The NCLB & IDEA Mandate

Special education students have to participate in state and/or district wide assessment programs (with or without accommodations). The purpose of this mandate is to:

• Enable states to better measure the achievement of students with disabilities;
• Allow students to demonstrate what they know and what they can do;
• Provide meaningful information to teachers and parents about a student’s progress;
• Provide teachers with information on how they can change their instruction to better meet student needs;
• Provide data to allow teachers to make evidence-based decisions;
• Recognize the accomplishments of these students and teachers in annual yearly progress (AYP) determinations; and
• Ensure schools are responsible for improving the academic achievement of all students.

In particular, P.L. 107-110 – the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB, 2001) requires schools receiving Title 1 funds to ensure that at least 95% of all students in each of the following subgroups are assessed and make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as determined by the state:

• All students
• White
• African Americans or Black
• Asian
• Latinos or Hispanic
• Native Americans or American Indians
• Limited English Proficiency
• Low-income students (frequently identified as eligible for free and reduced-price meals)
• Special Education

The progress of these students has to be measured annually (using state exams) in reading and math (in grades 3-8), once in science during grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12, and at least once during high school, ensuring that all students are proficient by the 2013-2014 school year.