The Latest on High School Diploma Options and Alternatives - the latest hs options...Regent’s...
Transcript of The Latest on High School Diploma Options and Alternatives - the latest hs options...Regent’s...
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