1

Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential

New York State Education DepartmentP-12: Office of Special Education

Webinar PresentationApril 2013

2

Topics Anticipated outcomes of credential Regulatory requirements

Eligibility NYSAA participation criteria

Documentation requirements Student Exit Summary Form

Instruction in Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) learning standards and work-related experiences

Resources for additional information and technical assistance

3

Anticipated Outcomes Improve post-secondary opportunities

Emphasize curriculum and instruction related to CDOS Learning Standards

Promote learning experiences to support functional, basic academic and career skills

4

Anticipated Outcomes (con’t) Provide documentation of a student’s

strengths, independence and level of skill achievement

Provide standardization and detail to the requirement to provide a student with a disability with an Exit Summary

5

Student Exit Summary (§200.4(c)(4)) Summary of student’s academic

achievement and functional performance

Recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting post-secondary goals

Provided upon school exit

6

Regulatory Requirements

Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential is effective with 2013-14 school year.

No IEP diploma shall be awarded on or after July 1, 2013.

7

Regulatory Requirements (con’t)Student Eligibility for Credential Severe disability;

CSE recommended student take New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA); and

Attended school 12 years, excluding kindergarten, or until the end of school year student turns 21.

8

Eligibility Criteria to Take NYSAACSE determination based on student:

having severe cognitive disability and significant deficits in communication and language and significant deficits in adaptive behavior; and

requiring highly specialized educational program that facilitates acquisition, application, and transfer of skills across natural environments (home, school, community, and/or workplace); and

requiring educational support systems, such as assistive technology, personal care services, health/medical services, or behavioral intervention.

9

Regulatory Requirements (con’t)

Parent notification: Continued eligibility for free appropriate public education (FAPE)

Credential is similar in form to diploma with annotation that it is based on alternate academic achievement standards

Credential must be issued by Board of Education or trustees of school district May be issued by principal of nonpublic school

10

Regulatory Requirements (con’t) Issued with summary of student’s academic

and functional performance (Student Exit Summary) that documents:

Level of achievement and independence on CDOS learning standards;

Academic skills as measured by NYSAA;

Strengths and interests; and

As appropriate, other achievements and accomplishments.

11

Preparing for Skills and Achievement Commencement CredentialInstruction

Documentation Procedures

Professional Development

12

Instruction CDOS learning standards

Coursework and participation in work-based learning experiences

Transition planning and services

13

Documentation Procedures

Data Sources Gather data from multiple measures across variety of

settings and over time to document student skills Observations Coursework Community/school/work experiences Career Plan Career assessments (including Level 1) Other functional vocational and transition assessments

Student Exit Summary Use as an annual planning and instructional tool

Establish goals, guide instruction, assess student progress and assist with transition planning

Complete through a team process including student, family, school personnel, adult agency personnel

Provide final summary at school exit

14

Professional Development

Transition planning and services

CDOS standards and NYSAA

Experiences that prepare student for post-school life

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Resources

April 2012 Field Memo: Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential for Students with Severe Disabilities http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/SACCmemo.htm

March 2006 Field Memo: Student Exit Summary as Required by IDEA 2004 http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/idea/exitsumm.htm

The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) http://www.nsttac.org/content/summary-performance-resources

Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center (RSE-TASC) Transition Specialists http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/techassist/rsetasc/tslist.htm

Transition Services Professional Development Support Center (PDSC) http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/techassist/announcePDSC.htm

Transition Source http://www.transitionsource.org

23

Resources (cont’d) New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA)

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/nysaa/home.html

NYSAA High School Frameworks (ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science) http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/nysaa/2011-12/manual-12/framework/hs.pdf

CDOS Learning Standards http://www.p12.nysed.gov/cte/cdlearn/

CDOS Resource Guide with Core Curriculum http://www.p12.nysed.gov/cte/cdlearn/cdosresourceguide.html

Work-based Learning Programs http://www.p12.nysed.gov/cte/wbl/home.html

Career Zone www.careerzone.ny.gov

24

Next Steps

Training - Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Centers (RSE-TASC) http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/techassist/rsetasc

Questions: email skillscred@mail.nysed.gov

Special Education Policy (518) 473-2878