testing & grad requirements ?'s

[Chester]

I know that this belongs over in the education section, but I'm "cramming" for our IEP meeting this afternoon and appreciate all the comments I can get.

We're working on JT's transition into Kindy, but I want to understand the requirements down the road RE: state/fed testing and graduation requirements. I'm incorportating this into my "dialogue" RE: LRE, and JT's IEP.

Testing: The way I read it is, that due to No Child Left Behind, ALL kids have to partake in testing. Accomodations can be made... Those of you that have kids in this age group will have to let me know what actually happens. (I am planning on asking the school personell about this as well, but I want to understand, so they can't spin it on me.)

This was the most reader friendly info I've found so far.

www.directionservice.org/cadre/materials/4_6/Statewide%20&%20Districtwide%20Assessments.pdf

Graduation: I know this has been discussed here on Uno and I didn't pay much attention to it having a 5 year old. Wish I would have, because I now see that I need to see the "big" picture. Looks like it differs from state to state. Some states offer IEP completion certificates OR if the students are capable of meeting graduation requirements, they may recieve a diploma. Any advice here?

My thought process is to make JT's IEP truly individual, we need to consider how we are going to help him to meet the requirements down the road, and that starts by the services he will receive in kindy.

Thanks!
Dawn

[haleysmom2]

We are kind of dealing with this right now - Haley is going to middle school next year - they are suggesting a lifeskills program which falls under the Alternate Assessment category. IEP is next week - we are actually NOT putting her in lifeskills but a more academic rich environment at least for the next few years. My understanding is at this point if Haley at any time during her school years goes into lifeskills program she would most likely receive a cert. of completion as opposed to an actual diploma.

We are from RI - they have what is called ans Alternate Assessment. This is from the state website

The Rhode Island Alternate Assessment (RIAA) is for the small number of students who cannot participate in large-scale assessments even with accommodations. The RIAA is based on Alternate Grade Span Expectations (AGSEs) in reading, mathematics, science, and writing that are an extension of the NECAP Grade Level Expectations (GLEs).

The RIAA assesses content knowledge through a series of Structured Performance Tasks. These tasks also incorporate and promote enhanced capacities and integrated life opportunities for students with moderate, severe, and profound disabilities. Teachers collect data and student work to assess the student's progress, accuracy, and independence. The collected evidence provides documentation to ensure that there is a connection between the academic content contained the AGSEs and the classroom instruction the student receives.

[MB]

I just found out this year (freshman year of high school) that my son will graduate with a HS diploma. My husband and I never asked about a diploma because we had bigger and better plans for our son. A diploma was not going to make or break his life. We want him to live away from home, have a job he loves, an active social life and my son threw in a faith life. All of these things can be accomplished without a diploma so it has never been on our radar.

I know he is regularly tested and the IEP team knows we are not too concerned. They are on board with our long term vision and we are all working hard to see that he makes these goals. We can report tremendous growth in all areas - academic, social, life skills and pre-employment skills so the diploma takes a back seat. Meeting the long term goals is paramount to his happiness. The diploma would be icing on the cake.

mb

[Kristin]

Some of it is going to depend upon what state you're in...or even the school district. Our high schools in town hold the graduation for all seniors. Special education students may participate in it and receive a diploma if they have passed the state requirements, or they may receive a certificate of completion of high school, which is the same certificate non-grads get. Our special education department also holds their own graduation. In fact it was held this morning. They do a shorter graduation for the students that can't handle the larger, longer, more stimulating ceremony. The principal still attends it and still hands out the diplomas.

As far as testing...there are alternative assessments that can give the school and parents more information about how the child is doing. Kindergarten students don't have to take the NCLB test. Doesn't it start with 1st grade? Right now, special education students are no longer exempt from the exit exam in CA. If they do not pass it, they will not receive a diploma...just the certificate of completion.