1. Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential
New York State Education Department
P-12: Office of Special Education
Webinar Presentation
April 2013 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 school year.
No IEP diploma shall be awarded on or after July 1, 2013. 6

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. 7

8. Eligibility Criteria to Take NYSAA
CSE 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. 8

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 9

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. 10

11. Preparing for Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential
Instruction
Documentation Procedures
Professional Development 11

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. 15

16. 16

17. 17

18. 18

19. 19

20. 20

21. 21

22. Resources
April 2012 Field Memo: Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential for Students with Severe Disabilities
March 2006 Field Memo: Student Exit Summary as Required by IDEA
The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)
Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center (RSE-TASC) Transition Specialists
Transition Services Professional Development Support Center (PDSC)
Transition Source 22

23. Resources (cont’d)
New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA)
NYSAA High School Frameworks (ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science)
CDOS Learning Standards
CDOS Resource Guide with Core Curriculum
Work-based Learning Programs
Career Zone

24. Next Steps
Training - Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Centers (RSE-TASC)
Questions:
Special Education Policy (518)