(Based on Department of Public Instruction Guidelines)
The River Valley School District supports the right of all handicapped children to be provided equal educational opportunities and equal access to programs and services that are afforded non-handicapped children. Exceptional education students should have the same opportunity to acquire and demonstrate competence in various academic areas as non-handicapped students.
Procedures used for the testing of students for Standard (r) and Standard (s) should be consistent with procedures that are already in place to serve these students. The purposes and procedures for testing to meet these standards should be appropriate and well understood by parents, administrators, support staff, and teachers. This will require careful development of policies and procedures, as well as clear communication and inservice training to all people involved.
The Individual Educational Program (IEP) process should serve as the vehicle for making decisions about the inclusion or exclusion of a student in testing to meet Standard (r) and Standard (s), and on any modifications that need to be made in test administration. The IEP serves as the basis for specifying the child's educational program, including the student's present level of performance or competence, long and short-term objectives, and the means of evaluating mastery of objectives. It also requires parent involvement, if at all possible. The District recommends that the IEP meeting be used not only to address the EEN child's educational program, but also to develop a plan for each child's participation in the district's testing program, including testing for Standard (r) and Standard (s). Participants at the IEP meeting should determine whether the child's educational program is reflected in the various tests, that is, whether the material taught is the material covered by the tests, and whether any modifications in testing, such as large print editions, answers recorded by an aide, or small group or individual administration, need to be made. Any modifications in the administration of the tests should be such that what is measured by the tests remains the same.
In order to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and to ensure that the goals set forth above are achieved, the following minimum requirements for testing students with EEN are established:
1. Decisions regarding testing will be made on an individual basis and will be documented in the student’s IEP for each student having an EEN.
2. Test results will not be used as the sole criterion in determining grade promotion, eligibility for course and programs, eligibility for graduation or eligibility for participation in postsecondary education opportunities.
If a student’s IEP does not address the decision regarding the pupil’s participation in taking the test, the parent of any student with EEN shall be notified, in writing, at least 30 days prior to the administration of the test, regarding the pupil’s inclusion or exemption from the test. The notice shall include (a) the criteria used in determining the pupil’s inclusion or exemption from the test; and (b) an explanation of how the results of the test will be use, if tested. The parent will also be notified promptly of test results.
LEGAL REF.: Department of Public Instruction Standard (r) and (s)
P.I. 16.07-16.09, Wis. Admin. Code
APPROVED: September 12, 1991
REVISED: August 13, 1998
APPROVED: September 10, 1998
12/21/2004 pw