NCLB: New policy announced
On April 7, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced a new policy regarding students with disabilities and calculation of adequate yearly progress. The new policy allows states to develop modified academic achievement standards and to use alternate assessments based on those modified standards for students with persistent academic disabilities and served under the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
This new policy is similar to the flexibility announced last year regarding students with significant cognitive disabilities. Currently, 1 percent of those students tested and scoring proficient are included in the calculation of adequate yearly progress.
Beginning in 2005-06, states may include this newly determined group of students with disabilities – up to 2 percent of the total population tested – in the calculation of adequate yearly progress as required under No Child Left Behind.
The U.S. Department of Education is expected to release a notice of proposed rulemaking on the new policy this spring. As information becomes available, the South Dakota Department of Education will share it with local school districts.
To view the announcement online, go to: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/raising/alt-assess.html
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