I have a Dyslexic child, 9th grade who is going to face these tests this year. We have an IEP and everything. My question is, what do you do if the state allowed modifications are not enough to help, and we are on a certificate track. It is my understanding that in our state, if you ask for any modifications they have to be allowable to still graduate with a diploma. The allowable accomondations are not going to help in the Biology exit exam. Having the test read, extra time, will help but these tests are VERY, VERY HARD! My child brought home a study sheet for some practice tests our school system thought might help. It is 32 pages long and it is broken down into 9 sections. We are on section 2 and it is on plant and animal cells. The test on just this part is going to be 5 or more pages. How are we going to study for these? Any comments would be appreciated. Having trouble in Tennessee.
Re: subject area tests
Thanks for the reply Lisa. I guess my gripe is that my child has fought tooth and nail to get where he is with a 70% passing on the IEP with no intervention. I mean no one from the school took my suggestions when he was in the 4th grade to teach application along with remeiation! If I had known that this was going to happen I would have taken him out of those resource classes. I think that this is where he got so far behind. As of now he is very worried, as I am, about these tests. I know or state wants to make sure our children are getting a better education, but I can’t see how they can take children who are in the 7th grade and above and expect them to be equal to or greater than their peers where these tests are concerned. I am writing a letter to our Congress to express my concerns. It seems that everyone is talking about this but no one has any answers. I am wondering what are they going to do with these children who don’t make the grade. Build more prisons? Because from where we are our state is only graduating 7% of it’s LD population. I am concerned that when they hit the 10th grade there are going to be a lot of dropouts. I wonder if they have thought about these figures? Are you guys on the diploma track to? How are you going to pass these tests? Does your state allow any accomondations for your tests? Thanks for the ear. TennesseeLisa wrote:
>
> My oldest son in 8th grade HAS to pass health in order to
> pass on to 9th grade. I have heard the health class is very
> difficult and even students without LD have a hard time
> passing. He also has to take a US Constitution test to be
> promoted to the 9th grade. I worry about these requirements
> and realize this is just the start for him. I am afraid by
> the time he is out of school I will have a full head of gray
> hair.
Re: subject area tests
Elaine, I am not sure about what accomodations will be available for my son once he hits high school. We don’t have his IEP until March. I do know that his semester of health just finished up and he passed with a D. I am happy with this since his average was 75.4 which here is only a D—but it is passing. I spoke with the neigbors son and he says the high school health is EASIER then the 7th and 8th grade health. Since my son loves history I don’t think he will have difficulty with the Constitution test required to pass the 8th grade. In November he took the MAT8 this test is going to be used for placement next year. What I dont like about that is none of the LD kids were allowed any accomodations to take this test. I see that they want to know what is going on with the kids but I fear this will be used to place them in all low level classes. If you arent able to take a certian number of regular classes you get a certficate of completion. I am comforted by the fact though that the high school he is gonna go to graduates 65 percent of their LD students.
Re: subject area tests
Hey Lisa, Just wanted to know why your child could not use any accomodations for the tests. Does your state allow any? You can find out by calling your Dept of Education Dept. (Special) and ask them for a copy of your states accomodations on tests. That’s what I did. That way you will know if your school district is following the law. I don’t know of any school system that is giving these exit exams not allowing some kind of services. Check it out and let me know. Good Luck. My son took phase two of his Biology last week. I am awaiting the results.
Re: subject area tests
These were not exit exams they were to determine placement for next year. My point was if they dont allow the accomodations wont the scores be effected—thus the kids being put in all low end classes. I know my son is capable of so much more when given the right tools. I just hate to see him limited due to a stupid test. I quess I will just have to wait and see how he did. Thanks for all the input. Good luck.
Re: subject area tests
Sorry Lisa I missed your point. Yes this will effect the placement for next year. That’s why I suggested that you contact your state dept. of education to find out exactly what they will allow. This way you will have more information to take to your school.
My oldest son in 8th grade HAS to pass health in order to pass on to 9th grade. I have heard the health class is very difficult and even students without LD have a hard time passing. He also has to take a US Constitution test to be promoted to the 9th grade. I worry about these requirements and realize this is just the start for him. I am afraid by the time he is out of school I will have a full head of gray hair.