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1. Tests & Measurements is Still #1
"Your article on 'Understanding Tests and Measurements' is invaluable. I recommend it to all parents."
"Your article 'Understanding Tests and Measurements' is an excellent reference for parents and should be read in all teacher education programs. I am a parent of a child with special needs, who has a MSED degree. The details of testing and measurement can be confusing and IEP planning tedious. I will recommend this to friends."
2. Tests & Measurements Slide Show
We developed a PowerPoint slide show to teach you how to use test data and how to chart progress. Graphs of the child's test scores can be used as dramatic visual aids to show educational progress or lack of progress (regression).
Parents and advocates can use "progress graphs" at IEP meetings to support their request for a different special education program. Attorneys can use "progress graphs" at due process hearings to show lack of progress (regression) in the current program.
Here is how the slide show is organized. This child was evaluated four times (in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995). We made a graph of the child's standard scores. We converted the standard scores to percentile ranks (information about how to do this is in the "Tests and Measurements" article), then made graphs of the child's educational achievement scores as percentile ranks.
Despite five years of special education, this child made little progress in academic skills. These graphs were used as evidence in one of our cases.
Slide Show as PowerPoint Presentation (204 kb):
3. More resources on Assessment & High Stakes Testing
Do you have questions about high stakes testing of children with disabilities? Get a copy of the OSEP Memorandum on Assessment published by the U. S. Department of Education.
"Assessing Children for the Presence of a Disability" by Betsy Waterman, available from from NICHY.
CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS
Oregon settled a class action lawsuit over "high stakes" assessment and students with LD.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) agreed to end "flagging" on some of its tests. Flagging identifies students who receive accommodated testings.
4. Wrightslaw Schedule: Yakima, WA;Montery; Washingotn D.C.
Here's where we will be speaking in March and April:
March 30-31: Best in the Northwest Conference, Yakima, WA.
The 10th Annual Best in the Northwest Conference will be held March 30-31 in Yakima, Washington.
For more information about this conference, speakers, and registration.
April 19-21, 2001. Fifth Annual NLD Symposium, Monterey, California
Keynote: “Effective Special Education Advocacy: Use Tactics and Strategies to Get Services and Resolve Disputes”
April 27, 2001. The Power of One Conference & Rally, Washington, DC