Statement from Paul Ash of the Indiana Dept. of Education:

05/17/06

THERE IS A GREAT (YES, GREAT) DEAL OF MISINFORMATION IN THE ATTACHED MESSAGE. I will attempt to clarify/correct some of the errors...

Let me begin with a brief history of the Certificate of Completion (formerly called a Certificate of Achievement). The Certificate of Completion was conceived during the 1992 revision of previous Rule S-1 into present Article 7. It was proposed, accepted by the State Advisory Council, and promulgated into a state rule by the State Board of Education as part of the 1992 promulgation of Article 7. Prior to the Certificate of Completion, it was common practice for students not on a diploma track (e.g. students not earning credits toward a diploma) to exit high school without ceremony, not participating in graduation ceremonies, often merely being wished well by their building principal in their classroom on the last day of school. The Certificate of Completion was developed to provide honor and dignity to students exiting without a diploma, provided a tangible (a Certificate of Completion that looked similar to a diploma) indicating transition to adult life, and also provided an avenue for students receiving a Certificate of Completion to participate in any graduation ceremonies the school may sponsor. It offered honor and dignity to the exiting process for students exiting high school without a diploma.

Here are some of the more obvious errors/misinformation contained in the attached email:

A Certificate of Completion is not part of No Child Left Behind... we developed the Certificate of Completion in 1992... over a decade before NCLB!

Students do not have to pass the 10th grade ISTEP (Graduation Qualifying Examination [GQE]) in order to receive a diploma... students must meet the Graduation Qualifying Examination requirement in one (1) of two (2) ways, 1) by passing the GQE, or 2) by meeting the "waiver" or "alternate documentation" process for students with disabilities (and a similar, though not identical process for students without disabilities) who have met all the graduation requirements except passing the GQE

Students have more than the two (2) options listed in the attached email. For example, the "door never closes" on the opportunity to earn a diploma and take the GQE. Students have up to five (5) opportunities to pass the GQE while in high school and can continue taking the GQE as adults after they have exited high school.

The statement that, "Once a student accepts it (a Certificate of Completion) they cannot ever get a diploma or GED" is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. A student with a disability can return to school after receiving a Certificate of Completion until the age of 22. They can earn a diploma. A student who receives a Certificate of Completion can take the GED. A student who receives a Certificate of Completion can often enroll in postsecondary training/education on a probationary/non-traditional basis depending on the admission requirements of the institution. Where did the statement that a student who receives a Certificate of Completion "Can never...get a federal loan in their lifetime" come from? I have never heard this and do not believe it to be true.

Indiana's Certificate of Completion was developed in 1992... a decade before NCLB, it was not "slipped" into NCLB.

Where is the high school in Indiana with 87 seniors in graduating class where only five (5) got diplomas and eighty-seven (87) received Certificates of Completion? I doubt there is such a school. Indiana's graduation rates and statistics are available on our DOE website under the ASAP section... check it out.

Many states have a "Certificate of Completion or Attendance" but I do not believe all states do. Check the facts through the National Center for Educational Outcomes at http://www.nceo.info

Finally, check our Division of Exceptional Learners Web site and go to the "What's New" section and open "INDEPENDENCE." There will be several articles from the Spring 2006 INDEPENDENCE that will provide accurate information. I would suggest the following articles:

What if I Don't Pass the Graduation Qualifying Examination?

Accessing Vocational Rehabilitation

Colleges and Post-Secondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

What is a Certificate of Completion?

What is the GED?

I hope this is helpful. If information is to be "preached from the pulpits" as encouraged in the below email, it is important that accurate information be the information preached.

Thanks for the opportunity to respond with correct information.

--- Paul Ash, Assistant Director, Division of Exceptional Learners, Indiana Department of Education