Child not getting extended time on standardized tests as documented in IEP- how to handle
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Anonymous
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So it looks like my child has not been getting his extended time accommodations or breaks on standardized tests this year. The proctors pulled him for small group administration, but didn't know how to extend the time so they didn't. Then they tell me- he finished so he didn't need it.
These are nationally administered tests that have clear processes for extending the time in the testing manuals. And they also have implications for tracking my child into honors English in middle school- he missed the cutoff by 2 percentile points. Has anyone had experience dealing with this situation? I don't think re-administering is possible. What should I be expecting here? I am so frustrated that I didn't realize this sooner. When I followed up after the test, his SPED teacher said that they followed the IEP accommodations and he did well. |
Anonymous
| How did you hear that he wasn't given the additional time? |
Anonymous
| If he did well maybe he doesn't need those accommodations? |
Anonymous
Not OP, but doing well isn't the same thing as performing up to his potential. |
Anonymous
| I am confused, your DC completed the test, correct? Did he/she feel rushed to complete? I was under the impression that if my DC completed his tests, he didn't require the extension nor was he required to use the extended time. It is there in case he needs to use it, but often he doesn't need the extension. |
Anonymous
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The school test coordinator mentioned it to me, as if I would be happy that they changed his test administration processes. Apparently they decided to just try his test without extending the time or giving him breaks just to see if it would work.
And since he is in elementary school and has inattentive ADHD he isn't the best judge of whether he needs the extended time. The previous poster is correct that I suspect he isn't performing to his potential. All of his private evaluations have noted that he will get distracted and then rush to finish when he notices the timer is running out. That is why his accommodation plan is for individual administration with frequent breaks and extended time. We have our IEP meeting tomorrow, and I just want to scream for more than the usual reasons. |
Anonymous
Not OP again, but it depends on the circumstances. If the extra time was available to him but he'd completed the exam and decided on his own initiative that he didn't need the extra time, that's not a violation of the IEP. If instead he'd finished the test in regular time, wanted to use his extra time to double check his work, but the proctor kept pushing him to turn it in if he was done when regular time expired because the proctor didn't want to wait through the extra time and eventually he gave up and turned it in because he felt so uncomfortable, that's not okay. |
Anonymous
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OP, it is important to note that the school cannot force your child to take breaks or to go slowly. In fact, the teachers who proctor are very limited in what they can say to the children. I have seen the booklet and it is quite scripted.
Is your child saying that someone pushed him/her to finish more quickly or to not double-check? |
Anonymous
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Regarding reaching potential: Be careful with that argument OP:
"The United States Supreme Court has been relentless in their insistence that IDEA may not be used to force a school district to "maximize" a child's "potential". If a child is getting a "meaningful educational benefit" and making progress that can be objectively measured, then most courts will conclude that IDEA has done its job -even if most parents would consider the results basic or minimal. " http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/iep.bollero.hearts.htm |
Anonymous
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Apparently they decided to just try his test without extending the time or giving him breaks just to see if it would work.
Dammit that’s not how accommodations work. Tell them they are NOT allowed to experiment with your child and if they try it again you will file an OCR complaint. (US DOE office for Civil Rights- for discriminating against your child on basis of disability. |
Anonymous
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OP here- Is there a minimum age where kids are allowed to decline accommodations? It seems like a 7 year old second grader is too young to make that decision about standardized tests he has never taken.
And now another mom shared with me that as soon as the kids were finished with their tests they got to go to recess. So I cannot imagine that was not a potent motivator to rush through and decline extra time. |
Anonymous
There isn't a minimum age. Separate from whatever the school isn't doing, it is good to talk to your child about their accommodations from an early age. Why they are allowed extended time etc, how to utilize it and frankly if they need it. Do they feel rushed? Do run out of time to finish everything. |
Anonymous
| You need to put in the IEP that the school will plan for the breaks for the child and follow the plan - go get a drink and take a short walk every ten questions or whatever. Then they need to stick to the plan. You can ask for individual testing so he doesn't see if others are finishing. I had a kid rush today because he saw two others finish a section and take a break before him - some kids can't handle it. He's too young to self-monitor. They can't experiment on him to see what will happen. I would be very firm with the case manager and teacher. |
Anonymous
What standardized tests are 2nd graders taking that have time limits? |
Anonymous
I just went back to your OP, so now I'm also wondering what standardized tests for 2nd graders determine their English placement in Middle School? |