Mikayla wanted to take a Child Development class but was told she couldn’t enroll in any of her high school’s vocational programs. Mikayla’s family contacted DRC-NH. We investigated and discovered that five other high school students had been removed from the school’s vocational classes. The reason the school gave was that the students required accommodations. The school also refused to waive prerequisites for the program including algebra.
Our attorney found that the school had misinterpreted federal vocational education guidelines. We clarified for the school that the guidelines allow for modifications to enable students with disabilities to participate in vocational programs. The NH Department of Education changed its policies to comply with federal guidelines, and Mikayla and other special education students were able to enroll in vocational education classes.
