrics as a means of incorporating alternative forms of expression to support students with disabilities in achieving credit towards graduation.

Comment

Practice Brief: Utilizing Big Ideas for Algebra 1 and Integrated Mathematics 1

The document discusses the utilization of Big Ideas in Algebra I and Mathematics I courses to support student engagement and provide alternative means of expression, particularly for students with disabilities. It highlights the importance of organizing math content around Big Ideas, Content Connections, Drivers of Investigation, and Standards for Mathematical Practice. By focusing on these key elements, educators can create cohesive learning experiences that promote mathematical proficiency while accommodating individual student strengths and needs.

Practice Brief: Utilizing Big Ideas for Algebra 1 and Integrated Mathematics 1

Mathematics

This document discusses the utilization of Big Ideas in Algebra I and Mathematics I courses to support students' engagement and understanding for students with disabilities.

Comment

Practice Brief: The Standards for Mathematical Practice

This document discusses the importance of embedding alternative means of expression within mathematical instruction to support the implementation of the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs). It emphasizes that providing students with flexibility in how they demonstrate their understanding through different assessment mediums promotes inclusivity and reduces stigma around individualized education program-defined supports. By integrating the SMPs with mathematical content standards, educators can create a more inclusive learning environment that values each student’s unique abilities and fosters a deeper appreciation and understanding of mathematics.

Practice Brief: The Standards for Mathematical Practice and Alternative Means of Expression

Mathematics

This document discusses how alternative means of expression in math instruction support the Standards for Mathematical Practice and promote inclusivity.

Comment

Earth Science

Physics

Chemistry

Biology *

Practice Briefs for Practioners

In addition to needed courses, the documents below provide content-specific guidance on ways to integrate alternative means of expression into this content area.

Practice Brief: Designing Phenomenon

This practice brief outlines a phenomena-driven, three-dimensional approach to science education based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing the integration of science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts to enhance student learning and assessment. It highlights the importance of selecting relevant phenomena for investigation, fostering an inclusive educational experience that accommodates diverse learning styles and needs while promoting critical thinking and real-world applications.

Practice Brief: NGSS Designing Phenomenon

Science

This practice brief outlines a phenomena-driven, three-dimensional approach to science education based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Comment

Practice Brief: Providing Alternative Means of Expression for Student Success in NGSS


The document discusses the importance of providing alternative means of expression for students to demonstrate proficiency with California’s Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). It emphasizes how these alternate means of expression, such as verbal responses, pictorial/visual forms, multimedia responses, and assistive technology responses, can enhance student access to learning and support the application of Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) outlined in CA NGSS. By offering various assessment mediums that align with SEPs like asking questions, developing models, planning investigations, analyzing data, using mathematics/computational thinking, constructing explanations/designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining/communicating information; alternative means of expression help create inclusive science learning environments where diverse student needs are incorporated.

Practice Brief: NGSS Providing Alternative Means of Expression for Student Success

Science

The document discusses the importance of providing alternative means of expression for students, particularly those with disabilities, in order to support their proficiency with California's Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) and further establishes how alternative means of expression complement the integration of Science and Engineering Practices.

Comment

Practice Brief: NGSS All Standards for All Students


This document emphasizes the importance of implementing district policies and instructional methods that support alternative means of expression in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), particularly for students with disabilities. By providing flexibility and choice, districts can create inclusive learning environments and foster student independence and create deep connections to NGSS-aligned instruction and assessment recommendations. The document also highlights the need for clear course models and assessment boundaries to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities while staying aligned to the learning requirements to each course big idea needed for proficiency.

 

Practice Brief: NGSS All Standards for All Students

Science

The document highlights the importance of implementing district policies and instructional methods that support alternative means of expression in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for students with disabilities. The brief emphasizes how NGSS naturally embeds flexibility, choice, and inclusive learning environments.

Comment

Principles of Economics

World History

US History

Principles of American Democracy

Practice briefs for these course areas will be coming soon.

Grades 9 and 10

Practice briefs for these course areas will be coming soon.

Fundamentals of Art Secondary

Practice briefs for these course areas will be coming soon.

9th Grade Physical Education

Practice briefs for these course areas will be coming soon.

Funded by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division

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