Disabled students deserve diplomas

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Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky held a forum on Dec. 8 that allowed parents of students with disabilities to discuss program options for their high school students with state officials, because a new program denies them a high school diploma.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) used to offer students with disabilities Regents Competency Tests (RCTs), in place of the standard Regents exam, which helped compensate for their disabilities and led to graduation and a high school diploma. In 2011 the RCTs were phased out and replaced by the Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (CDOS). James DeLorenzo, the state’s assistant commissioner for special education said it provides a certificate to students with disabilities that shows they did coursework, but not a high school diploma. He said the changes were made to bring graduation requirements for students with disabilities more in line with the Common Core education program currently in use.

The state currently provides three graduation options for children with learning disabilities: passing 5 regents tests with a score of 55 or better; the 4+1 option, which requires passing 4 regents with a 65 and one with at least a 45; or the CDOS. This means that students who cannot pass the five required Regents exams or the 4 + 1 option have no way to obtain a high school diploma.

The CDOS was introduced as an alternative learning path for high school students, however, colleges, the military, and many employers that that require a high school diploma do not recognize this new credential.

Kaminsky convened a panel of education officials to address this issue and to hear from community members who are affected by these changes. Over 160 people filled a room at the Oceanside Public Library.

The panel of education experts included New York State Regent Roger Tilles, DeLorenzo, Deputy Commissioner for the Office of P-12 Instructional Support Angelica Infante-Green, Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Students With Special Needs Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, and Assemblyman David McDonough.

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