7B: Courtney Cruz Response to Sandy Zeman

Fair Test Taking Strategies for Students with Exceptional Learning Needs

I was very interested in your topic because I have a class of 1-3 graders and every year I give the OAA to my group of 3^rd graders and I see the pain that it causes them.  I was curious to see what kinds of fair test taking strategies you would address.

I read how you talked about giving students alternative assessments on state testing.  You named three alternative assessments: performance, authentic, and portfolio.  These are great methods in which to allow students with exceptional needs to be successful.

Unfortunately, the state does not make it easy to give these.  There is a requirement of a percentage of the students in a given school population that can take the alternative assessment.  It is not just an IEP team’s job (though I wish it was).  Because my school has a population of 60 special education students (most of which I could probably give cause for taking an alternative assessment or complete a student portfolio), however, the state tells us we are only allowed to have approx. 2% of the population take that alternative assessment and it ends up being the students with the lowest IQ scores. 

I really liked how you addressed the difference between a modification and an accommodation.  At times, in my career I have seen the need to remind teachers of this, especially at the general ed. level.  In fact, when I first began teaching in the field of special education I, too, struggled to understand the difference between the two.  Now, after writing IEPs for over 6 years, I truly see the need even to teach parents about the difference. 

I must agree with you about the positive and negative impact on test scores when it comes to accommodations.  I have witnessed both.  At my school, we have begun practicing the OAA once a month at my school, though I don’t like how it takes away from the teaching time, it is benefiting my students in understanding strategies in taking the test.  None of my students read on grade level, in fact, there aren’t many independent readers until the 4^th/5^th grade which makes it so difficult to take tests.  However, being able to read the questions aloud really gives them a chance.  So, I am 100% for accommodations for all students, but those who write the IEPs really do need to make them fit the need of the child!

Thank you so much for sharing your research.