| Previously, the Virginia schools were | | | | students who are not apt to reach grade |
| required to test, under the No Child | | | | level achievement within the same |
| Left Behind Act, many of its children | | | | timeframe as their peers without |
| with disabilities in reading, math and | | | | disabilities, they will be able to take |
| science, regardless of their ability to | | | | a modified test. |
| do so. Unless they were severely | | | | Special tests will be written for |
| disabled, the children had to take | | | | individual students on their grade level |
| state-required tests for their grade | | | | content but at their level of |
| level whether or not they had the | | | | understanding and ability. Otherwise, a |
| skills and understanding. Thus, many of | | | | Virginia schools fifth grade, disabled |
| these special students failed the tests. | | | | child with a third grade understanding |
| Testing grades were third, eighth and | | | | will take a test at a third grade level |
| 11th on an annual basis. | | | | of comprehension on the fifth grade |
| This caused several problems that were | | | | content. To ensure the new regulations |
| frustrating for both the Virginia | | | | are not abused, schools can test up to |
| schools educators and the children: | | | | an additional two percent of students, |
| Their test scores were pulling down the | | | | who meet the eligibility requirements, |
| school state rankings. Virginia schools | | | | under the modified testing rules. |
| are required to meet annual student | | | | The federal government will give states |
| achievement goals based upon these test | | | | more than $21 million to cover the cost |
| scores. If they do not meet the goals, | | | | of creating the new tests and guidelines |
| Virginia schools experience many | | | | for their use. The new tests are slated |
| possible sanctions, such as losing | | | | to be put into service by the 2008-2009 |
| students to better scoring schools, | | | | school year. |
| reorganizing or closing. | | | | With the new changes, state rankings of |
| It made the students feel like failures, | | | | the Virginia schools will more |
| since they do not have the capacity to | | | | accurately reflect the true achievements |
| participate fully in the testing process | | | | (or lack thereof) of each school. |
| at their grade level. | | | | Additionally, Virginia schools teachers |
| Virginia schools educators had no | | | | will be able to use the test scores to |
| accurate indicator as to how well these | | | | target problem areas for each of these |
| students were progressing or failing. | | | | children. The students can more fully |
| Since the testing was created for the | | | | participate in the testing process, |
| non-disabled child at grade level, there | | | | showing teachers and parents what they |
| was no accurate benchmark or test to | | | | have learned and how they are |
| show how these disabled children were | | | | progressing. |
| progressing and what might be needed to | | | | The new modifications for Virginia |
| do a better job for them. | | | | schools testing are a welcomed change by |
| In April 2007, the U.S. Education | | | | students, educators and parents alike, |
| Department modified its rules governing | | | | making the Virginia schools testing a |
| the testing of special education | | | | more useful tool not just a hit or miss |
| children. For those Virginia schools | | | | measurement. |