I have to admit, I haven't been following closely the battle to exempt special education students from federal testing in Texas. Last year, only 1% were allowed to be exempt from the TAKS; Texas then battled to raise that to 3% this year. Nine percent were actually given an alternate exam two years ago, which has led some editorialists to insist than more than 9% of Texas's students are disabled, while other experts insist that 9% is way too high.
Almost one in ten seems a very high number to me, too, but I'm not a special education expert. I don't know how they decided on that number, given that the guidelines state that if the TAKS is an appropriate measure for a special education student, no alternate test should be given.
If anyone out there has any interesting links on the topic that they'd like to share, send 'em my way.
Posted by kswygert at July 12, 2005 04:24 PM