[NYPT Summer 2018]
By Patrice Rachlin, Special Education Specialist
While we have been enjoying our summer vacations, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has been busy providing updates to the Board of Regents on several special education “Hot Topics”.
The topics include:
- a Placement Information System to provide services more proactively for students with disabilities;
- the CDOS Commencement Credential; and
- the Superintendent Determination Safety Net option for students with disabilities to earn a local diploma.
Find these updates, and others, by clicking here.
NYSED continues to improve Placement Information System service availability for students with disabilities by:
- Identifing and responding to capacity needs in real time.
- Providing parents, school districts, counties and other stakeholders with information using a single, accessible source.
- Recommending where targeted fiscal investments are needed.
- Improving processing timelines.
- Improving communications regarding school district and BOCES program decisions.
NYSED continues their work on multiple graduation pathways.
NYSED has summarized how to utilize the 4 + Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential graduation pathway option.
A student must pass four required Regents examinations (or the corresponding Department-approved alternative examination) in mathematics, science, social studies and English language arts (ELA), and in lieu of passing a fifth Regents or pathway examination, the student must meet the requirements for the CDOS Commencement Credential.
Beginning in December 2017, students with disabilities may meet the ELA and/or mathematics Regents examinations eligibility condition(s) for the Superintendent Determination option for a local diploma by completing the requirements for the CDOS Commencement Credential.
The Superintendent Determination Option allows a superintendent or the principal/head of school to make a local determination that a student with a disability has met the standards for graduation with a local high school diploma.
This applies when a student has not been successful, because of his/her disability, at demonstrating his/her proficiency on one or more of the Regents examinations required for graduation. A student must meet specific criteria.