HIGH
STAKES TESTING AND YOUR CHILD:
Promotion
Standards and the Waiver Process
For
the past six years, North Carolina has focused on making scores
on standardized tests the primary indicators of a child's success
or failure in school. "Standardized tests" are tests that are
given to large groups of students throughout North Carolina. The
tests are usually multiple choice and the students are asked to
pick the correct answer. Students are given a limited amount of
time to complete the tests. The standardized tests are an important
part of the Student Accountability Standards, a set of rules adopted
by the State Board of Education that must be followed by every
school system. Under these rules, all students in grades 3, 5,
and 8 take an end-of-grade exam in math and reading.
Once
the Standards are fully implemented, students in grades 3, 5,
and 8 who do not pass end-of-grade exams will have to repeat their
grade in most instances. The Standards, also known as Gateways,
are being officially used for fifth graders for the 2000-2001
school year. If your child was a fifth grader for the 2000-2001
year, his or her promotion was tied to the end-of-grade test scores.
Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, promotion decisions
for students in third and eighth grade will also be largely based
on their performance on end-of-grade tests. In addition, many
school systems in North Carolina are already using end-of-grade
test scores for promotion standards in all grades from three through
eight.
This
high-stakes testing program has placed a great deal of stress
on parents, students and teachers. You should have received information
from your child's school about the testing program, including
information about what to do if your child did not pass the test.
If you did not receive such information, you should contact the
school and request it. If the school does not have the information,
contact the local Superintendent's office.
The
information contained here is a general overview of statewide
policies and your school system may have additional specific policies
about testing. Therefore, it is best to also obtain information
from your school system.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT TESTING
My child passed
her end-of-grade tests; does this mean that she will be promoted?
The
Statewide Student Accountability Standards require that students
pass (make Level III or above) end-of-grade tests in both reading
and math and meet all local promotion requirements. It is possible
that a student may pass the end-of-grade tests and be retained
or held back because she did not meet the local promotion standards.
My
child did not pass the end-of-grade tests (did not make Level III)
on her first try. May she take the tests again?
Yes. Students who score below Level III on the end-of-grade tests
in math and reading may take the tests a second time. The second
administration of the tests must take place within a reasonable
time period from the date that the parents receive the child's
test results. Your local school system policy should have more
specific information about when your child may be retested.
Does she have to take a retest right away?
No. You may request that your child be excused from the second
administration of the test and instead have focused intervention
begin immediately. After the focused intervention is completed,
your child will take the test a second time.
What if my child fails on her second try?
She may take the test a third time. The local school system policy
will determine when the test is administered for a third time.
Before the third administration for the test, your child will
be given focused intervention for a time period that is educationally
sound. The local system will determine the length of the focused
intervention period. For example, your child may have to participate
in a summer school program before taking the test for a third
time.
What
is focused intervention?
Focused intervention means that your child will receive help in
mastering the skills necessary to succeed on the test. The assistance
will be designed to meet your child's specific needs, based on
an evaluation of what your child knows and is able to do.
My child is a sixth grader; will her test
scores be used to determine grade promotion?
It depends on the policy of your local school system. Many local
school districts in North Carolina are using end-of-grade test
scores for all students in grades three through eight to make
promotion decisions. You should be able to get an answer about
how the test scores will be used from your local school system.
My child failed the end-of-grade tests
but I believe that she is capable of moving on to the next grade
level. What can I do?
Either you or your child's teacher may request a promotion for
a child who scores below Level III on an end-of-grade test after
the second or third administration of the test. Such a request
is called a waiver.
What
happens after I request a waiver?
A
committee will be appointed to go over the waiver request. The
committee will be made up of teachers and a principal from another
school. If the student has a disability, then special education
personnel have to be on the committee.
Are
parents allowed on the waiver committee?
Yes.
Parents may participate on the committee and speak on behalf of
their child. However, parents may not vote in the committee's
decision to recommend that the child be promoted or retained.
What
will the waiver committee do?
The committee will review documentation about the child's performance
for the school year. After reviewing the documentation, the waiver
committee will make a recommendation to the principal at the child's
school. The committee may recommend that the child be promoted
or that the child be retained.
What type of documentation will the waiver
committee review?
The documentation may include student work samples, results from
other tests, and information supplied by parents. For a student
with disabilities, the documentation shall include information
from the individualized education plan (IEP). Other factors and
documentation may be considered that are not on this list.
Does the principal have to follow the waiver
committee's recommendation?
No.
The principal may accept the committee's recommendation or reject
it.
What if I disagree with the principal's
decision?
Under
current state law, administrative school decisions such as those
made by the principal may be appealed to the local school board.
Recent legislation proposed and passed during the current (2001)
legislative session will further make clear what rights parents
have to appeal an unfavorable decision from the principal.
English is not my child's first language.
Does she have to take these tests?
It depends on your child's individual circumstances. The State
Board of Education's policy is to hold students with limited English
language proficiency to the same standards as all other students.
However, in some cases limited English language proficiency students
may be exempt or excused from meeting the student accountability
performance standards. Whether or not your child is exempt from
meeting the student accountability standards will depend on her
ability to read and speak English proficiently. You should talk
with your school about whether or not your child is required to
take the standardized tests.
My child is a special needs student. Will
she have to take the tests?
It depends on the contents of your child's IEP. The Individualized
Education Program Team, along with the principal or school district
representative will determine if your child has to participate
in the State Standard Course of Study. If the answer is no, then
your child will not have to take the tests. However, the school
will decide on an appropriate curriculum for your child and what
methods will be used to measure her progress. Students who do
not participate in the State Standard Course of Study may receive
a certificate of achievement or graduation certificate, but not
a standard graduation diploma.
The above information does not cover everything related to the state
testing program; however, it provides an overview of issues related
to your child's rights under the Student Accountability Standards.
If you have additional questions, you may contact the Education
and Law Project at the Justice Center at (919) 856-3192.
You
may also wish to check out the Student Accountability Standards
for yourself at: www.ncpublicschools.org/student_promotion/policy.html,
where you may find the policy and implementation standards in both
English and Spanish.
by
Sheria Reid,
Education and Law Project Director
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