Regents seeks to eliminate IEP program for disabled students

Students with severe disabilities will receive an “achievement credential” instead of a diploma when they finish their studies at schools throughout New York after the Board of Regents voted Monday to change a state regulation.

The change, years in the making, seeks to clear up confusion about a student’s educational experiences. But some advocates for the disabled say it could prompt students to drop out of school and could harm their employment prospects and the pride they take in their education.

“It’s a concern for all of our parents,” said Sonia B. Merryman, whose 9-year-old son, Avery, is a fourth-grader on the Individualized Education Program track at Sherman Elementary School. “You’re setting them up to fail. It seems you can do more with a GED. You’re going to have a lot of them dropping out.”

Mrs. Merryman said Avery has trouble taking tests, so taking Regents exams might not be the best option for him.

“He’s a smart little boy,” she said. “He just has trouble.”

Mrs. Merryman said a “credential” won’t carry the same cachet as a diploma.

“What’s a certificate going to do for him?” Mrs. Merryman said. “It’s frustrating.”

Mary Anne Dobmeier, assistant superintendent of instruction at Indian River Central School District, was not surprised to hear about the name change.

“It has come under sharp criticism by the state Education Department,” she said.

She said the IEP diploma is specifically for students who are severely disabled.

The IEP, which could become the Skills and Achievement Commencement Certificate, is for students who age out of school rather than graduate. But will the name change make students lose hope that they will receive a “diploma” like their peers outside of alternative education programs?

“That in itself could be troublesome,” said Jack J. Boak, superintendent of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

Mr. Boak said the name change could upset parents as well. However, he said, he does not believe it would cause students to drop out of school because they were not able to receive a diploma anymore.

“I don’t think that would happen,” he said. “Attending school gives them the skills to enter the work force.”

Just like the IEP, the certificate will list the skills that disabled students acquired in the classroom.

Jane Briggs, a state Education Department spokeswoman, said the Board of Regents will meet again in February to discuss safety net recommendations for disabled students. The rule will go into effect in the 2013-14 school year.

State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, said in a news release that she welcomed community input on the matter.

“It is critical that New York State’s Board of Regents look at all options as they consider how to keep students with disabilities in high school,” Mrs. Ritchie said in a statement. “A lot of people were upset when the Regents abolished the local diploma program. If the Regents abolish the Individualized Education Program (IEP) diploma, some special education advocates worry that students will be more likely to drop out if they lose hope that they can obtain a diploma.”

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, supports doing away with the IEP diploma.

“Calling it a diploma is somewhat misleading to parents and students,” Mrs. Russell said. “So I feel that the Regents making this clarification is something that needed to be done.”

Jefferson County Legislator Philip N. Reed Sr., R-Fishers Landing, said he will meet with Health and Human Services Committee Chairman James A. Nabywaniec to consider a resolution that supports bringing back local diplomas for students who are disabled.

“A lot of times, they have to work much harder than an average person,” said Mr. Reed, whose son is disabled. “This kind of pulls the rug out from under them. It deserves to have another look.”