Portfolio

[Guest guest]

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!)