Re: Portfolio

[Guest guest]

You can always go back and revisit issues. If there is anything that was

" decided " by the team at some time and you no longer think it is appropriate,

YOU have the power to call an IEP meeting at ANYTIME to address any issue

related to the IEP and delivery of services. Just put your request in writing

and

they have to respond.

- Becky

In a message dated 2/22/2006 5:24:25 PM Eastern Standard Time,

caitismom2000@... writes:

Caiti does a portfolio and has for4 years now. After her last psych

that they said I HAD to let them do and she turned that ugly word---

TRAINABLE. I had it I was tired and burnt out. I was the ONLY one

fighting for her and it just broke me. They will Never test her again

but her portfolio scores are thru the roof. Out of a possible 20 she

consistently scores 18 to 20. Her work is included and pictures and

input from me. Sue will tell you thatI'm not a quitter and Caiti

is far from trainable(she taught our Tim sooo much lol)but when you

are alone in the quest there are times you have to give a little.

Also I was not in the best of health and did not realize it. SO it

happened.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Required state assessments can be either the state standardized (usually

multiple choice) tests; if passed, the child receives either a standard or

modified diploma;

Or

an alternative assessment on just IEP goals progress (child will not receive

any standard or modified diploma, just an IEP or attendance certificate).

Under the new NCLB flexibility rules, some states like ours (and yours,

sounds like) are trying a new assessment tool as a substitute for the

standardized state assessment test. This is the portfolio option that you

seem to be being offered.

This portfolio looks a lot like the alternative assessment in that it uses

student work samples rather than a test to determine whether the child has

learned what the assessment is looking for--the difference is that the

alternative assessment uses IEP goals as the assessed curriculum while both

the standardized state test and substitute portfolio assessments use the

standard grade level curriculum/ state standards as the assessed area.

In VA, the portfolio is mostly being pushed for students who cannot take

multiple choice tests well, but can tell or demonstrate understanding of the

curric.

The portfolio here must be sent to the state, where the child's work will be

examined and a determination of whether the child has passing understanding

of the state curric/ standards.

Whether it would be more appropriate than the standard test for an

individual child depends on the child--it's an IEP/ 504 team--including the

parent as an equal member--decision. I was discussing it with Jessie's case

manager just yesterday and we are in agreement that it isn't a good option

for this year (insufficient materials for the portfolio anyway) and probably

wouldn't be any more appropriate in the future for her than taking the

standardized test with accommodations/ modifications; however, NCLB seems to

not be allowing some of the old accommodations/ modifications--so that's

something to look at. (http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=8493526

)

VA has guidance materials, including a powerpoint presentation at

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/home.shtml#Virginia%20Substitute%20

Evaluation%20Program

Judi

Portfolio

Well, you were all correct in that the portfolio contains samples of

his work through the year. It is intended to show his progress and

will replace taking the NCLB tests. Apparently in the past our

state has allowed students to take " out-of-level " assessments and

that is no longer allowed. So we can take the grade level NCLB

test - modified - or go with the portfolio. I'm conflicted.

First, I'm not impressed with NCLB. It is, in my opinion, a well

intended idea that is horribly applied. But that's a political

discussion that isn't the point. Basically as long as my son is

learning what he needs to learn, I don't care either way...

EXCEPT...I don't think he's learning what he needs to learn. He's

capable of much more than they expect. We're having testing this

year so I can show how much he's fallen behind while he's been in

their system. I want serious changes to his IEP this year and I

think they will work with us.

So, I want the school to have some accountability for educating my

son. And, of course, this is the way the system judges educational

outcome. So my inclination is for him to take the grade level

test. If his results will impact the school's rating, then they'll

work harder to educate him appropriately, right? OR will I just

make them angry after they've done all this work to prepare a

portfolio and I reject it?

mom to B (8 w/Ds) and W (6 w/a temper!)

Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for

messages to go to the sender of the message.

[Guest guest]

While we are on this topic:

http://www.cec.sped.org/bk/cectoday/leadstory_1.html

Cheryl in VA

Portfolio

Well, you were all correct in that the portfolio contains samples of

his work through the year. It is intended to show his progress and

will replace taking the NCLB tests. Apparently in the past our

state has allowed students to take " out-of-level " assessments and

that is no longer allowed. So we can take the grade level NCLB

test - modified - or go with the portfolio. I'm conflicted.

First, I'm not impressed with NCLB. It is, in my opinion, a well

intended idea that is horribly applied. But that's a political

discussion that isn't the point. Basically as long as my son is

learning what he needs to learn, I don't care either way...

EXCEPT...I don't think he's learning what he needs to learn. He's

capable of much more than they expect. We're having testing this

year so I can show how much he's fallen behind while he's been in

their system. I want serious changes to his IEP this year and I

think they will work with us.

So, I want the school to have some accountability for educating my

son. And, of course, this is the way the system judges educational

outcome. So my inclination is for him to take the grade level

test. If his results will impact the school's rating, then they'll

work harder to educate him appropriately, right? OR will I just

make them angry after they've done all this work to prepare a

portfolio and I reject it?

mom to B (8 w/Ds) and W (6 w/a temper!)

Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for

messages to go to the sender of the message.