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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend September 12, 2006 Department of Education demands Oregon overhaul its tests for disabled students By Paris Achen Mail Tribune A federal review has demanded an immediate overhaul of special tests Oregon has been giving disabled students because they fall short of requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. The U.S. Department of Education concluded the tests fail to show students' knowledge of reading and math and are an inadequate gauge of whether Oregon schools are making adequate academic progress. No Child Left Behind requires all students, including the disabled, to pass tests in reading and math by 2014. "We were caught off guard, and we don't have a (replacement) test to use in the meantime," said Gene Evans, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education. One of the two tests determined to be deficient was a modified or life skills test for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Advertisement Federal education officials have called for the elimination of that test in which accommodations sanctioned by the state are tailored for a particular student's disability or needs. Under the federal review, Oregon is required to revise the extended or alternative test to comply with federal requirements. That test is given to disabled pupils who require more than the permitted accommodations. Both tests differ from the standardized assessment given to general education students. Out of the some 80,000 special education students in the state, about 3,500 took alternative tests and 5,800 took modified tests in 2005, according to ODE. State education officials are seeking guidance from federal education officials about how to craft an alternative test that fulfills No Child Left Behind requirements, yet still meets the needs of disabled pupils. Doing both is critical to meeting standards, as pupils who are unable to take the extended test will not count toward their school's effort to make annual yearly progress, said Julie York, student services director at the Medford School District. "Right now, no one in life skills programs has a testing option remotely appropriate for them," York said. "The decision (to change the test) doesn't make a lot of sense. Those tests are for students with a low cognitive ability, and you can't expect them to perform at the same level as other students." The state plans to make the revisions to the alternative test in conjunction with the University of Oregon and release the new assessment in time for testing in the spring, ODE officials said. Administrator and teacher training for the new extended assessment is expected to begin in January or February. Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 776-4459 or e-mailing [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com