Re-examining Testing of Special Needs Children?

In the state of California, a student must pass a high school exit exam in order to earn a diploma.  That basic theory reminds me of a reform idea Jeb Bush used in Florida, which would not let children progress to the 4th grade if they were not reading at a 3rd grade level.  Previously, the children who could not read were not 'discovered' until the 10th grade.  Once a child is in the 10th grade, they are more likely to drop out than to learn to read at that point in the game. 

So California students must pass this test in order to officially graduate.  It makes sense...what is the point in giving them a diploma if in fact they have  not been sufficiently educated?  On the other side of this coin, I am against over regulation by the government and the power they seem to have in every area of our lives. 

For several years, special education students in California were exempt from taking these tests, but currently they are required to do so.  On one hand, a child should be educated properly in order to graduate but special education children show different ways of learning.  This past year, nearly half of the special education students failed this exam.  The parents and the children are mortified, depressed, and angered at the testing methods.  An article in a StudyMBA blog  as well as the Los Angeles Times depicts the parents frustrations with the testing methods. 

If this were happening in Missouri to my child in the public schools, I would be more angry with the schools and its teaching than the tests.  I know many Missouri public schools that cannot effectively educate special needs children.  The state should allow the parents of those children to find schools that can educate them. 

Have the parents in California faced this issue and concern?  Undoubtedly, the parents are upset when their child fails, but perhaps it is the school's fault???

Special Needs Advocate?

Watching the Democratic and Republican Conventions had me on the edge of my seat...well, some of it at least.  As an aunt of a special needs child, I relate to Palin on some level.  I have witnessed my sister raise her 9 year old daughter with autism.  Things have not been easy for her, yet she is blessed with her amazing child nonetheless.  Everyday presents challenges, some knows and others completely unpredictable.  Sarah Palin promises to be an advocate if she and McCain are elected President and Vice President.  I have heard various things from special needs parents and their opinion on her stance.  While some parents aren't convinced because no specifics were laid out, others were quite pleased knowing that not only a mother, but a mother of special needs, knows what works and what doesn't.  She will do her best to help these children and their families. 

    

Of course, other critics are concerned with her stance on school choice and whether choice would only drain money from public education and special public education.  Well, here is where I am baffled by those critics of not only Palin but choice itself.  My sister has struggled all these years to get good education for her daughter.  If she were allowed choice, she could have chosen to send her child to a neighboring public school with an amazing special education program or to the private school just two blocks away that has better services for special needs children.  Educational choices are incredibly important to all parents, but especially those with special needs children. 

    

I hope and pray for all families like my sister's that Palin not only advocates for special needs children in other areas, but for educational choices.  With her intentions to help special needs families and her support of school choice, I think we could have a great combination on our hands. 

    

Many other states have created programs that allow children with special needs to receive scholarships that can be used at any public or private school, and the results have been astounding.  Not only has the parental satisfaction level skyrocketed, but the children's success is through the roof. 

    

This past year, Missouri legislators were not up to the task to allow for such a program, but hopefully they will soon realize it needs to be done. 

 

This is from a blog: "Blessed with Autism":

The central concern of many parents with children who have special needs is the financing to fulfill the decades-old federal mandate requiring public schools to offer educational services to their children — or pay for them in nonpublic school settings.

Exactly my point...give them the choice to go to nonpublic settings.  What have we got to lose?