The Latest on High School Diploma

Options and Alternatives

Julie M. Keegan, Esq.

Disability Rights New York© 2013 Disability Rights New York

Regent’s Diploma – CurrentOptions & Requirements

SEE HANDOUT: NYS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. 22 high school credits in specific subjects + electives AND

2. Score of 65 or better* on required Regents Exams

a) Regents Diploma (regular & honors) – 5 exams

b) Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation – 8

exams (regular or honors)

*Unless identified with a disability

Local Diploma

• Available to students with disabilities only;

• Sometimes referred to as “Safety Net”

Low-Pass Regents

Competency

Test (RCT)

Compensatory

Option

Local Diploma Options

1. Low Pass Option: Score of 55-64 on required

Regents exams = pass

2. RCT Option* - Score below 55 but pass

Regents Competency Tests (RCT) in all

required subject areas

*Only available to students entering 9th

grade prior to 2011-2012!

Local Diploma Options, cont’d

3. Compensatory Option -Effective 10/31/12

(See Handout: Questions and Answers on Compensatory Safety Net Option

• Score of 45-54 on Regents in Global, American History or

Science will be considered a passing score as long as:

a. Student scores at least 55 on both English & math, and

b. Scores at least a 65 on another Regents exam to “compensate” for each score below 55, and

c. Meets attendance and course requirements of the district

NOTE: Compensatory option cannot be combined with RCT option

GED (Test of General Education Development)

• GED is usually recognized by colleges,

employers, military as a high school diploma

• Test 5 areas – math, English, science, social studies and

writing

• Will be changing in January 2014

• Individual subject scores from 2013 and prior cannot be

combined with new assessment scores

• NOTE: Complete GED by December 2013!

Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)• Will cover same subject areas (ELA, math,

science, history and writing)

• 5 – 7 hour test in paper and computer-based formats

• Aligned to Common Core Standards over next 3 years and become more rigorous over that time

• Currently unknown if test can be taken in increments (i.e., not passing full test at once but once person passes a section, they don’t have to pass it again)

• Currently unknown if there are any limits on how many times you a person can take the test and how many times it will be offered each year

• See Handout

NON-DIPLOMA OPTIONS . . .

OLD AND NEW

The IEP “Diploma”

• Arbitrary – allegedly tied to learning standards, but no

minimum & not specified

• Not Widely Accepted - by employers, military, colleges,

business/trade schools; perceived as substandard

• Overused – only 8% of students designated for alternate

assessment, but given to nearly 20% of classified kids

• Lowers expectations of students and efforts of schools

• May be misleading to students and parents

• Identifies person as having a disability

• IEP Diploma no longer an option as of June 2013.

New for 2013-14:Skills-Based Credentials

Option 1

Skills & Achievement

Commencement

Credential

-for Students with

significant disabilities

Option 2

NYS Career

Development and

Occupational Studies

Commencement

Credential-for other students with

disabilities who may or may

not earn a Regents or local

diploma

Skills & Achievement Commencement Credential

• “SACC”

• Effective July 1, 2013

• Replaces IEP diploma with alternate credential

(certificate)

• Only available to students currently taking NYS

Alternate Assessment

• Available after at least 12 years of education

SACC, continued

• Issued in conjunction with currently required

“Exit Summary”

– summary of the student’s academic achievement and

functional performance

– must include recommendations on how to assist the

student in meeting his or her postsecondary goals

• Adds assessment of achievement & independence with a

focus on career & occupational learning standards:

– Student skills and strengths in academic, career

development, and foundation skills needed for post-

school living, learning and working

NYS Career Development and

Occupational Studies Commencement

Credential

• CDOSCC

• Regents-endorsed credential recognizing student’s

preparation and skills for post-school entry-level

employment

• Available to all students with disabilities – those

who earn Regents/local diploma AND those who don’t

• Not a regular high school diploma - Student remains

eligible for special ed until age 21 or until awarded

Regents or local diploma

CDOSCC: Minimum Requirements

1. Career Plan – student-developed plan – documents:

a. Career interests and goals

b. Career-related strengths and needs

c. Coursework & work based learning experiences student will engage in to achieve goals

a. Can include outside activities student is involved in (e.g. volunteer activities, summer employment)

- Must be reviewed and revised annually

- State Ed has developed a Model Form, but not

required

CDOSCC: Minimum Requirements

2. Achievement of the Career Development and

Occupational Studies (CDOS) learning standards at the

“Commencement” level in 3 areas:

1. Career Development – career awareness

2. Integrated learning – applying academic knowledge in work

setting

3. Universal foundation skills – reading, writing, math, listening,

thinking, analyzing, organization, time management, etc.

• CDOS Learning Standards available at:

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/pub/cdoslea.pdf

• Schools required to provide instruction on these standards

throughout education (elementary through high school)

CDOSCC: Minimum Requirements

3. CTE Coursework & Work-Based Learning -

• at least 2 units of study (108 hours each) in career related

courses and/or work-based learning experiences

• 216 hours must include a minimum of 54 hours of work-

based learning OR Completion of a National Certification

of Work Readiness

– State-approved work experience programs

– District-approved work experiences (job shadowing, internships,

volunteering, etc.) – school credit may be available

– These experiences should be supported by school through

instruction, supervision, training, evaluation, etc.

– School must ensure special ed supports and services available for

these activities

CDOSCC: Minimum Requirements

4. Employability Profile

– Documents the student’s

• Employability skills & experiences

• Attainment of commencement level CDOS standards

• Attainment of technical knowledge, work skills &

experiences, performance on industry-based assessments

(if applicable)

– Must be completed within 1 year prior to high school

exit

Exceptions: principals given some leeway on determining if student qualifies for

certificate for students exiting in 2013-14 and 2015-15

Public School Obligations for

CDOSCC

• For students who exit high school prior to July 1, 2015,

CDOSCC may be awarded to a student who has not met all

requirements if approved by principal in consultation with

staff. Principal must have evidence student is ready for

entry level employment

• Also applies to students who transfer from other schools or states

• Students must have opportunity to earn a high school

diploma including meaningful access to gen. ed. curriculum

• Incorporate CDOSCC considerations in transition planning on

IEP

Strategies for Students and Parents

• Understand the requirements of the diploma/credential

• Meet with school staff and administrators to determine how they will provide instruction and work opportunities – follow up in writing!

• CSE must address these issues in IEP and provide appropriate supports – request CSE meeting solely for this purpose.

• Make sure IEP details student needs specific to credential and what supports will be provided

Questions?

Julie M. Keegan

Disability Rights New York

5 Clinton Square

Albany, NY 12207

(518) 432-7861

TTY: (518) 512-3448