What's happening
This bill requires school districts to allow students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies even if they haven’t earned a regular diploma.
Why it matters
Promotes inclusion and recognition. by ensuring students with disabilities can celebrate educational milestones alongside their peers, even if they do not earn a traditional diploma, which may help reduce stigma and foster a sense of belonging.
Acknowledges alternative credentials. such as the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential or Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential as valid achievements deserving of public recognition at graduation ceremonies.
Requires proactive communication. from school districts, mandating annual written notice to eligible students with disabilities and their families about their right to participate, helping to ensure families are aware of the new policy and can make informed choices.
Centers student and committee input. by requiring the superintendent to consider recommendations from the student’s Committee on Special Education and the student’s own preferences, supporting individualized decision-making and self-advocacy.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Disabled Students Graduate
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A1595A
- Ordered to third reading cal.2160
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 4729a
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Disabled Students Graduate
Signed by Governor · Sponsor James Skoufis
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4729--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 24, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LARKIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to policies that allow students with disabilities to participate in a high school graduation ceremony
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Zachary's law".
§ 2. Section 4402 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
9. The board of education or the board of trustees of each school district shall establish a policy and adopt procedures to allow any student with a disability in such district to participate in the graduation ceremony of the student's high school graduating class and all related activities if such student has been issued a skills and achievement commencement credential or career development and occupational studies commencement credential but has not otherwise qualified for a regents or local diploma. Such student shall be eligible to participate if the student's individualized education program prescribes special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services beyond the student's four academic years after the student's entry into high school. The policy and procedures shall provide annual written notice to all students with disabilities and their parents or guardians about the school district's policy and procedures adopted in accordance with this subdivision. Nothing in this subdivision shall compel a student with disabilities to participate in the high school graduation ceremony and activities. The superintendent shall consider the recommendation, if any, of the student's committee on special education as well
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04000-05-7
S. 4729--A 2
as the student's own expressed preference. For purposes of this subdivision, a student's high school graduating class shall be the twelfth grade class with which such student with a disability entered into ninth grade.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to policies that allow students with disabilities to participate in a high school graduation ceremony
Purpose
Requires a local policy be put in place to allow students with disabilities to participate in a high school graduation ceremony.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Short Title-"Zachary's Law"
Section 2 amends the education law by requiring the board of education or the board of trustees of each school district to establish a policy to allow any students with a disability to participate in the graduation ceremony of the student's high school graduating class if the student has been issued a skills and achievement commencement credential or career development and occupational studies commencement credential but has not otherwise qualified for a regents or local high school diploma. The school district must provide annual written notice to all students with disabilities and their parents or guardians about the school district's policy.
Section 3: Effective Date.
Justification
Currently in New York there is no required policy by the State Education Department to allow students with disabilities to participate in their graduation ceremony. This legislation recognizes that a small number of students with disabilities will need special considerations while maintaining their academic studies toward the high school diploma or state equivalent. Some students may need to consider that earning a high school diploma will take longer than four years. Parents and students must have a clear understanding of the requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony, so that the student and parent can plan on how she or he will meet those requirements.
Fiscal implications
None to state.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.