In This Issue

CA High School Exit Exam & Students with Disabilities

A link to the CDE letter was inadvertently dropped from the previous sending of the September Special EDition. And there is so much confusion over the exit exam that we thought it important to resend this.

CHANGE TO CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE

Over the summer, the California Education Code changed to exempt eligible students from meeting the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) requirement as a condition for graduation.

Students with IEPs or 504 Plans and who satisfy all other state and local requirements to receive a high school diploma are eligible for this exemption. These students will, however, be required to take the CAHSEE in 10th grade in order for their schools to satisfy the requirements of No Child Left Behind.

Yet even without the CAHSEE, students with disabilities take many tests. If testing accommodations or modifications such as extra time, breaks, or a quiet location are what a student needs to show they know the material, build these into the IEP or 504 Plan early in a student’s education. The college board (SAT) requires that these be in the plan and that students regularly USE them before they will consider allowing them for college admission tests.

The exemption will remain in effect until the State Board of Education either implements an alternative means of assessment to demonstrate that a student with a disability has achieved the standards measured by the CAHSEE or determines that no alternative assessment is feasible.

For the complete August 25, 2009 letter from Jack O'Connell to County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/cahseeABx4.asp

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UPCOMING DREDF WORKSHOPS
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. SPACE IS LIMITED.

UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS
An overview of the special education process, Section 504, and IDEA laws.

Date: Second Monday of the month except July, August, and December
Next offered: October 12, 2009
Time: 6:30 to 9:00 pm (Pizza included!)

IEP CLINIC APPOINTMENTS
Call to schedule a 30-minute appointment with a DREDF Education Advocate to discuss an issue around your child's IEP or 504 Plan. Bring IEP and other pertinent paperwork. You must attend our special education workshop (above) to qualify for this service.

Date: Third Tuesday of every month
Next offered: October 20 ,2009
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (30 minute appointments)
Where: DREDF, 2212 Sixth St, Berkeley, CA
To register: Katie Keil at kkeil@dredf.org or 510-644-2555 ext. 227

DREDF is a non-profit law and policy center for adults and children with disabilities. We operate a Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center to help families and others in the community get the information, training, and resources they need to advocate effectively for the education rights of children with all types of disabilities. Our Foster Youth Resources for Education (FYRE) program is dedicated to the educational needs of foster children and youth with disabilities, their caregivers, and others who support the needs of foster youth.

We offer our services free of charge.

Call 510-644-2555 or 800-348-4232 to contact an Education Advocate.

© 2009

Advocacy Tip
Test taking should not create a barrier to student success.

Acronyms
CAHSEE — California High School Exit Examination
IEP — Individualized Education Program (or Plan)

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CONTACT DREDF:
info@dredf.org
www.dredf.org
2212 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-644-2555