How Have Students Receiving Special Education Services Fared on Statewide Assessments?
The same problems found at the national level of excluding students with disabilities are also apparent at the state level. Complicating this situation is the fact that many states have no formal means in place for determining the extent to which students with disabilities were included in assessments or for isolating the data of students with disabilities from that of other students. Presently, there is an effort in the states to quantify the number of students who are exempted or excluded from participation in the assessment, and to monitor closely the appropriateness of such exclusions. Suggestions for Increasing the Participation of Students with Disabilities in Statewide Assessments As new performance-based approaches are incorporated into state assessment programs, it is important to discern what it will take to ensure high participation of students with disabilities. States can: • Include students with disabilities in pilot tests. Keep data according to which students participat
