Is No Child Left Behind Good for Special Education?
Six years ago the U.S. passed the No Child Left Behind law, sending states and school districts into an uproar. It required parents needed to be included in education, that schools needed “Highly Qualified Teachers” , scientifically based reading instruction, tutoring and supplemental educational services, research-based teaching methods, and school and school district report cards.
I lived and taught in Michigan at the time and as a teacher it was a big change. Now, as a special education parent I enjoy having a checks and balances system in place.
Under the law schools must advance every year toward the goal of having every student proficient in reading and math by 2014. Schools must also improve their testing scores grades 3 through 8 even with children who are minorities or who have disabilities.
The No Child Left Behind Act MANDATES that schools raise the achievement level of special needs students.
However, does this mean that IEP goals are changed to accommodate the testing?
The Washington Post states that many special needs children made significant gains but that the goal of making all kids proficient is unrealistic.
Fairfax County School Superintendent Jack D. Dale said the law has led to more focus on students with disabilities, English-language learners and others previously “lost in the averages.” With better training and technology to help special-needs students learn, he said, teams of teachers routinely work together to customize education.
If the goal is unrealistic are we then dumbing down? Unfortunately…looks like we may be.
The reality for our children is that they may just have a fair and equal education because of this law. Because states are now held accountable for students with disabilities they are forced to show their improvement from year to year. Lets just hope that they don’t adjust their IEP’s too much for the test taking assistance.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
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March 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
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June 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
MISSISSIPPI LEAVES ASPERGER BOY BEHIND! 4 YEARS, 4 DOCTORS, STILL NO 504 OR IDEA, NO SERVICES. NICKS DOCTOR WANTED TO GO INTO THE SCHOOL TO WATCH HIM. SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED INTO THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL HAND BOOK TELLS THAT NO ONE GOES INTO THE SCHOOL. AT 6′0 AND 190LBS THE SCHOOL SENT HOME A NOTE THAT NICK WAS CRAWING UNDER DESK AND LAYING OUT IN THE FLOOR. THE COACH MAKE NICK CRAW ON THE GROUND UNTIL HIS HANDS BLEED. I MADE A POLICE REPORT ON THIS ONE. THE POLICE MAN WENT TO SCHOOL, THE PRINCPAL TOLD THE POLICE MAN THAT IT WAS AN IN HOUSE PUNSHMENT. HE COMES HOME WITH BRUSES. THE SCHOOL GIVES HIM FRIENDS (THE BUDDY SYSTEM). NICK IS SO LEFT BEHIND. WHAT KIND OF A PERSON IS THIS MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL MAKING. MISSISSIPPI SENDS MORE MONEY ON ATTORNEYS FIGHTING SPECAIL EDUCATION, THAN ON SPECIAL EDUCATION ITS SELF. NO ONE IN THIS STATE WILL HELP MY NICK. NO ONE WILL STEP ON THE STATES TOES. PLEASE PLEASE HELP MY SON. ROBIN HODGES 601-605-6030 OR 601-405-1958
August 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON DC HAS MADE A CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOL ON NICKS BEHALF. PLEASE, PLEASE CALL MR. TAYLOR ON NICKS BEHALF! HATE TO GET OUR HOPES UP, WHEN WE HAVE BEEN LET DOWN SO MANY TIMES. PLEASE PRAY THAT NICK GETS THE SERVICES FROM SCHOOL THAT HE NEEDS, THANKS ROBIN