The number of students with disabilities earning high school diplomas increased for the
eleventh consecutive year. In 1996-97, 70.8% of students who completed secondary education
earned a high school diploma. This represents an increase of 3.5% over the previous year.
Percentages of students with disabilities in public and non-public schools scoring above
the Statewide Reference Point increased on each Pupil Evaluation Program (PEP) test as
follows: Grade 3 Reading, +15.6%; Grade 3 Math, +11.5%; Grade 5 Writing, +9.2%; Grade 6
Reading, +15.0%; and Grade 6 Math, +9.8%.
For the third year, increasing numbers of preschool children and school-age students
with disabilities are learning in integrated settings (i.e. settings which include
nondisabled students). In 1996-97, 37.2% of preschool children were provided special
education services in integrated settings; an increase of 4.9% over the previous year.
Increasing numbers of individuals with disabilities are being placed in jobs through the
provision of VESID services, and increasing numbers are being placed in competitive
employment. In Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 1997, the number of individuals placed in jobs
increased by 4.7% overall; the number of competitive placements increased 4.5%.
Individuals with disabilities placed in jobs by VESID in FFY 1997 contributed $186.9
million in annualized first year earnings and $22.6 million in public assistance savings.
Significant numbers of students with disabilities in public and private schools, who
took the Regents exams passed. In 1996-97, 57.1% of students scored 65 or above on the
Regents Comprehensive Examination in English and 46.9% scored similarly on Sequential Math
Course I.
