Alabama’s special education students had a large role in systems’ throughout the state’s failure to meet federal No Child Left Behind Act adequate yearly progress goals, leading educators to call for reforms to the act.
Tommy Bice, vice-chancellor of the Alabama State Department of Education, said NCLB rules that require special education students take and pass the same tests as other students have had good and ill effects.
Bice said the requirements have forced schools to focus more attention on getting special education students to perform to their full potential. Requiring them all to pass the same tests as other students is unrealistic, Bice said. Instead, getting all special education students to pass the tests should be a goal, not a requirement schools are penalized for if they fall short.
About 11 percent of Alabama students are classified as being in special education. Special education covers a broad range of disabilities, including ADHD and autism.
In the Dothan City Schools, more than 1,000 students are considered to be special education students. Three of four Dothan City Schools that missed AYP listed poor performance of special education students as a reason for their failure.
Carol Cunningham, director of exceptional student services, said much of the problems the schools have had with special education and AYP this year stems from the elimination of a 2 percent leeway school systems formerly had to meet standards.
Bice believes that when lawmakers take up the reauthorization of NCLB, they will likely address concerns about special education students and the act.
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