Disability people need education too


New Testing Requirements For Children With Disabilities A Plus For Virginia Schools

Previously, the Virginia schools werestudents who are not apt to reach grade
required to test, under the No Childlevel achievement within the same
Left Behind Act, many of its childrentimeframe as their peers without
with disabilities in reading, math anddisabilities, they will be able to take
science, regardless of their ability toa modified test.
do so. Unless they were severelySpecial tests will be written for
disabled, the children had to takeindividual students on their grade level
state-required tests for their gradecontent but at their level of
level whether or not they had theunderstanding and ability. Otherwise, a
skills and understanding. Thus, many ofVirginia schools fifth grade, disabled
these special students failed the tests.child with a third grade understanding
Testing grades were third, eighth andwill take a test at a third grade level
11th on an annual basis.of comprehension on the fifth grade
This caused several problems that werecontent. To ensure the new regulations
frustrating for both the Virginiaare not abused, schools can test up to
schools educators and the children:an additional two percent of students,
Their test scores were pulling down thewho meet the eligibility requirements,
school state rankings. Virginia schoolsunder the modified testing rules.
are required to meet annual studentThe federal government will give states
achievement goals based upon these testmore 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 manyfor their use. The new tests are slated
possible sanctions, such as losingto 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 toaccurately 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 nowill be able to use the test scores to
accurate indicator as to how well thesetarget problem areas for each of these
students were progressing or failing.children. The students can more fully
Since the testing was created for theparticipate in the testing process,
non-disabled child at grade level, thereshowing teachers and parents what they
was no accurate benchmark or test tohave learned and how they are
show how these disabled children wereprogressing.
progressing and what might be needed toThe new modifications for Virginia
do a better job for them.schools testing are a welcomed change by
In April 2007, the U.S. Educationstudents, educators and parents alike,
Department modified its rules governingmaking the Virginia schools testing a
the testing of special educationmore useful tool not just a hit or miss
children. For those Virginia schoolsmeasurement.



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