In Michigan, no more diplomas for students in special education
March 2nd, 2010From the Muskegon [MI] Chronicle
A change in state law is forcing Michigan school districts to halt their practice of awarding diplomas to students with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
A handful of districts statewide, including Muskegon and Muskegon Heights, had been awarding diplomas to students who had completed an “adaptive curriculum” in the special education program. Those students will now receive a “certificate of completion.”
“It’s telling school boards they can’t do what they’ve been doing,” said Linda Riepma, executive director of secondary education for Muskegon Public Schools.
Some educators have raised concerns about the new state requirements, calling them too rigid and overly focused on academics. Detractors fear the new standards may drive up dropout rates among students who know they can’t make the grade.
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March 5th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I cross paths with folks with various disabilities, and find myself wondering “who labelled you” when working with people labeled with intellectual or cognitive disabilities.
It’s not that they have no challenges at all, but that many things that are just normal have for them been identified as issues related to their disability. This would include things like forgetting things, or being shy in groups, or having odd tastes, or whatever.
I bet a lot of these kids have achieved “personal bests” in many areas that are exactly the same as their peers, and would be even more ready to graduate with appropriate supports and, most importantly, persons providing support who take things at face value rather than label.