Question About STAR Testing an Asperger's Child

[QueenOfCalifornia]

I posed this question to a large email group I am part of but thought, since you are all so varied, maybe... Maybe you have some thoughts on this.

My son Ian, 8, has Asperger's Syndrome - a high functioning form of autism... Anyway - he is very smart and academics are not a problem for him but stress is a big problem for him. The school district is testing for the state STAR exams this week. It is "practice testing" Next week it is the real deal. Yesterday, I got a call from the teacher - she said Ian was in the psychologists office - he was pissed off that his teacher would not accept the test he had just taken - here was her reason - First, it was math ---- Seems that Ian did not "show his work" on a multiple choice exam. He was given mixed math questions ranging from simple addition, subtraction, algebra, geometry, multiplication and division... (this is the 3rd grade) Ian told her he looked at the choices and picked the answers that were the most likely to be correct and did the math in his head (This is typical for him at home too, to do the work in his head.) When the teacher wanted him to do the test over, he became irritated and thought he was being told that his answers were wrong and that he had failed the test - (I have not seen the test so I do not know how good or badly he did) I left a message for her, I want to know if when she handed out the tests, did she instruct the class to show their work. If so, Ian must somehow comply. If there was no such instruction, why was he asked to retake the test? Anyway - I put in a call to her and will hear back sometime today --- BTW, I really like his teacher - she is an older woman originally from Minnesota - She is easy going and smart. I think the teachers hate this testing crap and have been told that the combined grades average out and can mean sink or swim for certain benefits due to NCLB????

This kid was so crestfallen yesterday, he was in a heap on the floor, crying and saying "I am stupid" over and over. It broke my heart. He thinks that anything less than perfection makes him stupid. I certainly never have expressed that i feel he is stupid - nor has his father who is a wonderful parent.

Any thoughts on this? I am meeting with the teacher and 2 psychologists sometime soon about this and I feel like I am being sent to the principals office....

[KamaAina]

1. Reason #8,472 to oppose high-stakes testing.

Districts are, I believe, allowed to exempt only a tiny fraction of students with disabilities from these tests, and they always use those for students with cognitive disabilities (the term "mental retardation" is considered obsolete). Absolutely no thought, I would imagine, has been given to making these tests accessible for students like Ian, for instance by allowing him to take it without the time limit (as the SAT has done for years).

Fortunately, this was never a problem with me. I always tested well (1570 SATs, under the old system where 1600 was the maximum). But I guess that places me in the minority of people on the spectrum.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

3. Thanks....

He is not classified (at this point) as having any sort of disability. We are trying to keep that from happening and trying to keep him integrated with his peers. We work on his social "problems" with him and he seems to be doing really well. It is stress that is his (and my) enemy.

The time taking the test is not a problem. He does the work faster than the other kids - in fact, THAT was the problem... he was done too soon and so he was asked to retake the exam. He basically said no way and that is what caused the problem..

Since the original post-

Talked to the teacher - She did not instruct the class to show their work.

Here he is with his pirate friends....

[Midlodemocrat]

2. Does he have an IEP or a 504?

[QueenOfCalifornia]

4. I plead

ignorance...

What are those?

On edit-

i looked it up...

As I posted above - He has not been classified with a disorder YET. We are very sensitive to his need to be "like the other kids."

Any advice from Asperger's people would be welcomed.

[Midlodemocrat]

5. And IEP is an Individual Education Plan designed for children like Ian.

And a 504 is for kids with mild learning disabilities.

If he DOESN"T have one, you need to insist on one immediately. A child with Asberger's is entitled to one. In the plan, you will sit down with the school psychologist, teacher, and other behavioral yada yada yadas and formulate the best educational plan for Ian.

From what you have posted about this situation, one of the things that might be in his IEP is the ability to take the test privately with the teacher and work the question through in his head and just put the answer down.

Other things might include, preferential seating, adjusted time for taking tests, work given to him orally or verbally, wherever his strength lies.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. Check out this link.

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/993

Gives you an idea what is available.

I can help you with this if you need, except I am leaving tomorrow morning for Palm Beach and won't be back until Sunday.

If you can wait, that's great and I will be happy to help. Otherwise, maybe PM Maestro. He's a principal somewhere (Texas?) and he might be able to guide you along.

Good luck.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

8. We are already getting ready to

have him tested in a less stressful environment - The school is really trying to accommodate us. I am meeting with the counselor - the psychologist and teacher to come up with a situation that suits Ian's needs.

I appreciate your advice more than you know.

[Midlodemocrat]

10. Get it in writing.

Reason being, no matter how accommodating the school is today, at some point budget constraints and other bullshit will interfere and Ian's needs will not be met.

I would wholeheartedly encourage to discuss with your husband, ( I think I remember you saying you are married) what would best benefit Ian, schedule an IEP meeting with the school and put it in writing. YOU are the one in charge, not the school. Make them accommodate you. Every child is entitled to a Fair and Appropriate Public Education - BY LAW.

It is a violation of all state law and some federal NOT to comply with an IEP. And, what will happen is that you will revisit the IEP twice a year, at the beginning and at the end and modify things according to Ian's growth.

My son has had a 504 since 2nd grade and this year in 10th, we opted not to renew it.

One more thing...if you come up with a plan this year that you think benefits Ian and next year you are being talked out of some accommodations, DO NOT SIGN the new IEP. If you don't sign it because you don't agree with it, the previous one stays in effect.

Good luck. This is daunting, but doable.

[LeftyMom]

7. In California any parent can opt their child out of standardized testing.

If testing is this stressful for your child, I would encourage you to do so.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

9. My husband

was saying something about this and I will certainly give it a lot of weight... I really want to thank you for the advice...

All of you.