(1) Assign a point of contact to the student experiencing education instability. A school entity may satisfy the requirement under this paragraph by assigning the duties under subsection (b) to an existing point of contact established by the school entity. The name and contact information of the point of contact shall be:

(2) Develop policies and procedures to apply full or partial credit for coursework that is satisfactorily completed at, and reflected in the student's records when received from, a prior school entity by a student that enrolls at the receiving school entity.

(3) Not penalize a student for a school uniform or dress code violation related to a delay in obtaining a uniform.

(4) Waive each fee that would otherwise be assessed against the student. The receiving school entity may not limit a student's participation in school-sponsored and extracurricular activities due to a waiver of the participation fees.

(5) Allow the student to participate in any school-sponsored or extracurricular activity for which the student meets placement and qualification requirements.

(1) Facilitate a student's expedited consultation with the school counselor or other mental health professionals, as appropriate.

(2) Facilitate the prompt placement of a student in the appropriate courses.

(3) Connect the student with appropriate education services.

(4) Immediately request the prior school entity, county agency and the student's education decision maker to provide the complete student information and records, including an IEP or 504 service agreement, if applicable. Within ten (10) business days, the prior school entity located within this Commonwealth shall provide the requested student information and records to ensure proper transfer of course credits, grades and an IEP, if applicable.

(5) Develop and execute a graduation plan in collaboration with a student in grades nine through twelve to support the student in graduating. The graduation plan shall be included in the student's education records.

(1) A school entity may waive a specific course required for graduation for a student in grades nine through twelve if similar course work has been satisfactorily completed in another school entity or a student has demonstrated competency in the content area. The receiving school entity may consider as evidence in determining whether coursework has been satisfactorily completed and the amount of credit to award for coursework through any of the following:

(2) If the receiving school entity does not waive a specific course required for graduation of a student, the receiving school entity shall provide an alternative or modified course of study that is currently offered to any student and that will assist a student with acquiring the required work or competency requirements by the student's anticipated graduation date.

(3) If a student is ineligible to graduate from the receiving school entity, the receiving school entity may request a high school diploma from the prior school entity and the prior school entity may issue a diploma if the student meets the prior school entity's graduation requirements.

(4) Notwithstanding any provision of this act, for a student with a disability, the school entity shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding student evaluation, placement and graduation. If responsibilities under this subsection overlap or conflict with the requirements for a student with an IEP or a 504 service agreement, the school shall implement the requirements specific to a student with a disability under applicable laws.

(5) After exhausting all other options under this section, a student who has successfully satisfied the requirements of section 121(c), (c.1) or (c.3)¹ in any school year in which demonstration of proficiency on a Keystone Exam is required for high school graduation, but who cannot obtain a diploma from a receiving school entity, shall as a last resort be eligible to obtain a Statewide secondary school diploma, known as the Keystone Diploma, issued by the department. The point of contact shall assist the student in obtaining the Keystone Diploma.

(5.1) A student who attended school in the 2021-2022 school year may immediately request a diploma from the school the student attended in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior school, or request a Keystone Diploma from the department retroactive to the 2021-2022 school year.

(6) Notwithstanding any provision of this act or any other law or regulation, a high school diploma awarded by the department under paragraph (5) shall be considered as having each of the rights and privileges afforded by the Commonwealth, a Commonwealth agency, including the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, a political subdivision, a local agency and an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision to a high school diploma awarded under this act. For a diploma awarded by the department, the following shall apply:

(1) Homelessness as defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77, 101 Stat. 482)² and as determined by the school entity.

(2) An adjudication:

(1) A school district.

(2) A charter school.

(3) A cyber charter school.

(4) A regional charter school.

(5) An intermediate unit.

(6) A career and technical school.

“Student.” A student in grades kindergarten through grade twelve who has experienced education instability.