This paper is designed to assist school district personnel in implementing revised Florida regulations concerning student performance standards and graduation requirements for Special Diplomas for certain exceptional students. The revised regulations call for provision of a diploma option based upon demonstrated employment and community competencies; development of a training plan to implement the new diploma option; documentation of the student's intent to pursue a course of study leading toward either a Standard or Special Diploma by eighth grade or age 16; and identification of levels of performance standards for students with mental handicaps, hearing impairments, physical impairments, language impairments, emotional handicaps, specific learning disabilities, and profound handicaps. A background section provides a brief historical perspective and an overview of applicable statutes and rules. A question and answer section responds to common concerns about student mastery of the performance standards, incorporation of the performance standards into curricula, establishment of credit requirements, components of the training plan required under the Employment and Community Competencies option, and selection of the appropriate diploma option for an individual student. (JDD)