Exiting Definitions of Exit Categories:

• Returned to Regular Education. Total who were served in special education during the previous reporting year but at some point during that 12-month period, returned to regular education as a result of having met the objectives of their IEP. These are students who no longer have an IEP and are receiving all of their educational services from a general education program.
• Graduated with Diploma. Total who exited an educational program through receipt of a high school diploma identical to that for which students without disabilities are eligible. In States where students may receive a GED without dropping out of school, students who were jointly enrolled in secondary education and a GED program may be reported as graduating with a diploma.
• Graduated through Certification. Total who exited an educational program through receipt of a certificate of completion, modified diploma, fulfillment of an IEP, or some similar mechanism.
• Reached Maximum Age. Total who exited special education because of reaching the maximum age for receipt of special education services, including students with disabilities who reached the maximum age and did not receive a diploma/certificate of completion.
• Died. Total who died. Breakouts by age are optional for students who died.
• Moved, Known to Continue. Total who moved out of the catchment area and are KNOWN to be continuing in another educational program. There need not be evidence that the student is continuing in special education, only that he/she is continuing in a general education program. This row includes transfers, and students in residential drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers or correctional facilities.
• Moved, Not Known to Continue. Total who moved out of the catchment area and are NOT KNOWN to be continuing in another educational program. This row includes students who have moved out of the catchment area and there is no evidence (e.g., a record request) to indicate that they have enrolled in another educational program.
• Dropped Out. Total who were enrolled at some point in the reporting year, were not enrolled at the end of the reporting year, and did not exit through any of the other bases described. This row includes dropouts, runaways, GED recipients (except as noted in the definition of graduated with diploma), expulsions, status unknown, and other exiters.

Back to Statistics Page