Special Education Essential Curriculum

The Essential Diploma curriculum is designed for students who are eligible to pursue the state approved alternative diploma pathway under California Education Code 51225.31. Students must complete standards-aligned coursework in the 13 courses listed below. Standards-aligned includes the flexibility for modifications as outlined in students’ individualized education plans. Students are offered content aligned with the core content connectors and/or essential understandings of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The courses parallel the district mapping for the general education course of the same subject and grade level. Although modified, students should have exposure to grade level standards and differentiated rigor. Supplemental materials that are out of grade and unique curricular resources are appropriate to support student outcomes.

Mastery of course content is assessed through the use of standard-aligned outcomes and the IEP process. Students who complete this course of study receive an Essential Diploma.

• Modifications may include altered pacing, reteaching, additional reinforcement, individualized attention when necessary, accessibility options and alternative methods and modes of instruction, with emphasis in skill areas that need special attention due to the nature of the students’ disabilities.
• Letter grades will be given and are determined by collaboration between Education Specialist and General Education teachers’ work samples and observations of student’s achievement of course outcomes as documented by successful completion of essential diploma curriculum teaching units.
• Ultimate functioning (curricular activities selected lead to criterion performance in the natural environments).
• Verification of skill generalization to the natural setting, either by observed student performance, or instruction in that setting (instructional inference).
• Necessary adaptations to allow students to participate independently to the fullest extent possible.

The titles and course description of essential courses are shown in the table below and are described in the following pages. For information on courses included in the table below but without descriptions, please contact the Special Education Program Division at (619) 725-7700.

All courses within the 7000 series are the responsibility of the Executive Director, Special Education Program Division.

The following courses are in development and could be available in the 2025-26 school year.
• Essential United States History & Geography 1,2 OR Essential Identity & Agency in US History 1,2
• Essential Government 1
• Essential Principles of Economics 1

The following courses are in development and could be available in the 2025-26 school year.
• Essential Earth Science 1,2
• Essential Chemistry in the Earth System
• Essential Physics in the Universe