Ca Exit Exam is unfair!!!?

Question

My son just went in to the 7th grade, he has severe developmental delays (mentally retarded), I was officially told on his IEP that he would never be able to get a high school diploma in the state of California. Just a certificate of completion. This has got to be a violation of the disability acts. My son's teacher told me that she agreed but she's required to notify me of this on the IEP. Anyone have thoughts on the subjuct?

Answer 1

Well this is a very tough, emotional question.

The real question should be, what is a high school diploma for? What does a diploma represent? Does it mean you were in class the required number of days? Does it mean a certified teacher presented board approved information to your son? Does it mean you know the information they tried to teach you?

From what your saying, it sounds like, in California, a diploma is proof that you were more than there and awake, but can actually repeat back what they want you to learn.

On the face of it, that doesn't seem unfair. If your son is doing his best and attending class, but can't pass the exit exam then a "certificate of completion" sounds to me like a good thing. Much more compassionate than saying "sorry no diploma, bye bye"

I understand your wanting your son to have a diploma, every parent does, but if anyone can get one it will eventually be considered worthless anyway.

Good luck to you and your son.

Answer 2

Have him get the certificate of completion and let it go at that. Over the last several decades, the high school diploma has gotten watered down. Some governments, California included, are trying to change that. Graduating from high school should mean you know something. The California Exit Exam is not at all difficult for anyone who has mastered the stuff you're supposed to learn in high school. If you're unable to learn it for whatever reason, including being developmentally disabled, then you probably won't be able to pass the test. And if you don't (or can't) pass the test, you shouldn't be able to get a diploma. In the circumstance you describe, the certificate of completion sounds right to me.

Answer 3

My thought is that it does somehow violate the IDEA act. Your son is only in 7th grade, how can they assume that he won't be able to achieve something 5 years from now? They have no way of knowing that! I don't think it's fair for that to be on his IEP, and I would not sign it before finding an advocate who is well versed in the law. Call your local Parent 2 Parent office and find out if there are parent advocatcy groups in your area. I found this website too, and hope it can help:

http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&WebsiteKey=ccc2b576-80bf-48af-8827-0acb530166fb

Oh, I found this one too:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode20/usc_sup_01_20_10_33.html

I wish you the best of luck finding out the information you need to know. It's sooo frustrating being thrown into these IEPs with not many ways of knowing what's truly the law.

If you're in need of emotional support, please join us at www.specialparent.org. It's an online support group for parents of children with disabilities and special needs.