Thanks! Yes I think he could get diploma after Vo Tech. I was reading on Wrightslaw website and they said make sure you get diploma and not just a certificate. The school is almost harrassing me to get him into Vo tech. You would think the school district would give this kind of info.

Each district is different in what they offer ages 18-22. At my school (where I work) we don't really have a votech program but we allow students to stay as long as they need to finish their diploma. Also sometimes depending on what area they struggle in, you can make modifications to their IEP about how their classes count towards graduation requirements. That being said, I think you have to look at the big picture and pursue whatever will help your son the most. Vo-tech programs can be a great option for many students. Is it possible for him to both finish his diploma and get vo-tech training?

It's a sad situation, I think tithe teachers even feel powerless, I know they came up with a set of indicators that tells whoever how the school is doing, like indicator #17 might be number of students graduating by passing HSPA,! So the teachers have to make sure they teach the students that stuff. The government is really messing up our kids education, at least the special needs children. My 3 children went through the same district and did great, my daughter ended up in a class with Spec Ed students once and her honors teacher told us to get her out of there! I never knew what was going on in Spec Ed, until my nephew came to live with us at 6 yrs old, with Aspergers or Autism, what an eye opener, it really is like two different worlds! Very discouraging.

Great question. The school does push for them to do the walk thing then go to work building boxes for the rest of their lives. What a crock! He is my stepson and lives with his mother and stepdad in another state so we feel pretty powerless over the situation.

My 17 yo must have friends in the "system" as he told me that having an IEP he can graduate with his class but stay in school to continue in the "system" until he's 21. He might go back to Vo-Tech to pursue another vocation. We are in PA.