[Nfbk] FW: Gov. Beshear signs legislation allowing alternative high school diplomas for students with disabilities

[George Stokes]

From: Wright, Jennifer (OFB-FK) [mailto:JenniferN.Wright at ky.gov] 
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Subject: FW: Gov. Beshear signs legislation allowing alternative high school
diplomas for students with disabilities 

 

FYI

 

From: Governor's Communications Office (Gov Office) 
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 1:02 PM
Subject: Gov. Beshear signs legislation allowing alternative high school
diplomas for students with disabilities 

 




Commonwealth of Kentucky

Office of the Governor 


 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:

Kerri Richardson

502.564.2611

502.330.6633

 

Terry Sebastian 

502.564.2611

502.229.6130

 

 

Gov. Beshear signs legislation allowing alternative high school 

diplomas for students with disabilities 

 

CECILIA, Ky. (April 30, 2012) - Governor Steve Beshear, joined by students
and school officials, today signed a bill that will benefit students with
disabilities by allowing them to earn an alternative high school diploma. 

 

"We know how important it is that every student receives an education, and
how important it is to high school students that they be rewarded with a
diploma for their hard work when they successfully complete their studies,"
Gov. Beshear said. "This new legislation recognizes that students with
disabilities have the same desire to earn a high school diploma as their
peers do. This makes that possible for them."

 

Previously, such students could earn only a certificate of attainment if
they are considered ineligible for statewide assessments.

 

Senate Bill 43, which passed unanimously in the House and Senate, allows for
an alternative high school diploma for students with disabilities whose
individualized education program indicates the student cannot participate in
the regular statewide assessments. The Kentucky Board of Education will
develop regulations outlining the requirements for the alternative high
school diplomas.

 

Sen. Dennis Parrett, of Elizabethtown, the bill's sponsor and parent to a
student who will benefit from the bill, joined Gov. Beshear, school
officials and students for the signing held at Central Hardin High School in
Cecilia.

 

"I am proud of the fact that is my first bill to become law," Sen. Parrett
said. "But I am particularly honored that this bill will allow our special
needs students throughout the state to receive a formal high school diploma
when they walk across the stage on graduation day, as opposed to a
Certificate of Attainment."

 

"We have been supportive of Senate Bill 43 since Sen. Parrett introduced it.
All students who work hard to satisfy the requirements of a course of study
deserve a diploma," said Hardin County Schools Superintendent Nannette
Johnston.  "A diploma is the way we traditionally recognizes completion of a
secondary level of education.  It awards achievement and signifies the
beginning of a new chapter in life.  A diploma leads to other degrees,
certifications and vocations.  If a special needs student performs the work
that has been set out before them in their course of study in a satisfactory
manner, then that student deserves a diploma just like any other student."

 

###

 

Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @Govstevebeshear
<http://twitter.com/govstevebeshear> , read the Governor's personal notes on
his blog at http://blog.governor.ky.gov/, and view his video commentaries at
http://www.youtube.com/governorbeshear.

 

 

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