For the first time this year, the MCAS is required for a high school diploma in Massachusetts, and already a Democratic state senator has inserted an amendment into the most recent state budget which would allows special-needs students who don't pass the MCAS to receive a high-school diploma through a "special avenue". Currently, those that don't pass the MCAS must accept the "certificate of attainment" alternative, but that may soon change:
Spearheaded by state Sen. Cynthia Creem, D-Newton, the amendment targets the state Department of Education's decision to award "certificates of attainment" to special education students who meet their high schools' requirements for graduating but failed the MCAS...
Under Creem's proposal, a student with special needs would be eligible for an appeal if he or she has taken the MCAS at least three times or has submitted a portfolio at least two times; has maintained an adequate attendance record; and has participated in academic support services.
The appeal, which must be filed by the school superintendent at the request of a parent, will have to meet several criteria. For example, there must be proof that local graduation requirements have been met. A recommendation from the student's individualized education plan team that he or she is ready to graduate is another requirement.
This plan appears to have some checks and balances to prevent abuse of the system, but it's also likely to be used by the anti-testing crowd as one more piece of evidence that standardized tests are "unfair".
Posted by kswygert at June 26, 2003 03:50 PM