What about Assessment and Accountability?

Students who are tested count in the information used by policymakers to make decisions about curriculum; allocation of resources; and development of school, district, or state policies about the instructional process. Most of these decisions are based on districtwide and statewide assessments. And these are the assessments from which students with disabilities are typically excluded. This practice is about to change nationally because of new regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on district and statewide assessment. Students with disabilities are to be included in general state and districtwide assessment programs with accommodations where necessary. And for a very small percentage of students with disabilities, an alternate assessment must be developed and implemented no later than July 1, 2000.