In the past, TX school districts were labeling students who scored low on the state-mandated test as Special Ed students, who were then exempt from the test, thus pumping up school scores.
Recognizing this, TX mandated that all students take the test, though Sp Ed students take a different form, and all were expected to pass. Since that task was just as onerous for the school districts, they cut back on the Sp Ed designations.
“In the past, TX school districts were labeling students who scored low on the state-mandated test as Special Ed students, who were then exempt from the test, thus pumping up school scores. Recognizing this, TX mandated that all students take the test, though Sp Ed students take a different form, and all were expected to pass. Since that task was just as onerous for the school districts, they cut back on the Sp Ed designations.”
This is probably the ENTIRE REASON for our lower numbers. If people in Texas want to take advantage of the system, it’s a bit harder here. But there are 56 other states that would welcome them...
Well, let’s give a little credit for this to TEA/the Feds who have MANDATED that a school can have only a very tiny percentage of its population in the special education department, regardless of whether or not more students than that arbitrary percentage qualify in reality.