A student is awarded a local certificate of attendance, certificate of course completion, or certificate of some other name at the end of the 2005-2006 school year.  The student returns to school in the fall to complete requirements to earn a diploma. How should the school count this student for graduation reporting, funding, and other purposes?

Except for a certificate of completion issued pursuant to 511 IAC 7-28-3 to a special education who is not working toward a high school diploma, no certificate is recognized by the state.  Indiana Code 20-32-4 and State Board of Education rule 511 IAC 6-7 establish minimum requirements for graduation.  Until a student meets those requirements, the student is not a graduate regardless of whether the student's school earlier awarded the student some type of certificate. If the student completes all graduation requirements during the 2006-2007 school year, the student is counted on the DOE-GR at the end of the 2006-2007 school year.  The student, if enrolled, will be counted in DOE-ME Membership, DOE-PE Pupil Enrollment, DOE-AT Attendance, and any other 2006-2007 school year data collection for which the student is eligible to be counted.