From: "Suzanne Heath" To: Subject: Re: Exemptions and NCLB Laws Date: Friday, August 26, 2005 8:23 PM Dear Ricki, I have no idea what all these abbreviations mean so I will just tell you what the NCLB law says about alternative tests. Unless a child has a severe cognitive disability and cannot learn grade level material even with the best instruction, then they need to be tested on the grade level standards. This can be with the regular test, with or without accommodations, or it can be with an alternative test that still tests grade level knowledge. There is more information about state standards and state assessments here http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/nclb/standassguidance03.pdf. It may be that the part of her IEP that needs to be tweaked is not the part about the testing, but the part about intensive research-based reading instruction. If she will earn the credits she needs to graduate and you do not want to fight about the remediation she still needs, then you may want to look into transferring her credits to this private school and getting her diploma that way http://www.narhs.org/. Take the time to read about it http://wrightslaw.com/info/advo.diploma.nars.htm. It is an accredited school. The process can be done by mail. It is inexpensive. It puts the focus back on her education and not on jumping through hoops they never taught her about. Sue Heath ----- Original Message ----- From: Pete Wright To: Ricki Lange Cc: Heath, Sue Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 11:44 PM Subject: Re: Exemptions and NCLB Laws I am forwarding your email to our resident NCLB expert and co-author, Sue Heath. Pete ----- Original Message ----- From: Ricki Lange To: webmaster@wrightslaw.com Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 10:43 PM Subject: Exemptions and NCLB Laws Hello I Am A Parent of a Learning disabled /Dyslexic Student I was Approached By our District Cypress Fairbanks ISD in Houston Texas. In regards to Taking her exemption From Taking The TAKs Test for Graduation Requirements. Christy Was and has been since 2nd/3rd grade exempt from taking this test and has always done an SDAA or LDAA test in place of TAAS IE Take. Does the NClb Law state that school districts can or has to take away this exemption to be in accordance with the Law. I know there is a 5% bracket allowed What should I do and are there any safety nets If the Exemption is taken away . If she does not pass the TAKS test she will not graduate from High School. Thanks to your web site I am a very informed Parent about NCLB But I have not seen anything in regards to Taking exemptions and Services away to comply to this New Law. Christy intends to go to college Will it affect her in college if this exemption is in place and are there any modifications that I can put in place if they do Take her off the Exemption list. We have an ARD meeting on 08/30/05 that was set up today. I explained to them until I know all the facts and they can answer my Questions Will not agree to this. And since I am part of the ARD committee I have to agree to this. Ijust want to know if this is part of NCLB. I have ordered your Nclb Book and Cd just need a little advice Thanks in advance for your Help Ricki Lange 9630 Cannock Chase Houston, Texas 77065 281-890-1990