As much as I hate to say this, but W (voted for him twice) is not doing these SPED kids any favors with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. In a nutshell NCLB has 5 levels on standardized tests: Reading and Math are the only subjects required to be tested, science and civics are not.
Advanced is well above grade level
Proficient is above grade level
Nearing Proficient is at grade level
Progressing is below grade level
Step 1 is well below grade level
As legislated by NCLB by the year 2012 100% of students must be at the proficient level - which I have absolutely no problem with, but when that INCLUDES the SPED kids I have a major problem with that. The major problem is that teachers will start, if they haven't already, teaching to the test with their normal kids. That in its self will limit the time in which a teacher can teach. Now throw in the SPED kids and you've got yourself a pretty good mess and there is no way that these SPED kids can make proficient at their proper grade level. www.dese.state.mo.us is the site for Missouri. Use the school data link at the left and then choose a school district and then find the MAP test scores link. Don't get me wrong I think that having some sort of standard is a good thing but 100% of all students above their respective grade level??? Also, I know that Missouri accepts the obligation to work one on one if needed with SPED kids until they reach the age of 21.
Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.
What does that mean to you? The teachers here don't know what questions will be asked. They have to teach reading comprehension and basic algebra and math skills.
What's wrong with teachers doing that? Isn't that what they should be doing?