The diploma bill for students with severe disabilities is on the agenda for the Delaware House Education Committee today. The bill caused a ruckus of sorts with State Rep. Earl Jaques, State Board of Education member Pat Heffernan, Robert Overmiller, and the Delaware Chamber of Commerce.
House Bill #287 is now HS1 for House Bill #287. The new changes are as follows:
This Substitute Bill makes the following changes to House Bill No. 287: 1. It changes the name of the new diploma to a “Diploma of Alternate Achievement Standards” instead of a “Diploma of Modified Performance Standards.” 2. It adds a requirement that a student must be eligible to take a statewide alternate assessment to receive the new diploma. 3. The Act takes effect in the academic year after enactment.
But the spirit of the original bill is the same.
…provides the opportunity for schools to award students who meet the requirements of their Individualized Education Plans (“IEP”) a high school diploma which recognizes the accomplishment of having attained a level of performance that is modified from the State graduation requirements but aligned with their established goals and performance outcomes.
As much as those who oppose the bill talk about why they hate the bill, I still fail to understand their rationale. This isn’t a business bill, this is a student bill. I think it is very arrogant for big business to dare to intrude on legislation like this. In my opinion, they have done enough “intruding” in public education to the detriment of students, teachers, and schools. Most of our schools, teachers, and parents want this bill to pass. To me, they are your key stakeholders, not the business community.
For Jaques, Heffernan, and Overmiller: two of you have family members with disabilities and one of you serves on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC). I am unable to fathom your opposition to this bill. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But, to me, it is not a coincidence that you all opposed opt out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Which is a grueling task and a flawed test for any student, but especially for students with disabilities. The majority of the GACEC supports the bill.
I anticipate a large crowd for this House Education Committee meeting. It is being held in the Joint Finance Committee room, not the House Chamber. It begins at 3:00pm. If you support this bill, please come out and give public comment.
Other bills on the docket are House Bill #292, relating to services for students with Autism, and House Bill #282, which would allow extra funding for field trips in schools with high concentrations of students with poverty
The Season Of Myths 