Standardized Testing & Special Needs

There is considerable controversy over the use of standardized tests to assess academic progress of children with special needs. The very act of standardization appears to conflict with the tailoring of a student’s learning goals through an individualized education plan (IEP). Some also argue that the process of preparing students to take a standardized test takes away valuable time that could be spent on more authentic learning activities. Professor Derek Briggs will discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing for children with special needs. He will also explore the features of the newly designed large-scale assessments that all Colorado students will be taking in the spring of 2015 and discuss how these features may address frequently raised concerns about standardized testing.