Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Individualized educational programming for handicapped students and the requirement to pass a competency test appear paradoxical. Competing tests require that handicapped students attain a specified level of academic achievement that may not be commensurate with their educational progress. In the present article, three policy options on the competency testing of handicapped students are analyzed: (1) Handicapped students should be required to pass a competency test prerequisite to receiving a diploma; (2) handicapped students should be exempt from taking the competency test, and granted a regular high school diploma based upon successful completion of their Individualized Education Plan requirements; and (3) differential competency standards should be developed for handicapped students. The strengths and limitations of these policy options are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Anderson v. Banks, 520 F. Supp. 472, 505 (S.D. Ga., 1981).

Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley, 102 S. Ct. 3034 (1982).

Board of Education of Northport-East Northport Union Free School District v. Ambach, 436 N.Y. 2d 564 (1981), rev'd 458 N.Y. S. 2d 680 (1982).

Brookhart v. Illinois State Board of Education, 534 F. Supp 735 (1982); rev'd 697 F.2d 179 (1983).

Cannell, J. (1983). Brookhart et. al. v. Illinois State Board of Education et. al.: Denial of standard diploma for handicapped students. Education Law Reporter, 8, 549–553.

Debra P. v. Turlington, 730 F.2d 1405 (1984).

Education Commission of the States. (1985). Clearinghouse notes. State activity: Minimum competency testing as of November, 1985. Washington, DC: Author.

Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, Public Law 94--142, 20 U.S.C. 1401 (1975).

Grise, P.J. (1986). Handicapped students and minimum competency testing. Special Services in the School, 1, 177–185.

10.

Hall, J. , & Gallagher, J.J. (1983). Minimum competency testing and the learning disabled student. In J. McKinney & L. Feagons (Eds.), Current topics in learning disabilities. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

11.

McCarthy, M.M. (1983). The application of competency testing mandates to handicapped children. Harvard Educational Review, 53, 146–164.

12.

McClung, M.S. , & Pullin, D. (1978). Competency testing and handicapped students. Clearinghouse Review, 11, 922–927.

13.

McKinney, J.D. (1983). Performance of handicapped students on the North Carolina minimum competency test. Exceptional Children, 49, 547–550.

14.

National Association of State Directors of Special Education. (1979). Competency testing, special education and the awarding of diplomas: A report of survey information. Washington, DC: Author.

15.

Pullin, D. (1985). Minimum competency testing and special education: Evolving judicial standards. Education Law Reporter, 20, 811–819.

16.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Sec. 504, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (1973).

17.

Safer, N.D. (1980). Implications of minimum comptency standards and testing for handicapped students. Exceptional Children, 46, 288–290.

18.

Serow, R.C. , & O'Brien, K. (1984). Performance of handicapped students in a competency testing program. The Journal of Special Education, 17, 149–155.

19.

Smith, J.D. , & Jenkins, D.S. (1980). Minimum competency testing and handicapped students. Exceptional Children, 49, 440–443.

Handicapped Students and Competency Testing

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References