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Do all
children in North Carolina take standardized tests? My child has
a disability; will he/she have to take the test? |
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Starting
this year, children with special needs will be required to take
the EOG and EOC tests. The Department of Public Instruction is
required to provide special accommodations for children with disabilities.
Parents must make sure that if their child has a documented disability
that it is addressed in their individual education plan (IEP).
An IEP is required for students with disabilities and is mandated
by federal laws. It is also governed by due process proceedings.
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| What
questions are asked on the tests? |
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Only school personnel and students know exactly what questions
are on the tests. Parents and the general public are not allowed
to see test questions or the correct answers.
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| Then
how will parents know if their child answered a question right or
wrong? |
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Parents have no way of knowing. They must rely on the judgment
of whoever grades the test or on a computer to judge the correctness
of their child's responses.
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| What
happens if my child does not pass the EOG tests?
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Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, students in fifth grade
will be required to score at Level III or above on the EOG or
face the likelihood that they will be retained. In addition, those
students must also show progress on the fourth grade-writing test
in order to be promoted. Third and eighth graders will be required
to do the same starting in 2001-2002. Parents should be aware
that some school districts have chosen to enact these standards
earlier and for all grade levels.
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| If
my child doesn't pass the test, wouldn't it be best for him/her
to be retained? |
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Generally grade retention isn't good for children. Education researchers
have carefully studied the effects of holding children back and
concluded that it does more harm than good. For example, several
highly credible studies have shown that retaining children increases
the dropout rate and actually affects how students value themselves
and their abilities.
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| What
kind of assistance is available for students who might not pass
the tests? |
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Any student who does not score Level III or above on the state
tests is required to have a personal education plan (PEP). Schools
and school districts should develop a PEP for any student who
is academically at-risk for not passing the state tests. According
to state policy, PEPs must include: · a diagnostic evaluation
· intervention strategies · a monitoring component Parents should
note that a PEP and an IEP could both be written for a student
with disabilities.
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| Can
I as a parent appeal a decision to retain my child if he/she does
not pass an EOG or EOC test? |
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Yes, you have the right to request a review. The review process
would include a committee of school personnel from another school
reviewing your child's performance. The committee would then make
a recommendation to the child's school principal, who makes the
final decision. You do not have the right to vote in the review
process but may advocate on behalf of your child. Parents also
have the legal right to ask the local school board to review the
decision to retain their child.
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| Are
there any tips or suggestions for parents in an appeal of a decision
to retain a child? |
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Yes, parents should consider presenting the following information
during an appeal:
- Report
cards and attendance records
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Copies of graded homework and tests
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EOG and EOC test results showing how close your child was to
passing the test
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Problems with your child's instruction (substitute teachers
for part of the year, lack of resources, school safety issues,
etc.)
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Be prepared to ask whether a reasonable alternative would be
to promote your child and give him or her special assistance
at the next grade level
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What
can I as a parent do to help my child?
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You should know how well your child is performing in school and
be involved in your child's education. You should meet with your
child's teacher on a regular basis to discuss progress and any
other issues or concerns. Most of all make sure that your child
understands that he or she is worth more than any test.
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| What
can I do to create fairer promotion and testing policies? |
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You can be a child's best advocate by staying informed about the
important issues around education and sharing that information
with other parents. In addition, you can talk to education officials,
school personnel and elected officials about your concerns with
the new testing and accountability system. Most importantly, you
should always be an active voice for all children.
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