Diploma or Certificate

[pipsqueak]

For those with children with intellectual disabilities, how do you determine which route (Diploma or Certificate of Completion) is the best route for your child? How much difference does elementary school placement make on which the child receives?

[mightymaude]

I don't think this is something many consider until late middle school or even high school. I have sat in many an IEP meeting at the high school level where a student is nearing aging out and we are working on switching things around to a modified diploma so that graduation can happen. Until that point, the goal was always a standard diploma and it is what everyone was working towards.

I cannot imagine elementary school plays into this much at all.

[pipsqueak]

It is something that pops up randomly on my local DS mom's group that gets some moms riled up (if the kids are in the alternative curriculum program in one of the neighboring school districts then they can only receive a modified diploma/certificate of completion). Since most of the moms that participate in the Facebook group are moms of young kids I started wondering if I needed to be thinking about it in addition to every thing else. Apparently it's not something to worry about yet so I can relax and focus on the things that do need my attention.

[agedsubaru]

Not all districts wait and parents should be up in arms if this is brought up early. I have heard stories kids in 2nd grade are encouraged to go certificate route. This is when the school gives up.

So if it brought up. Get an attorney.

[pipsqueak]

Dec 16, 2018 0:44:49 GMT -5 agedsubaru said:

Not all districts wait and parents should be up in arms if this is brought up early. I have heard stories kids in 2nd grade are encouraged to go certificate route. This is when the school gives up.

So if it brought up. Get an attorney.

From what I understand from the moms of older kids in my local group, the kids cannot receive/accept a regular diploma at 18 - even if one is earned. (If one is earned it can be accepted at 21 from my understanding) If they do accept it before 21, then they are ineligible for transition/school based services that cover the period from 18-21. They don't become eligible for adult services until 21, regardless of when they lose eligibility for transition/school based services.

That's what I understand from asking this question in other groups anyway.