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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Jason Atkinson in line for Fish and Wildlife Commission post City board topples elevated housing plan Drunk driver gets 13 months for hitting pedestrian Oregon Caves marks connection to 3D View-Master Jackson County honors fallen police Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Drunk driver gets 13 months for hitting pedestrian Jackson County honors fallen police Feds allege Georgia, Maryland residents defrauded Oregon taxpayers of more than $2 million Three men charged in Prospect area burglaries Emergency services Politics and Elections Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Education South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Medford garage sale will put books in African kids' hands Medford schools restore parent-teacher conferences Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Medford schools still filling admin roles Environment Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks State News Oregon House: Bikers who can't get a green light may turn on red Incoming president tours University of Oregon campus West Linn police officer leads state in DUII arrests Oil industry challenges rules meant to stop train explosions Crooked River Ranch residents stumped by bare shoe tree Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Verla Jean Rametes Death Notices Doris Oka Chang Patrick Joseph Mulcahy Dr. Stephen Gallier Dippel Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Horford's late follow gives Hawks win Kluber strikes out 18, Indians top Cardinals Rogues to host summer baseball camps A Wise freshman leads the Ducks Last one standing Varsity 541 College Sports A Wise freshman leads the Ducks Baldovino, Concordia upset No. 1 Oklahoma City Northwestern’s Wu chosen for NCAA field Oregon State AD De Carolis to step down Beavers, Utes tie in 15 Pro Sports Horford's late follow gives Hawks win Kluber strikes out 18, Indians top Cardinals Rogues to host summer baseball camps MLB pumps up ball security after Brady flap Mariners 'Cruz' to win over Padres Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter Cars We Remember: Noted musician unravels 55-year Nash Rambler mystery Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Christianity declining in US Landgren cartoon: Roger Goodell’s NFL scales of justice Clive McFarlane: Football ethics take center stage Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Letters to the Editor, May 13 Editorials Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Our View: Abundant water no excuse for waste Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Other Views: Court ruling means PERS reform is dead Our View: Could self-serve ban be on the way out? 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EDUCATION An open door Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 26, 2014 at 2:00 AM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 26, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News The state opened doors for students with disabilities when it decided to recognize those earning modified diplomas as graduates — not just completers — who are now eligible for federal financial aid. “It’s really big news,” said Ashland High School Principal Michelle Zundel, who attended sessions in Salem on the subject. “It opens up all kinds of opportunities for students with disabilities who can now pursue a post-secondary education,” she said. Modified diplomas are designed for any student who has a documented history of an inability to maintain grade-level achievement because of an impairment, said Tania Tong, Medford’s supervisor of student services. Between 2009 and 2013, 51 students in the Medford School District earned a modified diploma. However, these students were not calculated into the district’s graduation rate because the state did not consider the modified diploma equivalent to the standard diploma. Until 2012, some students with modified diplomas could apply for federal financial assistance, thanks to the “ability to benefit” clause in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. But the clause was removed in 2012, leaving only those with a standard diploma with access to federal financial aid. “There were a lot of letters written to (U.S. Sen. Jeff) Merkley, so he decided this was something that was important for him to tackle,” said Sally Simich, a secondary transitions specialist with the Oregon Department of Education. “He and Rep. Sara Gelser brought it up in Washington, D.C., and that's what started this conversation.” Last spring, the U.S. Department of Education clarified its eligibility requirements, saying that if the state determined the modified diploma to be “significantly similar” to a regular high school diploma, then it would meet the criteria for federal financial aid, said ODE spokeswoman Crystal Greene. “Based on our further review of their ‘significantly similar’ criteria, as well as the requirements for a modified diploma and a regular high school diploma, which are significantly similar, we made that determination,” Greene said. In 2013, 31,440 students statewide graduated with a standard diploma. Another 767 received a modified diploma, Greene said. Based on those numbers, the state expects about a 2 percent bump in the graduation rate, she added. “Many students weren't able to pursue a college education because they didn't have the ability to apply for federal financial aid," said Tiffanie Lambert, Eagle Point's director of special services. "This is life-changing for them. And to be able to apply for student financial aid, that’s huge.” Students earning a modified diploma must complete the same number of high school credits as those earning a regular diploma. However, a student on track for a modified diploma is allowed to take fewer core academic classes and more elective classes geared toward building life skills, explained Celine Buczek, a transition specialist at Crater High School. A special education case manager and an Individualized Education Program team determine whether a student with physical, cognitive or educational disability or a mental health condition should be allowed certain modifications in a few or all of his or her classes, Buczek said. For example, that student may be assigned 75 percent of an algebra assignment or a two-page rather than a three-page writing assignment, Buczek said. Their state assessments also may be scored differently from their classmates, she added. If students take a class with modifications, they don’t receive a letter grade. Instead, they either pass or don’t pass. If they've earned a modified diploma and decide they’d like a standard diploma, they can retake those classes for a letter grade. Earlier this year, 15 Central Point students graduated with a modified diploma, said Brock Rowley, the district’s director of special programs. Ariel Rogers, 16, a junior at Crater Renaissance Academy with Down syndrome, is on track to graduate in 2016 with a modified diploma. Currently, she’s taking English, photojournalism, marine science, world culture and choir, said her mom, Joyce Rogers, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Southern Oregon. Jeff Zundel, who teaches Ariel’s English, world studies and photography class, said her assignments are modified in that they are individualized or scored on a different scale than her classmates. Nonetheless, Ariel participates in all the class activities, he said Thursday as she worked diligently in a small group on a world studies handout. Ariel aspires to be a preschool teacher and would like to attend Rogue Community College to get a preschool certificate, said Rogers. “If my daughter chooses to get a one-year certificate, she probably won’t need federal financial aid, but if she chooses to go on, that might be something we would explore,” Rogers said. Either way, Rogers was thrilled with the changes around modified diplomas. “I think it’s fabulous,” she said. “I think all children should be afforded the same opportunities regardless of their abilities.” Reach reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt. By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 26, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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