NEW STATE LAW: Students with acute disabilities who can’t earn a standard high school diploma will leave school without any formal recognition upon graduation. STOCK PHOTO

By David L. Snelling

Miami – The future of Florida students with disabilities who receive certificates of completion for not being able to complete the coursework required for a diploma is in peril.

The Florida Board of Education voted to start phasing out the sunset certificate requirements to align with a new state law in which students in K-12 with acute disabilities who can’t earn a standard high school diploma will leave school without any formal recognition upon graduation.

The future of students is uncertain as the certificate of completion is required to land jobs.

People with disabilities already have a higher rate of unemployment and a lower rate of job placement after school.

The Florida Department of Education says the focus will now be on alternate pathways to completing a high school diploma and that the shift is needed to “ensure students receive appropriate support and recognition for their achievements.”

The change is an outlier in a legislative session that otherwise championed the rights of students and people with disabilities.

Senate President Ben Albritton made increasing the support and services available to people with disabilities the focus during the 2025 session.

Through laws passed last session, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-majority Legislature not only increased early detection and intervention for students who have autism, but also created a micro-credential for teachers who work with those students.’

The Legislature also created a credential that students with disabilities can earn after completing their work placements.

The credentials or badges can be used to seek post-graduation employment.

Jillian Benfield, an education advocate for kids with disabilities, said phasing out the program might be a good step.

“It means our kids are working toward a real diploma, not a second-class credential.

Benfield said, however, that Florida has yet to explain the new rules clearly so families can find the basic information.

“And there’s no strong plan to make sure kids keep getting the services they need,” she said. “Other states have figured this out: they award diplomas, but still let students stay in transition programs until age 22.

“At the end of the day, every parent just wants to know their child has both opportunity and support.

“Florida has work to do to make that true.”