ALBANY — New York's education policy makers approved a plan Monday to expand graduation options for students with disabilities that could affect more than 2,000 students as soon as this month.

The new rules, approved by the Board of Regents Monday, would allow school superintendents to decide whether certain students who have met the academic requirements of a local diploma but were unable to pass every Regents exam should be allowed to graduate. This would help those students who met state learning standards for graduation, officials say, but because of their disabilities were unable to demonstrate proficiency on state tests, even with testing accommodations.

"This is a starting point, given the very narrow time frame," said Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa, who has advocated for students with disabilities. "School is ending in a short period of time, so this was an investment and a signal to say to our state that we are very much committed to finding different pathways and different ways for children to demonstrate what they know."

The new option is available to students with disabilities who have an individualized education program, or IEP, and receive special education programs or services.

Currently, these students have several "safety net" options that would allow them to graduate with a local diploma.

The first allows them to graduate at a low pass rate of 55 on the five required Regents exams. The second allows students to appeal their score on a Regents exam if they score within three points below the low pass rate of 55. A third eases restrictions for students who score between 45 and 54 on one or more Regents exams — other than the English or math — so long as they score a 65 or higher on another required exam that can compensate for the lower score.

Under the new option, students would still be required to earn a minimum score on the ELA and math Regents exams, as state officials consider those to be foundational skills that require a standardized measure of achievement. However, when a student fails another required Regents exam, their superintendent must then review that student's academic record to see if, apart from the state assessment, the individual has demonstrated proficiency in the state's learning standards.

This involves a review of the student's final course grade in the tested subject, as well as work completed throughout the school year like homework, projects, class work, quizzes and tests. The superintendent would then provide written certification to the state documenting the student met state standards. A failed exam triggers this automatic review and does not need to be requested by a student or parent.

About 2,200 students statewide could benefit from the new graduation option this June. About 1,300 students with IEPs currently have four years of high school under their belt, while another 600 have five years and another 300 have six years. State law requires school districts to provide free education to all students until the age of 21.

"I will tell you, the stories that have come through from parents have been heartbreaking because they didn't know when their child entered middle school or high school that they suddenly might not have a high school diploma upon graduation," said Regent Judith Johnson.

"I think the superintendent and the building principal and the teacher know the student best," she said. "They know the effort the student has put into his or her work. I've heard stories of kids who've been in school for 13 years who've missed fewer than two days of school their entire school career. We need to make sure they are honored with the recognition of that by giving them a school diploma."

The decision earned praise from legislators and education groups Monday who called the previous system a "one size fits all" approach to graduation.

High Achievement New York praised the efforts as a way to prevent students from languishing because of test scores, but the pro-Common Core group also warned against districts who might "misuse" the new option as a way to avoid the state's new learning standards.

"While the Regents work to provide more accessible pathways to graduation for students who really need them, the state cannot allow these pathways to become side doors around New York's rigorous high standards and assessments," the group said in a statement. "Ultimately, the overwhelming majority of students in New York will need to pass tougher Regents exams in the coming years aligned to higher standards. That's why it's so vital that students opt in to state assessments now, so they are prepared for the truly high stakes graduation exams to come."

Several Regents spoke out against critics of the new option, saying it in no way lowers standards and instead treats high school graduation in the same way that colleges consider new students, by considering multiple measures of success and talent.

"There are so many different ways to capture a student's abilities and talents," Rosa said.

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