RE: Re: thoughts on a diploma?

March 28, 2012

I'd have to agree with Rick on both counts. The problem is that leaving the

diploma track often results in leaving the educational track as well and

getting the student in a life-skills only mode. That can really limit access

to anything other than functional and provides an easy excuse for removal

from the regular ed environment as well.

This where a form of " modified " diploma would surely fit, but those seem too

often to be based still on standards and standardized testing that itself is

an obstacle to many of our kids. Might be better in some ways if everybody

got a diploma (because despite nclb, a lot of nda students are still

graduating without the skills) and the diplomas had seals to indicate

reading level proficiency, numeric operations level proficiency, etc.

Many parents whose child does not receive an on-time diploma are pushing

for on time walking at graduation with the student's class, then completing

additional instruction and/or transitioning as a continuing student.

Judi

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Rick Dill

Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 1:37 AM

Subject: Re: thoughts on a diploma?

The big hidden thing here is that a diploma is supposed to represent

some base level of academic achievement. While that may be ignored in

some circumstances, doing so robs those getting the diploma of its

meaning. No matter what environment our kids are trained in, stretching

to meet the diploma level may or may not be possible .. depending upon

the upon both the student, the teaching environment, and the willingness

of the school to be flexible (bend the rules for a particular student).

Of the adults I know with down syndrome, there is little evidence that

the presence or absence of a diploma makes much difference except family

pride (or failure and disappointment if not achieved).

Rick

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