NYS testing - no testing modifications allowed

We had the same problem with our third grade son in our Ohio school district. Despite an IEP which clearly stated he should be allowed appropriate accommodations (extra time) on tests, including standardized tests, the direct service personnel told us that “this would not be allowed” on the standardized test taken at the end of the third grade, the almighty CT-Terra Nova.

We contacted our attorney, who basically said, “We’ll see about that!”. At her direction, we wrote a letter to the school district Central Office educrats outlining our son’s disability (receptive/expressive language disabilities), the contents of his IEP, and asked for “Administrative Review” of this decision. Within one business day, the very pleasant head educrat of Special Ed called me and magically said that our request of the extra time accommodation would be “no problem”. He, rather sadly, however, reported that these kinds of accommodations “skew” the test results for the district, which is why they don’t want to accommodate special ed students.

I shared with him the recently published article in the U.S. Today newspaper which cited research which showed that the only students who improve their test scores on standardized tests with accommodations are, indeed, special needs students. The research further indicated that students with no identified disabilities (i.e., normal students) DO NOT improve their scores even when allowed extra time.

He was very polite, but “shined me on” with regard to the article. I came to the conclusion that these folks are very invested in their “assessments” and greatly resent anyone who says, “Hey, let’s look at this another way.” Whatever. The bottom line is that our son will get what he needs. What is sooooo sad, however, is that many parents without the kinds of resources we have (note: I’m not talking about strictly financial resources; I’m talking about our intense commitment to getting our exceptional child appropriately educated coupled with the “know-how” to get through to the right people) readily accept what the school district “says” their policy is, without questioning it.

I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to seek out what the laws in their state say with regard to school district compliance with I.D.E.A., etc.

I know where I live my chldren do not have to take any of these tests. I can object to them taking the SAT 9’s or any other tests for that matter. Rather than place my kids under additional pressure, I just tell the school they won’t be taking those test.

I asked a local advocate group about this today and they said that I couldn’t have her miss these tests. They also said that the test was to determine if the school was meeting her needs and may help get her more services. I then said that she was in need of a re-evaluation ( as per the district’s letter) and therefore couldn’t they use those results instead. I was told no.

I am naturally suspicious of the “local advocates”, as no one I’ve ever spoken to in my area has gotten either accurate information or relevant assistance from our local group in Central Ohio. Their mission in our locale seems to be more of assisting we parents in being compliant and cooperative when dealing with school officials. When pushed a bit, they usually respond that since all the regulations have changed (as of July 1, 2002 in Ohio), they just really haven’t been able to keep up and that’s why they don’t have answers on many occasions. (I challenge someone to try that line of bull with the IRS!).

Anyway, I don’t know what state you’re in, etc., but your child is certainly afforded federal protections under I.D.E.A. If what they say seems “hinky” to you, it probably is. Find another, more knowledgeable resource, such as an educational rights attorney. Just consulting with an educational rights attorney doesn’t mean you have to bring their name up to the school district, or ever even indicate you’ve consulted. We’ve never had to have our counsellor make an appearance or speak to anyone at the school district, but consulting with her was the best $100 bucks we ever spent, just to make sure we knew how to protect our child’s rights to an individualized, appropriate education in the “least restrictive environment”.

Good luck, and “keep fighting the good fight”!

We live on LI in NY and my dd has an iep with modifications for testing She was able to get extra time and (taking the test in the resource room ) and directions read to her for the terra nova ‘s last year and I assume for the Ela’s later this year. I am not worried about the ela’s in that the results are mailed home and I don’t think I will show them to her (as I did not last year with the nova’s) .They are really to mandate help for those children who aren’ t getting enough help.
Cathy