Real Diplomas, Bright Futures: California’s New Hybrid Graduation Pathways

Until now, many families like ours faced a heartbreaking decision: Should we push for a standard high school diploma that might not fit, or settle for a certificate that doesn’t truly reflect our child’s abilities?

But now, thanks to years of advocacy from families, educators, and disability rights groups, California has introduced two new diploma pathways that change the game for students with disabilities: Plan 5 and Plan 7.

And we’re celebrating this shift—because it means more students can walk toward graduation on a path that actually works for them.

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🧭 What Are Plan 5 and Plan 7?

Plan 5: Alternate Diploma Pathway

This option is designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are learning under alternate achievement standards. It allows them to earn a real high school diploma based on their progress and participation in the California Alternate Assessment (CAA)—something that wasn’t possible before.

This pathway doesn’t push students into a one-size-fits-all system. It validates their learning journey while still granting them the recognition they deserve. They will “meet them at their level” with these courses.

Course and Credit Requirements for Plan 5:

• English: 3 years

• Mathematics: 2 years (including Algebra I)

• Science: 2 years (including biological and physical sciences)

• Social Studies: 3 years (including U.S. history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; one-semester courses in American government and civics, and economics)

• Visual or Performing Arts, Foreign Language, or Career Technical Education: 1 year

• Physical Education: 2 years

Note: These are the minimum state requirements; local districts may have additional requirements.

Plan 7: Diploma with Accommodations

This is the one we’re most excited about for Avery and other students like her.

Plan 7 is for students who have IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) but do not require alternate standards. These students can now earn a standard high school diploma, with the accommodations and supports written into their IEPs.

Whether that means extended time, modified assignments, or a different pace—the expectations remain high, but the path is flexible.

Course and Credit Requirements for Plan 7:

Students must meet the state minimum graduation requirements, which include:

• English: 3 years

• Mathematics: 2 years (including Algebra I)

• Science: 2 years (including biological and physical sciences)

• Social Studies: 3 years (including U.S. history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; one-semester courses in American government and civics, and economics)

• Visual or Performing Arts, Foreign Language, or Career Technical Education: 1 year

• Physical Education: 2 years

Note: Local districts often require additional credits beyond the state minimum. Under Plan 7, IEP teams can determine if a student is eligible to graduate by meeting only the state requirements, potentially exempting them from additional local requirements.

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🙌 Why This Matters

For years, we’ve watched incredible neurodivergent kids work harder than most people realize just to show up each day, to learn in ways that aren’t always traditional, and to grow in ways that aren’t always graded.

Yet the system didn’t reflect their effort. Many were told that a diploma was out of reach.

Not anymore.

California is finally recognizing that different doesn’t mean less—and that success can come in more than one form.

These new diploma pathways give students something that can’t be measured in credits alone: dignity, inclusion, and options.

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🎓 More Info

You can learn more about these pathways from the California Department of Education.

And as always, we’ll be sharing our journey—one step, one story, one adventure at a time.