A student who has been identified, in accordance with rules established by the State Board of Education, as a student with disabilities who has an intellectual disability; an autism spectrum disorder; a language impairment; an orthopedic impairment; an other health impairment; a traumatic brain injury; an emotional or behavioral disability; a specific learning disability, including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia; or students who are deaf or hard of hearing or dual sensory impaired shall not be required to meet all requirements of s. 1003.43 or s. 1003.428 and shall, upon meeting all applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board pursuant to s. 1008.25, be awarded a special diploma in a form prescribed by the commissioner; however, such special graduation requirements prescribed by the district school board must include minimum graduation requirements as prescribed by the commissioner. Any such student who meets all special requirements of the district school board, but is unable to meet the appropriate special state minimum requirements, shall be awarded a special certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the commissioner. However, this section does not limit or restrict the right of an exceptional student solely to a special diploma or special certificate of completion. Any such student shall, upon proper request, be afforded the opportunity to fully meet all requirements of s. 1003.43 or s. 1003.428 through the standard procedures established therein and thereby to qualify for a standard diploma upon graduation.

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s. 136, ch. 2002-387; s. 5, ch. 2008-204.