Tennessee student with autism will be given high school diploma

From The Tennessean:

A phone call at 6 a.m. May 15 gave Ryan McFolin the news he’d waited a year to hear.

The McGavock High School senior would get his diploma, and with it his chance to go to college.

“I was half awake,” Ryan said, “but I was like, ‘Yay!’ ”

Ryan learned he’d passed the state’s Gateway algebra test required for him to earn his regular diploma. It was the last hurdle for the 18-year-old, who has a form of autism and had distinguished himself during his school career in almost every way — except for algebra, thanks to his severe learning disability in math.

A Tennessean article last month told Ryan’s story: He’s a history whiz who has the ability to obtain a wealth of information, a common characteristic of Asperger’s syndrome. He had surpassed all other graduation requirements and passed the English and biology Gateways.

But without passing the algebra Gateway, he could earn only a special education diploma. And that would keep him from attending college to pursue his goal of a doctorate in history or theology.

After failing the algebra Gateway twice, he spent several months tutoring and taking preparatory classes before sitting again for the test on May 5.

Ryan’s mother, Phyllis McFolin, answered the phone Friday, not sure who would be calling so early.

“It was his counselor from McGavock,” she said. “I went right in to Ryan and told him he passed. He was grinning from ear to ear.”

Don McFolin, Ryan’s father, had filed a lawsuit claiming the state was denying his son a diploma because of a learning disability. He said he intends to press ahead.

“I am still going to push to get a disability exemption law passed, and I’m not going to stop until it’s signed by the governor,” he said.

In the fall, the testing requirements for graduation will get harder. The incoming freshman class will have to pass end-of-course exams in each subject. For math, that includes algebras I and II, geometry and a higher-level course such as trigonometry.

“If a student has a disability in one math, how do they expect them to do three?” Don McFolin said. “Your dropout rate and student frustration are going to increase. These educators do not know what they are causing.”

After the April 20 story in The Tennessean, math teachers from all over the state wanted to tutor Ryan. His high school family came out to support him.

“We’re all very elated,” said Lisa Bonelli, a teacher at McGavock. “Ryan stopped me in the hallway and he was just smiling. I am so happy for him.”

In the fall, Ryan will begin the next phase of his education at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, and transfer after his first year to a yet-to-be decided four-year school, his mother said.

But first, they will celebrate.

“Sunday is graduation and we’re going to have a party with family and friends,” said Phyllis McFolin, a McGavock alumna. “We’re so excited.”