The end of the school should mean children are jumping for joy, looking forward to opportunities to relax from school demands, try new experiences, and test their new maturity with added freedoms and responsibilities.

For too many children with emotional and behavioral challenges, a school year’s end means facing failure and some pretty negative consequences. For their families, the pain of watching a child struggle with school demands is frustrating, especially if the school seems unable to give effective help and cooperation.

Failing Children is Bad for Children and Schools

Failing/retaining a child and requiring them to repeat a grade is not a solution to school problems. Research shows that retaining students does not improve achievement. In fact, students who are retained have higher drop-out rates. Giving them more of the same instruction does not address underlying problems. A child who is failing needs different instruction or additional help. Children with disabilities should advance from grade to grade and be educated with their peers. Their educational program must accommodate their needs and offer reasonable accommodations and exceptions.

More information:

Students Can Get High School Diplomas without Completing Traditional High School

Students have ways to get a high school diploma, without completing all the school’s graduation requirements, whether they are eligible for Special Education, or not.

  • Graduate by IEP (Individualized Education Program). A child with an IEP may graduate by meeting the school’s general graduation requirements OR by completing their IEP goals. Families and the student may choose to design an individualized program where the child is able to be successful, especially when a school seems unable to effectively support a child to be successful in general classes. For example, a student may want to take only art and computer classes. This type of diploma is the same as the traditional diploma, and allows a student to graduate with their peers, and go on to postsecondary options, including college. If a child is disabled and needs individualized instructional programming, then they are eligible for an IEP. More Information: The Right to Special Education PA Guide for Parents, Page 76
  • Complete any 30 college credits, and Pennsylvania students qualify for a high school diploma from the state. This includes college credits from a community college. More information: Related Pennsylvania School Law
  • Complete a PA Cyber (computer) school program. Cyber schools are official PA charter schools, admission is free and many include a free computer and Internet for the student. Many students who find public school difficult enjoy taking their classes over the internet with others. The drawback is that in families in which all adults member work outside of the home, a student may be unsupervised for long periods of time. More information: PA Cyber Schools
  • Get a GED diploma. Many community programs, including community colleges, offer a GED preparation program and testing at low or no cost. For more information: GED diplomas information

Here’s to Never Giving In and Never Giving Up on our children and the people who teach them, including their families!