Teachers’ Poll Calls for Alternative Assessment and Standards for Special Education Students

Teachers believe that many students with disabilities can meet rigorous academic standards when they have individualized or adapted instruction and appropriate supports, according to the newly released Quality Counts 2004.  Not surprisingly, teachers polled for the report recognize that not all special education students should be forced to conform to the same set of standards that general education students must meet.  Special education students often require alternative instruction, and it follows that the most accurate way to measure their achievements would be through alternative standards and assessments.

The report also makes clear that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to standards and assessments would clash with the goals of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  States, policymakers and educators should use this report to avoid setting up special education students for failure, and to ensure that quality public schools aren’t punished just because they serve a high percentage of special education students.  What teachers and parents want is early intervention for students and more comprehensive training for teachers, both of which will contribute to the ultimate goal -- higher student achievement.   

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The AFT represents more than 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.