I am actually still floored by what I found out the other day at my last team meeting. My son is currently in a 504 Plan and I am fighting for an IEP. He is on probably about a 3rd grade reading and math level and he’s in 8th grade! Yet, he tests average or below average on his achievement tests.
When I asked to see a copy of the test questions, I was not shown. However, the school psychologist gave me an example of one of the test questions.
“Some fish live in the sea”. The child then has to check yes or no. So, not only are the scores inflated (which my advocate advised), but they are specifically designed so that children like my son will pass!
I also found out that if the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement is administered along with the Woodcock Johnson Test of Cognitive Abilities…it would not only lead to more accurate results, but also be able to better assess for certain Learning Disabilities! Yet, my son’s school will not administer the Cognitive Test?
I then found out the the test with the “ridiculous” questions is called “Form A” Apparently, it is Form B that actually contains questions that are more on his grade level. No wonder why they kept administering Form A the last 4 times that I referred him through the Special Education Process!
Just wanted to share this new info.
Re: Why the Woodcock Johnson Test is a joke
Dawn, I can really identify with your frustration.
I felt panicked throughout the 12 years of my dtr’s pre-college education. When she was tested at age 8 and 16, we were told “she has her own learning style.” The recommended tutoring did not help. At age 18, a very special physician looked at the testing and said it was probably misinterpreted. He referred my dtr to a neuropsychologist with an excellent reputation in the Chicago North shore suburbs. She dx dyslexia with a strong visual learning style (thinking in pictures, not words) and referred my dtr to the Davis method for dyslexia correction. The method also helps with math problems and attention (AD, ADHD) problems.
The Davis method really is hard to understand if one analyzes it, especially for a verbal sequential learner like myself. But, we tried it, and my dtr is doing so well. She is enrolled in a reasonalbly out-of-town rigorous university and got on the Dean’s list for the first semester. The Davis remediation exercises are done daily. Her bf was trained as her “helper.” You might want to check out the book, The Gift of Learning, all about the Davis method, or the web site, dyslexia.com
Have you had a private evaluation done or asked for IEE?