Friday, March 6, 2009

Seattle Teachers Suspended for Not Giving Test to Special Ed Students

Two teachers in Seattle who refused to give a standardized test to six students with disabilities have been suspended without pay. Read article. The teachers say they were following the wishes of the students' parents, who knew the tests were inappropriate for their children. Defending the teachers, one parent said, "They're sticking up for my kid and what I want for my child. They know what he can and can't do. They're not just going out on a limb."

Because the test is grade-level-based, the teachers say, it's inappropriate for students with severe cognitive disabilities. "It's really not a one-size-fits-all for kids," one of the teachers said. "It doesn't mean we don't have high expectations; we do. They're just not there yet."

On one hand, the school district says it's important to document success, or the lack of success. (The students affected had all taken the test the previous year and had received zeros.) On the other hand, the parents feel their children are being given inappropriate tests and are being set up to fail. What do you think?

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