Certificate Instead of a HS Diploma? No Way!

I am a High School Math Teacher in Columbia, SC. I teach 10th grade Geometry and 11th grade Algebra 2. I have a total of 114 students. 22 of those students are Special Education with IEP’s. 8 of the 22students are passing and 14 are failing Math. Some of the 14 students came from a self-contained classroom setting in middle school. One young man can hardly write and form letters in order to take notes. Therefore, I print out notes. When the 14 students obtain the notes, they still can not follow the notes. These students have been placed on a Diploma track, when, not one, can perform the requirements as outlined by the South Carolina Department of Education.
My Principal and SPED coordinator called me into a meeting yesterday to state that some of the 14 students are achieving well in English, so there is no reason why they should not also be passing Math. They would like for me to give the students work from last 9-weeks, that they can do with the SPED coordinator and insert the new grades into the gradebook so that all of the SPED students can pass. I informed the Principal that the work coming from the SPED coordinator is Googled. The SPED coordinator said, “Well, when the regular ed students turn in homework, you don’t know where their answers are coming from.” I informed her that when I give an assessment all students have to know how to perform the required State Standards in front of me. None of the 14 SPED students can perform those tasks in front of me, yet they come from the SPED room with elaborate work.
My question is, is it against the law or unethical or both, if I go along with my Principal, accept Googled Math work, and change the SPED kids to passing so that they can achieve a High School Diploma? If I do this, then what type of trouble can I get into? Why would it matter if all of the SPED children received a High School Diploma? If I do not go along with this, then my Principal is going to start retaliating against me and writing me up for every little thing that she can think of.

Hi my name is Brandi and I live in Atlanta. I have a son that was Dx with Autism at the age of 3 and is currently in the 8th grade. I recently had his IEP meeting with a group of his teachers. As a parent, I am not afraid of voicing my opinion. I am my son’s Advocate. They would so call “pace” your child or keep them back a grade if you let them. If my child is doing well in class and making excellent grades then I felt like he deserved to be promoted. My voice was heard and that was when we were transitioning over to middle school. Now, in my son’s 8 th grade IEP meeting, I was asked the following question, “ What do I see my son doing after leaving Highschool? My answer was for him to continue his education, to college or even a technical school , somewhere he could take up a trade when he graduate after getting his diploma and that’s when my son’s teacher hit me with the most devastating news. I was told that the State of Georgia passed of a law stating that kids with a special education would only get a certificate! After hearing that tears came to my eyes. I raised my head up and then said to that group of teachers, My son has came along way from when he was first diagnosed and whose to say how much further he can go! I have sent emails to superintendents and counselors and I will continue.

My 15 year old son (Autism Spectrum) goes to a non-public school in Northern CA. In our situation, we would prefer a certificate, because then the school district will cover his post-High School program. They are insisting he is diploma track without regard to his academic abilities. It’s my understanding this is a cost-saving measure to end services at age 18 instead of 22.