Students with Disabilities in High-Stakes, Standards-Based Reform and Accountability Tests - Essay Example

Ms. Flores felt disappointed by the results of the students with disabilities that have taken the whole institution by surprise. As the principal, she has been held accountable for the outcome; an issue that seems to have confused her, and she doesn’t know where to begin. The results have created trouble for the institution as could be read from Ms. Flores's statement.

Why Ms. Flores described the testing as high stakes
Examination or test scores that are used to determine sanctions or punishment in general, accolades, graduation or promotion for students, and compensations best describe what high stakes are. According to Ms. Flores, the tests were meant to be used in determining the best school at the district level and grading for students. It was an important decision; knowing the best school in terms of academic performance and accountability for the school administrators. The test was also to be used for promoting students to the next level; that is indicated when she categorically stated that students with disabilities are going to be left behind. These are the reasons why she (Ms. Flores) describes the testing as high stakes.

Why students with disabilities are being required to participate in high-stakes testing
High-stakes testing is relevant to both general students and students with disabilities. However, knowing the weakness of a student with a disability may be difficult compared to general students (students without disabilities). The test will enable the teachers to know the weakness in the students and come up with an appropriate solution to help them improve. The test helps in measuring how well the students with disabilities learn; therefore can be used to strengthen and improve the overall academic standard of the institutions.
Why the school personnel should be held accountable for the performance of students with disabilities on those assessments

It is the responsibility of every teacher to ensure that the student gets the required knowledge in the classroom. In this case, the teacher is responsible for the student’s performance since he/she is authorized to give the knowledge. The process of giving the knowledge to the student is done by following the accepted professional standards that meet the demand of accountability. The teachers work under the principal who is the head of the institution; therefore, the principal and the teachers are accountable for the performance outcome of the students with disabilities.
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
There are different methods that teachers can apply to perform an in-process evaluation of learners' understanding, needs, and academic progress in the ongoing course of study. These methods include:

I. Standards-based reform: These are systems of grading, instructions, and academic reporting that depend on students’ denoting understanding of the skills and knowledge in the learning process.
II. High-stakes: These are examination results that are used to make crucial decisions about students’ promotion to the next level of the course or class. It can also be applied in the ranking of institutions within a given region, as in this case; it was used within the District.
III. Accountability test: The duty of teachers to take responsibility for students’ performance on high-stakes assessments and the general learning process defines accountability.
Benefits of high-stakes testing for school systems to teachers

High-stakes results may be used to create a learning plan depending on the student’s needs hence making it a tool for academic development. In addition, the test can help the teacher realize the weakness of a student and find a way to help hence increasing a positive performance and knowledge on a given subject. Motivate the teachers to work hard to produce good results in different subjects. Sometimes it can be applied during the teachers’ promotion process.

What is problematic about school personnel not being held accountable for including students with disabilities in school-wide assessments?
School personnel, for many years, have barred students with disabilities from taking part in the accountability tests. During these tests, they are always taken out for field trips to maintain the performance of the school by the general student (students with no disabilities). The trend has made it difficult for personnel to hold accountable for students with disabilities in terms of performance.

How standards-based reform should change the education that students with disabilities receive?
The standards-based reform is meant to bring positive changes, especially for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities can get higher levels of education and achievements that are against common standards together with the general education system/curriculum. They are also exposed to and get the opportunity to learn and access mastery of grade-level resource

In conclusion, school personnel should keep the standard high and ensure that all students including those with disabilities are successful. There might be changes in the systems and structures, but the standards should not be lowered. The states and districts should use the available concrete strategies to increase the positive impacts of standards-based reforms for students with disabilities and reduce the adverse effects. Read More