FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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Jeanine Blomberg
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
October 17, 2007
Contact Information:
MEMORANDUM
Elise Lynch
(850) 245-0475
TO:
District School Superintendents
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Elise.Lynch@fldoe.org
FROM:
Jeanine Blomberg, Commissioner of Education
SUBJECT: CLARIFICATION
REGARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR
AREAS OF INTEREST AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
SEEKING A SPECIAL DIPLOMA
The Florida Department of Education is pleased to provide clarification regarding the
requirements of Section 1003.428, Florida Statutes, which indicates that a student must complete
four credits in a major area of interest (MAI) in order to graduate with a 24-credit standard
diploma.
The State of Florida provides general guidelines for special diploma options in Section 1003.438,
Florida Statutes. Requirements that are more specific are set by each school district in its
students progression plan. Therefore, for students pursuing a special diploma, an MAI is not
required by statute. However, school districts are encouraged to include MAI’s for those
students with disabilities seeking a special diploma.
JB/BJL/elt
cc:
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Assistant
Superintendents for Instruction
Exceptional Student Education Directors
Chancellor Cheri Pierson Yecke
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
