DiplomasatRisk - Diplomas at Risk A Critical Look at the...

Diplomas at Risk:
A Critical Look at the Graduation Rate of
Students with Learning Disabilities

About the Author
Candace Cortiella is founder/director of The Advocacy Institute (www.AdvocacyInstitute.org), a non-profit
organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth, and adults with disabilities.
The author wishes to thank the following individuals for providing contributions, consultation and comments
to this report:
W. Alan Coulter, Ph.D. and Jennifer Koehler, M.A., Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University
Laura Kaloi, MPA, Public Policy Director, National Center for Learning Disabilities
Lynn Newman, Ed.D., Senior Education Researcher, SRI International
Jessica Noble, Education Program Consultant, Kansas State Department of Education
Deb Tanner, Publication Designer
Martha Thurlow, Ph.D., Director, National Center on Educational Outcomes
Our Mission
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) improves the lives of all people with learning
difficulties and disabilities by empowering parents, enabling young adults, transforming schools, and
creating policy and advocacy impact. We envision a society in which every individual who struggles
to learn possesses the academic, social and emotional skills needed to succeed in school, at work
and in life.
381 Park Avenue South, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10016-8806
Telephone [phone] Facsimile 212.545.9665
www.LD.org
© 2013 by National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication is provided free of
charge by the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Wide dissemination is encouraged! Copies may be made and
distributed in keeping with the following guidelines: The publication must be reproduced in its entirety, including pages
containing information about the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Copies of the publication may not be sold.
May 2013

www.LD.org | Diplomas at Risk: A Critical Look at the Graduation Rate of Students with Learning Disabilities |
1
Introduction
For nearly 40 years, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has
advocated for research, evidence-based practices and federal policies to ensure
that all students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) achieve their full potential.
Graduation from high school with a regular diploma is the cornerstone of our
advocacy program because a diploma is the gateway credential tied to college and
career readiness.
As we examined reports and studies, participated in discussions and conducted
activities focused on improving graduation policies for struggling students, we
concluded that a public conversation about high school graduation must start with the
fundamentals: who are the students with SLD and what do their current high school
exit outcomes look like? What we’ve discovered isn’t surprising, but it does convey
how critical the situation is. Too many of our bright, talented students’ futures are at
risk because regular diplomas aren’t necessarily regarded or planned as their first
option. This is unacceptable and must change.