Synopsis:

Signed: H.S. 1 for H.B. 287 was signed into law by Gov. John Carney on April 18, 2018.

Signed: H.S. 1 for H.B. 287 was signed into law by Gov. John Carney on April 18, 2018.

H.S. 1 for H.B. 287 changes the name of the credential earned by high school students who complete the requirements of their Individualized Education Programs (IEP) from “Certificate of Performance” to “Diploma of Alternate Achievement Standards.” A previous version of H.B. 287 would have applied only to students eligible to take the state alternate assessment, a population that must by federal law be under 1% of the statewide student body. The bill was amended to delete that requirement, widening its scope to all students who have IEPs — a population about 15 times larger. Supporters said that the proposed name change would enable students to say they graduated from high school and earned a diploma, increasing their chances of finding meaningful employment. Opponents contended that the diploma’s wording may not have any significant effect on potential employers. They also warned that creating a track that leads to a “diploma” could discourage students with IEPs from pursuing a standard high school diploma; raise the chance of inappropriately diagnosed students — especially those of color — being placed into special education; and skew graduation rate data.

Supporters:

Reps. Kim Williams (D), Paul Baumbach (D), Helene Keeley (D), et al.; Sens. Catherine Cloutier (R), Margaret Rose Henry (D), David Sokola (D), John Walsh (D); State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD); Autism Delaware; Delaware Association of School Administrators; Delaware School Boards Association.

Opponents:

Reps. Stephanie Bolden (D), Richard Collins (R), Debra Heffernan (D), James Johnson (D).

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