32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.17.6
In accordance with Senate Bill No. 2578 of the Mississippi Legislative Session of 2001, MDE developed criteria for an occupational diploma for students with disabilities. This diploma option expands the opportunities available for special education students to the following:
* Academic course of study aimed at obtaining a regular high school diploma,
* Occupational course of study aimed at obtaining an occupational diploma,
* Graduation Certificate as specified by Mississippi Code 37-16-11, or
* General Education Equivalency Certificate (GED)
Students choosing to participate in the occupational course of study must have 20 course credits, career/technical requirements, and an approved portfolio containing a collection of evidence of the students knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the occupational core curriculum. The primary postgraduate goal for these students is competitive employment.
The career/technical requirements consist of 540 hours of successful, paid employment OR successful completion of a two (2) year career/technical (Vocational) program. This requirement, which will consist of work experience, job shadowing, pre-vocational experiences, etc., will be completed within the realm of the educational system. If there are other services (such as vocational counseling and guidance, Career Exploration and Employability Skills Program and jointly sponsored Transition Specialist services) needed to assist a student on this diploma track, the VR Transition Counselor may provide appropriate services in order to serve the student.
Students on track for an occupational diploma may also attend a CRP. The counselor should consult with the Ability Works facility manager about the availability of work and how many hours are intended for community based work training and/or hours needed for completion of the occupational diploma. Services should be planned on an individualized basis for all students. The counselor should work closely with the special education teacher to see how many hours the school can provide to each student on track for an occupation diploma. After the special education teacher has reported the number of hours the school will provide, the counselor should work with the CRP staff regarding the remaining hours and the availability of work before the student receives services at the CRP. Hours of work performed at a CRP (including off-site contracts) may count towards the requirements of the occupational diploma, which may include 1) the 30 hours needed for community based work training and 2) the 540 hours needed towards the requirements of the occupational diploma.
32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.17.6