7222 - Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
| Policy: Credential Options for Students with Disabilities | Policy Number: 7222 |
| Date of Original Policy: 07/14/2005 | Date Revision Adopted: 01/19/2022 |
| Reviewed by Policy Committee: 10/17/2018 | Date of Next Review: 01/20/2024 |
| Replacement of Policy Number: |
The Board of Education is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are provided appropriate opportunities to earn a local high school diploma in accordance with the provisions of Section 100.5 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. However, when necessary, the District may award high school individualized education program (IEP) diplomas to student with disabilities.
Local High School Diplomas
Students pursuing a local high school diploma must acquire a certain number of units of credit in specified courses and also met subject sequence requirements. It is critical that student with disabilities be provides access to the required courses and testing programs needed for graduation with these awards.
High School Individualized Program (IEP) Diplomas
Each individualized education program (IEP) diploma awarded shall be accompanied by a written statement of assurance that the student named as its recipient shall continue to be eligible to attend school until the student has earned a high school diploma or until the end of the school year of such student’s twenty-first (21st ) birthday.
The Superintendent shall report to the State Education Department, within fifteen (15) days after the June graduation, the total number and the names of the students awarded IEP diplomas that school year.
Regents Competency Test (RCT) Safety Net for Students with Disabilities
In October 2003, the Board of Regents approved an extension of the Regents Competency Test (RCT) “safety net” for students with disabilities who pursue a Regents or local high school diploma.
The following students qualify for the RCT safety net:
a) Students with disabilities identified through a CSE. Specific language regarding the availability of the safety net does not have to be indicated on the student’s IEP
b) Students with disabilities identified through the Section 504 Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) if recommended and documented by the MDT on the student’s Accommodation Plan.
c) Students with disabilities declassified while in grades 8-12 if recommended and documented by the CSE on the student’s IEP
Students with disabilities entering 9th grade from the 1996-97 school year through the 2009-10 school year must take each Regents course and examination required for their entering class.
The safety net allows students with disabilities who fail a required Regents exam to meet the requirements for a local diploma by passing the RCT in that subject or the Department approved alternative. The school may administer the RCT before or after the Regents examination, but in all cases the student must take the required Regents examination in order to earn the local diploma. The RCT Exams will be available until the student graduates or reaches the age of 21.
The administration shall development regulations to implement this policy.
8 New York of Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 100.9