By Mary Mehaffey, Ed.D.
Sept./Oct. 2002
As the 2002-03 school year opens, school leaders are discussing No Child Left Behind. The words aren't new to you. Special educators are prepared to work with every child. The change is that now legislation signed into law on January 8, 2002 supports your way of thinking. The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, is based on four principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents and students, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work (www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/index.html). What current and future changes can you expect in your professional roles and in the education of students with disabilities as this Act and its principles are implemented?
Testing of students at additional grade levels, thus requiring IEP teams to consider accommodations more frequently.
More involvement in the hiring of highly qualified special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
Training requests to assist all teachers and paraprofessionals in becoming highly qualified and testing of certain paraprofessionals on Para-Pro, a test being developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for Virginia.
Implementation of additional reading programs to prevent students from being referred to special education as soon or as often for reading difficulties.
Funding requests for supplemental materials to help students with disabilities reach the raised accountability bar, especially as the Reading First initiative is implemented.
Slicing of the data to analyze how students with disabilities are performing in accordance with the new adequate yearly progress (AYP) standards.
Transportation requests as "school choice" is implemented in certain Title I schools determined to be in need of improvement.
Requests for support such as informational and training sessions from principals and parents as they move toward understanding the full impact of this legislation on students with disabilities.
References
U.S. Department of Education. (2002). Office of Elementary and Secondary Education: No Child Left Behind. Retrieved August 6, 2002, from www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/index.html.
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