High School Graduation Policy Recommendation for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)A high school diploma is increasingly essential for success in the 21st century economy. Nearly 90% of the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs require some sort of education beyond high school. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all students with disabilities to have a transition plan that includes effective transition services to promote successful post-school employment or education. Even so, the graduation rate for students with disabilities remains both unacceptably low and slow to improve. In 2008-2009, just 64% of students with learning disabilities left high school with a regular diploma compared to 73.9% of students in the general population.NCLD provides key Policy Recommendations for ensuring that more students graduate from high school with a regular diploma and are prepared for college or career training.
High School Exit Exams and Students with Learning Disabilities ReportPassing a high school exit exam in order to receive a regular high school diploma is now necessary in 26 states, impacting 68% of all students. While exit exams can support reform efforts and provide important information about student performance, many risks emerge when the score of a single test is used to make high-stakes decisions about an individual student.
This document provides an overview of how high school exit exams affect students with learning disabilities.
