Some children will be left behind under new law

Some children will be left behind under new law
EDITOR:
Imagine ... the president and Congress just passed a new law that stated that every Chevy Cavalier must now have the suspension, engine and luxury of a Cadillac. We, in the Mahoning Valley, build a very fine small car, but we know that at the price we build it, it can never have all the features and the luxurious feel of a Cadillac. In business the Cavalier is rated and compared to cars in the small car class of automobiles. Our new federal education legislation demands the quality control measures of business to judge educational progress, but does not apply the same categorical rating techniques.
Last year the Bush Administration and Congress passed the Leave No Child Behind Act. The basis of the act is that every child in America should be at the same standard by grade level. Consider what this legislation means to a student with a disability. Basically only the most severe (Multi-Handicapped) students can be excluded from testing, which amounts to about 1.5 percent of students with a disability. Before this act, an IEP team comprised of the child, parent and educators decided whether the child took the state testing. They also decided whether or not this child's test score counted. Generally most kids with disabilities took the test. If he or she passed, the score counted as a positive for the child. If they did not, the score was not held against them. The decision was locally made and not mandated by the federal government as a blanket rule for all children.
I am most concerned about a group of children who are categorized with a label of CD (Cognitively Delayed). At one time this group of children was called EMR (Educable Mentally Retarded) or DH (Developmentally Handicapped). Children in this category have an IQ below 70 and are significantly behind in adaptive behavior. This class of children of special ability must now be expected to be on the same level of their classmates. If the CD child is in 4th grade, he or she may be at a pre-first grade level. The 4th grade testing involves short answers and extended response questions. Can a child on this level, be expected to write paragraphs? I am not advocating dismissal from testing. Instead I am advocating that we need to look at children at their individual current level. I believe the expectations must be high, but we must leave the decision to the local committee to decide the appropriateness for our children of special abilities.
Our children are guaranteed the right to an individualized education under the "Individual with Disabilities Act" passed in the mid 1970s. The new federal mandate is a violation of a previous federal act.
MATTHEW T. MANLEY
North Benton
Why bash such a gem as Youngstown State?
EDITOR:
I am fairly new to the area (two years) and have noticed that you regularly bash Youngstown State University. Having come from a state that values its colleges and universities with a passion, I wonder if you realize what a gem you have here in this area; in fact, sometimes I feel YSU is one of the few things keeping this area's economy afloat. Constructive criticism is helpful, but you "protest too much."
I would read The Vindicator on a more regular basis if you offered some columnists beside Cal Thomas. Might I suggest Paul Krugman or, heaven forbid, Molly Ivins?
GLORIA RULE
Poland