Comments on: Long tests are even longer for some special education students

By: Burujah

Burujah — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:34:00 +0000

I agree the length of time is awkward for children with special needs. As I was reading the article I thought about modifying the test to be taken for shorter time spans on more days as an alternative. Most adults aren’t comfortable and remain focused for the length of time necessitated to take these exams. Are these tests designed for failure?

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:08:00 +0000

I have worked in special education in the public schools for 35 years. Until a few years ago, students with IEPs did not take “high-stakes” tests because they did not give us additional or better information regarding their present levels of functioning, areas of need, and areas of strength than we already had. “Advocates” for students with disabilities pushed hard to give students with IEPs the “opportunity” to be stressed and tortured by standardized high-stakes tests that would not help them. These “Advocates” successfully convinced ignorant legislators that it was discriminatory to exempt these students from these NCLB-inspired tests. I have seen some of my students put their heads down and cry when subjected to these tests. It is completely irrational, and borders on abuse, to administer these worthless tests to vulnerable students who are doomed to fail on tyhem.

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:38:00 +0000

Here in Mississippi all state exams are not timed meaning students could work on them as long as they like. Last fall all our sophomores were working on the state English II exam from 8:30 until 2:00 with a half hour lunch break. At least one student worked until nearly 5pm. It is truly overkill! Next year the test will be broken into 2 days, but it is still too long for any child!

By: Bbflack

Bbflack — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:26:00 +0000

I totally agree! One of the ways that I deal with this issue is to give the testing accommodation of multiple test sessions over a two-day period. The students take half of the test one day and the other half the next day. They are not allowed to look back at the first half. This is especially good for a student that you think could actually do well on the test and pass it. These lengthy tests are marathons for children who struggle with reading and the passages can be three pages long! I believe that you can test a student’s reading ability just as well with shorter passages! I would love to see some of the test writers sit down and take the test!

By: parent

parent — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:13:00 +0000

there are no negative consequences. My child was very sick last year, missed the ELA and the makeup testing period. He did have to take a promotion test at the end of the year (which he said was very easy and short). As long as your child will be going to a zoned middle school, missing the test doesn’t mean anything.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:31:00 +0000

What are the implications if a parent chooses to have their child “opt out” of testing?