Brief Description: Allowing certain students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Upthegrove, Quall, Kagi, Pedersen, Morrell, Kenney, P. Sullivan, Jarrett, Simpson, Wallace, Cody, McDermott, Linville, Moeller, Morris, Springer, Wood, Santos, Schual-Berke, Williams, Ormsby and Hasegawa).

House Committee on Education
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Background:

The State Board of Education (SBE) determines the minimum state high school graduation requirements. School districts may adopt additional graduation requirements.

Students are generally assigned an expected graduation year based on the year they begin ninth grade. However, students receiving special education services are assigned an expected year of graduation in the year they turn 16 based on the students' Individualized Education Program (IEP).

School districts must adopt written policies and procedures for meeting the unique needs of students receiving special education services. These procedures must allow special education students to remain in school until the student graduates or reaches age 21. As a result, a student's IEP may provide for the student to continue in high school beyond the student's fourth year.

Summary:

By July 1, 2007, school districts are required to establish a policy permitting students who have attended high school for four years, are receiving services under an Individualized Education Program, and will continue to receive such services between the ages of 18 and 21, to participate in graduation ceremonies with their peers and receive a certificate of attendance.

The act is known as Kevin's Law.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   96   0
Senate   44   0   (Senate amended)
House   94   0   (House concurred)

Effective: May 4, 2007