New law will help Florida students with disabilities earn diplomas

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Students with disabilities in Florida will soon have more opportunities to earn a high school diploma under a new law set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The law ends the practice of issuing certificates of completion, which officials say are essentially participation awards that do not equate to a high school diploma or GED.

“Now there’s opportunities for internships,” said Clint Whitfield, executive director for Exceptional Student Education and Student Services. “Along with vocational opportunities to try to get our students to really move on to a graduation path.”

Under the law, students with special needs can earn a diploma through individualized education paths. Bay District Schools says they’ve already been providing this option.

“Not much is going to change with our ESE students because in their IEPs we write opportunities for them to have a standard diploma,” Whitfield said. “We have a lot of programs within our schools to support our ESE students to get that diploma.”

Arc of the Bay, a community partner that teaches life skills to students with special needs, said the law will help its mission.

“I think it’s opening up the doors for inclusion,” said Ron Sharpe, president and CEO of Arc of the Bay. “It’s giving our folks the opportunity to learn, grow, and be individualized on their pathway.”

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