Adequate Yearly Progress and

Special Education Students

ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS AND

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

For purposes of calculating Adequate Yearly Progress a growth model that measures and recognizes the broad set of skills that are taught through or by special education should serve as the basis for calculating Adequate Yearly Progress.

 

Whereas, a student with disabilities transitions from general education to special education and from special education to general education; and

 

Whereas, many of the students who transfer from special education to general education are high performing students; and

 

Whereas, many students who transfer from general education to special education are often lower performing students; and

 

Whereas, the natural transitioning process does not allow for special education processes to be counted in the Adequate Yearly Progress calculation as special education; and

 

Whereas, the students who transfer from general education because of lack of success are counted as special education students when calculating Annual Yearly Progress; and

 

Whereas, this results in special education students not getting credit for their successes; and

 

Whereas, the No Child Left Behind act affects children in the whole spectrum of special education, students whose ability is below the normal range of proficiency should not be tested at grade level, because this testing has the potential to set the student and school up for failure.

 

Resolved, That the Montana PTA, it’s units and councils agree there needs to be a change in the way Adequate Yearly Progress is calculated for the disaggregated sub group of students with disabilities.

 

Resolved, That the Montana PTA, it’s units and councils realize the need for a growth model to be used to measure and recognize the range of skills and abilities that are taught  in special education.

 

Resolved, That the Montana PTA, it’s units and councils advise Congress to have a moratorium in reference to No Child Left Behind to revisit the law in it’s entirety so that all children are not being left behind.

 

Submitted by the Montana PTA Board of Directors