GRADUATION OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Annie Margaret Harris, Coordinator Office of Special Education Division of Technical Assistance Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 1

Graduation Options There are currently several different graduation options available for high school students in our State: Standard High School Diploma Career Pathway Option Traditional Option District Option MS Occupational Diploma Certificate of Completion Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 2

Graduation Options The decision regarding a student’s graduation options must be discussed and made by age 14, or prior to entering the ninth grade. Spring 2010 Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 3

Graduation Options The IEP Committee must ensure that each graduation option is fully explained to the parent and, as appropriate, the student to provide the necessary information needed to make informed decisions regarding the student’s graduation option. This will be documented on the student’s IEP on page W-5 under the Graduation Options section. Spring 2010 Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 4

Graduation Options Districts are strongly encouraged to develop procedures to document that students with disabilities and their parentshave been informed of the graduation options and the minimum requirements of each option. This in addition to the information that is currently included and documented on the IEP form. Spring 2010 Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 5

Standard High School Diploma The requirements for a Standard High School Diploma are based on Carnegie Units. The Carnegie Units are divided into various categories including English, mathematics, science, social studies and other electives. *See Graduations Requirements Appendix A-2 & A-3, Standard Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 6

Subject Area Tests Along with the additional Carnegie Unit requirements set in 2000, the Department of Education approved the requirement for State-wide standard examinations. All students must pass four different subject area exams in order to graduate. The subject areas include English II, covering writing and conventions, Algebra I, Biology I and U.S. History from Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 7

Additional Requirements Additional courses may be required by individual school districts based on the local school district policy approved by the local school board. District school boards have the right to add, but not subtract, graduation requirements Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 8

MS High School Graduation Pathways There are three (3) different Standard High School Diploma options: 1. Traditional Option 2. District Option 3. Career Pathway Option Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 9

Career Pathway Option On March 17, 2010, Governor Haley Barbour signed into law Senate Bill 2389, an Act to amend Section , MS Code of 1972, to provide certain conditions for high school career option programs and career track curricula for students not wishing to pursue a baccalaureate degree Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 10

Career Pathway Option The Career Pathway Option shall consist of challenging academic courses and modern career-technical studies. The goal for students pursuing the Career Pathway Option is to graduate from high school with a Standard High School Diploma and credit toward a community college certification in a career-technical field… Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 11

Career Pathway Option MS Code th graders beginning may choose a Career Pathway Option as their graduation option Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 12

SUBJECT-AREATESTS The Subject-Area Testing Program (SATP) consists of four academic end- of-course tests (Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U.S. History from A passing score in each of the four subject-area tests is required for a Standard High school Diploma (i.e. Traditional Option, Career Pathway Option, and the District Option). Spring 2010 Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 13

Individual Career and Academic Plan (iCAP) Each student in MS schools must have an Individual Career and Academic Plan (iCAP) that is personalized to meet each learner’s educational and career goals. Students who choose the Career Pathway Option must complete four career and technical education Units and two-and-one-half elective Units specified in the student’s iCAP Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 14

Individual Career & Academic Plan (iCAP) The iCAP is a student’s guide that helps him/her establish and achieve career and academic goals for success after high school. It provides mentoring and guidance to assist the student in career pathway planning, helps identify correct career pathway options, supports changes to meet student needs and ambitions which enable student to transition into a profession or postsecondary educational major Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 15

Why Pathways To Success? Assist students in selecting their appropriate graduation pathway Increase attendance rates, high school GPA, and scores on Statewide tests in secondary schools Increase enrollment in dual-credit courses Achieve higher rates of postsecondary (PS) enrollment and completion Decrease remediation at the PS level Produce higher skilled employees in the workforce Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 16

Mississippi Occupational Diploma Requirements - Standard 20.5 In accordance with MS Code (2), the State Board of Education has approved criteria for an occupational diploma for students with disabilities. The Mississippi Occupational Diploma (MOD) provides an option for students with disabilities that emphasizes high expectations in both academics and work experiences that will assist students in acquiring and maintaining the necessary competencies and skills needed to secure and retain competitive employment. The primary postgraduate goal for these students is competitive employment Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 17

Decision Regarding Participation The decision regarding participation in the MOD will be made by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee, which must include a school counselor Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 18

Remember The MOD is not a standard high school diploma and will not be accepted at a four (4) year university. It may in some limited cases be accepted at some community colleges in some areas for some vocational programs Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 19

MOD Requirements Students must earn a minimum of twenty-one (21) course credits by successfully completing selected courses from the general education curriculum, vocational education programs, MOD portfolio objectives or any combination of these courses, and complete an occupational diploma portfolio containing a collection of evidence of the student’s knowledge, skills and abilities as agreed upon by the student’s IEP Committee Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 20

Role of IEP Committee The MOD may be implemented in any Least Restrictive Environment deemed appropriate by the IEP Committee. Prior to graduation, an exit IEP Committee meeting must be held to evaluate the accomplishment of the goals and objectives in the IEP and the completion of all requirements for the MOD Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 21

Role of IEP Committee There must be a Transition Plan in place that is tied to the MOD and other post-secondary goals Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 22

Employability Skills Willingness to work hard Willingness to accept constructive criticism Respect for authority Good attendance and punctuality Good hygiene and grooming skills Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 23

Academic Standards Both No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) set high academic standards for students’ achievement; thus, students should participate in the general education curriculum to the maximum extent appropriate for each student. IEP Committee decisions must focus on the educational placement of each student in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 24

MS Occupational Diploma (MOD) Functional life skills Functional academic skills Social skills Self-help/Independent living skills Communication skills Job-specific skills Employability skills Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 25

MOD Optional Course Credits Employment English I Life Skills Science I Employment English II Life Skills Science II Employment English III Life Skills Science III Applied Employment English IV Applied Life Skills Science IV (On the Job) Job Skills Math I Career Preparation I Job Skills Math II Career Preparation II Job Skills Math III Career Preparation III Applied Job Skills Math IV Applied Career Preparation IV (On the Job), OR Any combination of general education, vocational, and/or special education courses Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 26

MOD Graduation Option Required Course Credits Completion of a two-year Career/Technical (Vocational) Program OR 10 th Grade School-Based Work Assessment (30 Hours)* 11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training (30 Hours)* *For students not pursuing the Two-Year Career/Technical Vocational Program Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 27

Career/Technical Requirements Successful completion of a two (2) year career/technical (vocational) program OR By the end of the senior year, 540 hours of successful, paid employment Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 28

MOD Enrollment Enrollment: The MOD option is initiated at the time the student enters the 9 th grade; however, a student can enter the MOD program at any time during their high school career Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 29

Portfolio Documentation Teachers can utilize a variety of methods. Teachers have the flexibility to select the method with which they are most comfortable. Student involvement is very important Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 30

Monitoring Portfolio Objectives Always check previous years’ portfolios to determine if any objectives were not mastered. Objectives may be repeated over several years, and may be repeated in more than one subject area and/or grade. All objectives in bold print from all four years must be mastered or a passing grade must be earned from the general education class that coincides with the MOD course in order to earn an Occupational Diploma Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 31

MOD Objectives There is no single source for all objectives. Teaching materials can include books, Internet and teacher-made items. Binders or files can be organized by objectives. Note: Only one item of evidence is required and the one item can cover several objectives Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 32

MOD Portfolio Completion: The occupational portfolio must reflect satisfactory performance in meeting both the academic and work-training curriculum requirements. Core objectives must be mastered with a minimum of 70% accuracy. Evidence of the level of acquisition must be included in the portfolio for all content standards Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 33

MOD Portfolio Prior to graduation, an exit IEP Committee meeting must be held to evaluate accomplishment of the goals and objectives on the IEP and the completion of all requirements for the MOD. At this meeting, the student will present the completed MOD Portfolio for review by the IEP Committee. The final MOD Portfolio will be reviewed and approved prior to graduation by the principal or a designee Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 34

Role of IEP Committee Review the portfolio at the annual IEP meeting or more frequently as needed. Include all content standards not attained at the passing rate in the IEP revision as goals and benchmarks to be re-taught. Ensure student repeats the course if the core content standards are not mastered Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 35

MOD Portfolio Instructing Teacher’s Responsibilities: Gather evidence to document attainment of portfolio content standards in the subject area. A single item of evidence may be used to document more than one content standard and in more than one core curriculum course. Ensure that the portfolio is documented by the end of each grading period. Report progress toward attainment of the content standards to parents at the end of each grading period. Provide a copy of the progress to the teacher responsible for maintaining the IEP Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 36

MOD Portfolio Student Responsibilities: Assist in the management of his/her portfolio. Review items of evidence each grading period and select the best product for display in his/her portfolio. Prior to graduation, present the portfolio at the exit IEP Committee meeting as a replacement for the exit interview Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 37

Remember There must be a Transition Plan directly tied to the student’s post-secondary goals for life after high school Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 38

MOD Work Component 10 th Grade: On-Campus Job Shadowing 11 th Grade: Community-Based Work Training OR 12 th Grade: By the end of 12 th grade completion of 540 hours Paid Work Experience in lieu of completion of a two-year Career/Technical (Vocational) Program Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 39

10 th Grade On-Campus Job Shadowing Students must have successful experiences and acceptable work performance evaluations in three to six school-based work experiences; six to eight job shadowing experiences; or a combination of the above for a minimum of 30 hours. NOTE: This requirement may be waived in lieu of a minimum of 30 hours of other community-based training experiences if agreed upon by the student’s IEP Committee. The substituted work experience must be documented and noted in the student’s portfolio Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 40

10 th Grade On-Campus Job Shadowing: Steps in Preparing for School-Based Work Assessment Identify possible training sites Local school Neighboring schools Other school sites Central office Print shop Transportation shop Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 41

10 th Grade On-Campus Job Shadowing: Steps in Preparing for School-Based Work Assessment Identify possible training areas in the local school: School office Classroom Library Counselor’s office On-campus day care Building maintenance Janitorial services Grounds maintenance Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 42

10 th Grade On-Campus Job Shadowing: Steps in Preparing for School-Based Work Assessment Identify possible training areas in the local school: Sports team Band Gym Cafeteria Bookroom School store Science lab Art program Bus maintenance Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 43

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training Students must have successful experience and work performance evaluations in two to four community- based work training experiences with a minimum total of 30 hours. NOTE: This requirement may be waived if the student successfully completes a planned sequence of courses from a career/technical (vocational) education course of study in his/her chosen career/technical education field that designates the student as a “program completer” Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 44

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training Community-based job shadowing and work training are designed to provide opportunities for a student to learn appropriate work habits and to determine the things they like or dislike about the jobs experienced, rather than being designed to train a student for a specific job. Each student will visit various businesses in the community to observe work being performed, talk to employees, and actually perform work under direct supervision. NOTE: This is in lieu of the two-year Career/Technical (Vocational) Program Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 45

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training: Developing Community-Based Work Training Sites Review existing labor market Develop a list of potential employers to contact Contact local business groups in the community (e.g., Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce) Retain employer contact information NOTE: This is in lieu of the two-year Career/ Technical (Vocational) Program Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 46

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training: Developing Community-Based Work Training Sites Locate individual employers who may have appropriate training sites. Visit business sites and meet with employers. Discuss the employer options for participation. Allow students to visit and/or job shadow. Volunteer as a classroom speaker. Serve as a training site Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 47

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training: Developing Community-Based Work Training Sites Make follow–up arrangements. Send a thank-you letter to each employer contacted. Complete the Community-Based Work Training Business Agreement when a business agrees to participate Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 48

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training: Developing Community-Based Work Training Sites Plan transportation arrangements. Develop a schedule including all community-based work training sites and participating students Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 49

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training: Developing Community-Based Work Training Sites Utilize guest speakers to provide instruction on community-based work. Possible topics include: Recreation and Leisure Gardening Cooking Sports Cake Decorating Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 50

11 th Grade Community-Based Work Training: Developing Community-Based Work Training Sites Recreation and Leisure: Fishing Playing video games Dancing Ceramics Sports Other hobbies Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 51

12 th Grade: 2-year Vocational Completer Cooperative career/technical education may be substituted not to exceed one credit in each of the non-elective subject areas of English, math, science, and social studies Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 52

12 th Grade: 2-year Vocational Completer Students attend a related study class as part of the cooperative education program. Related study provides contact with the cooperative education teacher/coordinator for the purpose of refining work skills/habits/behaviors, advocacy training, overview of employment laws/guidelines, work situational problem-solving, and contact with local business-related individuals Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 53

540 Hours Paid Work Experience Documented evidence of a minimum of 540 hours of successful paid employment The school cannot guarantee a job placement Some schools use Ability Work. Release time may be given for students to participate in work experiences for credit Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 54

Group Activity Each participant was asked to bring a minimum of 4 MOD Portfolios, at least one for each grade listed: 9 th, 10 th, 11 th, and 12 th. Working in groups of not less than five (5), review the portfolio documentation to ensure the students meet all State MOD requirements. Note any documentation omissions (i.e., course codes, dates, signatures, etc.) Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 55

Certificate A Certificate certifies that the student has satisfactorily completed an individualized course of study as specified on his/her Individualized Education Program (IEP) Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 56

Certificate Students who graduate with a Certificate can participate in graduation ceremonies along with their non- disabled peers Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 57

Certificate A Certificate is not a high school diploma and students with a Certificate may not qualify for admission to post- secondary educational institutions (colleges and/or universities) Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 58

Certificate of Completion & FAPE A free and appropriate public education (FAPE) continues to be available to such students through age 20 who have exited the school system with a Certificate of Completion Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 59

Contact Information ANNIE MARGARET HARRIS DESMA MCELVEEN TANYA BRADLEY OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION Mississippi Department of Education Office of Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations/Office of Special Education 60