Fortunately for many special education students in Texas, the state government has adopted a new law called "Scooter's Law" that will allow special education students to participate in graduation ceremonies. Under this law a student can participate in graduation even if they are continuing with their special education eligibility and services. Here in Illinois, we have had "Brittany's Law" which is essentially the same as Scooter's Law. I can say from direct experience for a number of students that I represent, participation in graduation is a very important right of passage.
My only caution is to confirm in writing that participation in the ceremony does not alter the student's eligibility under IDEA for special education services. There should be no room for inadvertent graduation and termination of services when that was not intended. Invoke the "graduation ceremony law" in your state if one exists and make it unambiguously clear that services are not being terminated. It may be an exercise in belt and suspenders, but it is these kind of situations that too often come across an attorney's desk. And for those who are walking across a stage after years of working harder than anyone outside of your family and few select school personnel will ever know, congratulations !
I am outraged that there needs to be a law to allow students with a disability to participate in graduation! We have been doing it for years and years.
Posted by: Gayle (Sisyphus) | May 22, 2007 at 08:46 PM
I'm amazed at the different laws the americans have for special needs, yet how similar the needs within the education system with Canada's.
A child needs that sense of accomplishment and to celebrate such an accomplishment is huge!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 24, 2007 at 08:52 PM
I'm surprise too that there's actaully a law that allow students with disability to graduate. But i think that creating that law will help keep things organize, more especially eliminate discrimination against them.
Posted by: Nita | May 29, 2007 at 12:48 PM