Standardized state assessments are integral components of what school Districts and school communities are responsible for under NCLB (No Child Left Behind). All students, including students with disabilities are included under NCLB accountability. Students with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations under IDEA law and IEP diagnostic testing. Administrative and teacher accountability are necessary in providing optimal learning communities for students with special needs and learning accommodations.
Administrative Accountability
- IDEA requires testing of all students with disability with the required accommodations in place per the student's IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
- Schools must administer annual standardized testing in reading, writing, math and science assessments for all students
- Testing data must be disaggregated to show diagnostic and descriptive assessment results for individualized students in the subject areas tested.
- ELL (English Language Learners) must be tested annually and be provided necessary accommodations under NCLB according to English language attainment and proficiency levels prior to testing.
- Schools will be provided annual results under NCLB as to whether they have meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for increasing student achievement and success in the prescribed subject areas.
- Schools not meeting AYP student proficiency standards must provide parents with District options to transfer to schools that could better meet the academic proficiency needs of their children.
- Administrators can use the state assessment data and AYP results to provide school-wide professional development to teachers in informing instructional practices to meet the academic needs of students.
- Administrators can address and collaborate with PTSA parent groups on ways to increase student academic achievement in school communities.
Teacher Accountability
- Teachers must work with Administrators in understanding the interpretive nature of their student's state assessment data.
- Being able to understand the data will allow teachers an opportunity to redefine or redirect instructional strategies in working with students with disabilities who have IEPs and academic deficiencies to address.
- Teachers must be open to professional development and student academic data in assessing current instruction and reconstructing future instruction.
- Teachers can form collaborative partnerships with parents and students in addressing IEP accommodations in the classroom.
- Teachers can create transparency and inclusion in instructional practices for students under IDEA mandates.
- Teachers can celebrate student academic achievement in monthly "Student of the Month" acknowledgements for students with special needs.
NCLB and IDEA are laws that address the academic inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms. But laws shouldn't have to address the fact that all students should be provided with educational access and equity in all school communities.