ASHLAND COUNTY - WEST HOLMES CAREER CENTER
                                                             Board of 
Education
                        1783 State Route 50, RED 5            President
                        Ashland, Ohio 44805-9377              Vice-President
                                (419)289-3313                 Members
                              FAX(419)289-3728

July 23, 1992

Mr. Patrick Keys, Director
State Board of Cosmetology
8 East Long Street, Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Mr. Keys:

As superintendent of the Ashland County-West Holmes Joint
Vocational School District I am writing this letter on behalf
of (b)(6), a June, 1992 graduate of Hillsdale High
School and a completer of our district's Cosmetology program.

Miss (b)(6) was a Learning Disabled (LD) student while in
attendance in our school district and the Hillsdale Local
School District. She successfully completed the laboratory
and classroom hours required to take the State Board
Cosmetology test this past spring. While a student, Miss (b)(6)
education in our school followed the requirements of
the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) as required under the
handicapped guidelines. Her IEP identified that she was
required to have interventions which included someone reading
daily work and reading tests to Miss (b)(6) and permitting her
to answer questions orally. Under Ohio and Federal law,
handicapped students must follow an IEP in order to insure
that the educational plan is followed and, that the student
has an equal opportunity to learn without discrimination.

Unfortunately, when Miss (b)(6) took the State Board of
Cosmetology written test (taken two times), a reader was not
provided to assist her. Therefore, Miss(b)(6) was not
provided an equal opportunity to pass the written State Board
test without discrimination due to the fact she was not
provided a reader to assist her. The purpose of my letter is
to request a reader be provided for Miss (b)(6) on the next
testing date she selects. This request has been asked before
by our teacher Mrs. (b)(6) and other interested parties.
continued . . .

                "Working Together-We Build Successful Careers"

01-01501

Mr. Patrick Keys, Director
July 23, 1992
Page 2

Mr. Keys, (b)(6) has the capability to be a licensed
Cosmetologist. All(b)(6) needs is an equal opportunity
to take the test so she can evidence her knowledge and skill.
has the right under the constitution of both the
United States and the State of Ohio for an equal opportunity
as a handicapped person to take the State Board test.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American
With Disabilities Act of 1990, as well as Titles VI, VII, and
IX, give Miss (b)(6) the right as an American citizen and
resident of this great State of Ohio to an equal opportunity
to take the State Board of Cosmetology test. As
superintendent and as an educator interested in the welfare
of all students regardless of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap, I appeal to you, Mr. Keys,
to permit Miss (b)(6) to have the opportunity to use a reader
to assist her in the written examination of the State Board
of Cosmetology test. I thank you for your time and sincere
interest in this very critical issue regarding a student who
has successfully completed the Cosmetology program in our
school regardless of her handicap! Please give this person
an equal opportunity for success and a positive future. I
will look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,

David A. Kovach
Superintendent

db
cc: The Honorable George V. Voinovich, Governor
    Mr. Lee I. Fisher, Ohio Attorney General
    The Honorable Donald J. Pease, U.S. Representative
    The Honorable Richard P. Schafrath, Ohio Senator
    The Honorable Ronald D. Amstutz, Ohio Representative
    The Honorable L. Eugene Byers, Ohio Representative
    Mrs. Martha W. Wise, State Board of Education
    Dr. Ted Sanders, Ohio Supt. of Public Instruction
    Dr. Irene Sandy-Hedden, Asst. Supt. of Public Instr.
    Dr. John Herner, Ohio Director of Special Education
    Dr. Darrell L. Parks, Dir., Ohio Div. of Vocational Ed.
    Ms. Margaret Lawson, Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
    American Civil Liberties Union
    (b)(6)
    Mrs. Vicky Senff, Special Needs Coordinator, AC-WHJVSD
    Mrs. Lynn Keefer, Sr. Cosmetology Instructor, AC-WHJVSD
01-01502