News and Events

Click here to read and download the July 2001 Newsletter

To receive a copy of the newsletter, or to submit questions or suggest article topics, please click here or contact us at:

Kathleen K. Edwards EdD
COACH Educational Advocacy Services
PO Box 8090
La Jolla, CA
92038

(858) 456-7318
www.coachservices.org
dredwards@coachservices.org

Hot Topics

One of the "hot topics" here in California is the High School Exit Exam which goes into effect next year. Here is the basic information you will need to begin a conversation with your local school regarding this exam.

Any student graduating in the year 2003 and beyond will need to pass a High School Exit Exam to obtain a diploma. Students who elect not to take the exam or who do not pass the exam will still graduate if credit requirements are met. However, they will receive a Certificate of Completion and not a diploma.

Obviously, this has huge implications for special education students wishing to attend a four-year college. Although the IEP Team can dictate accommodations for the test, modifications will not be available. Also, the IEP Team can exempt a student from the High School Exit Exam, but this same student will not be eligible to receive a high school diploma.

Currently, the content for the exit exam goes as follows:

English Language Arts based on standards for grades 9-12.
Two essays-30 minutes each
Math based on standards for grade 7, Algebra I, Geometry, Probability and Statistics.

Actions you can take right now are clear. Ask for an IEP meeting to discuss your child's progress toward these exit exam content areas. If it is important to you and your child to obtain a regular diploma, then make certain your child is being taught just what is needed to pass this exam. Each goal and objective on your child's IEP should be based on the Statewide Standards. To obtain the standards, fax the California Dept. of Education at (916) 657-4964 or obtain on the web at www.cde.ca.gov/cilbranch/sca/hsee/hsee.html. Try to follow this issue very closely.

Support Groups in San Diego

San Diego Chapter Autism Society
1st Thursday of the month
Stein Education Center
(619) 595-3691

POSSE (Parents of Students in Special Education)
2nd Tuesday of the month
Torrey Pines High School
Lecture Hall
Conette Delmonte
(760) 753-3790

ADHD Support Group
Lemon Avenue School
La Mesa
Marsha McDonald
(619) 460-3255

Tourette Syndrome Society
4th Wed. of the Month
Children's Hospital
Dale Parent
(619) 444-8967

CHADD San Diego
2nd Thursday of the month
Learning Development Services
Info Line (760) 736-1111



			News and Events Newsletter Click here to read and download the July 2001 Newsletter To receive a copy of the newsletter, or to submit questions or suggest article topics, please click here or contact us at: Kathleen K. Edwards EdD COACH Educational Advocacy Services PO Box 8090 La Jolla, CA 92038 (858) 456-7318 www.coachservices.org dredwards@coachservices.org Hot Topics One of the "hot topics" here in California is the High School Exit Exam which goes into effect next year. Here is the basic information you will need to begin a conversation with your local school regarding this exam. Any student graduating in the year 2003 and beyond will need to pass a High School Exit Exam to obtain a diploma. Students who elect not to take the exam or who do not pass the exam will still graduate if credit requirements are met. However, they will receive a Certificate of Completion and not a diploma. Obviously, this has huge implications for special education students wishing to attend a four-year college. Although the IEP Team can dictate accommodations for the test, modifications will not be available. Also, the IEP Team can exempt a student from the High School Exit Exam, but this same student will not be eligible to receive a high school diploma. Currently, the content for the exit exam goes as follows: English Language Arts based on standards for grades 9-12. Two essays-30 minutes each Math based on standards for grade 7, Algebra I, Geometry, Probability and Statistics. Actions you can take right now are clear. Ask for an IEP meeting to discuss your child's progress toward these exit exam content areas. If it is important to you and your child to obtain a regular diploma, then make certain your child is being taught just what is needed to pass this exam. Each goal and objective on your child's IEP should be based on the Statewide Standards. To obtain the standards, fax the California Dept. of Education at (916) 657-4964 or obtain on the web at www.cde.ca.gov/cilbranch/sca/hsee/hsee.html. Try to follow this issue very closely. Support Groups in San Diego San Diego Chapter Autism Society 1st Thursday of the month Stein Education Center (619) 595-3691 POSSE (Parents of Students in Special Education) 2nd Tuesday of the month Torrey Pines High School Lecture Hall Conette Delmonte (760) 753-3790 ADHD Support Group Lemon Avenue School La Mesa Marsha McDonald (619) 460-3255 Tourette Syndrome Society 4th Wed. of the Month Children's Hospital Dale Parent (619) 444-8967 CHADD San Diego 2nd Thursday of the month Learning Development Services Info Line (760) 736-1111