Federal guidelines limit alternate standardized test-takers to 1% of students in each state, but Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) has over double that rate for students with disabilities. The article questions whether this practice pulls too many such students from regular testing. This could impact accountability measures and educational outcomes.
Key Points
- Federal cap on alternate tests is 1% per state.
- MSCS exceeds this with more than 2% of students taking alternates.
- Raises concerns about appropriate testing for students with disabilities.
Implications for Educational Freedom
This highlights potential government overreach in enforcing rigid testing caps, which may limit school flexibility and parental input on assessments for students with disabilities. It underscores the value of school choice options like charters or vouchers that could offer more tailored educational freedoms for affected families.
Source: Is Memphis pulling too many students with disabilities from taking state standardized tests?
