But with the increased importance of state standards in measuring student and school performance, it is crucial that the student's educators be mindful of the most appropriate methods of measuring the child's compliance and that the general educators and special educators increase their collaboration to meet these new challenges. For some special needs students, "alternate assessments were developed and implemented...In 2003, most...states used a portfolio or body of evidence approach in their alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities" (Thompson & Thurlow, 2003) States have also been evolving other methods for students with different types of disabilities to take such exams, including computer-based tests or with modifications, such as being allowed to take lower-level assessments. Remember, however, that regardless of modifications most students receiving special are required by federal law to access and progress in the general education curriculum, which is aligned with a state's academic content standards and that the child is also required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) to participate in all large-scale assessments administered by the school district and state, which usually means for most functional students some form of standardized testing. "Given the strong linkage to state...

This does not mean that curriculums with more individualistic approaches and emphasis need to be abandoned, or that effective programs must be restructured to a standardized one-fits-all stereotype, but that general educators may need to have more input than before, given recent changes in legislation, for most functional special education students.
Works Cited

Cortiella, Candace. (16 Oct 2006). "Aligning the IEP and Academic Content Standards

To Improve Academic Achievement." Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation. Retrieved 22 Feb 2007 at http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=1116

Thompson, Sandra & Martha Thurlow. (Dec 2003). "2003 State Special Education

Outcomes: Marching On." Published by the National Center on Educational Outcomes. Retrieved 22 Feb 2007 at http://education.umn.edu/nceo/OnlinePubs/2003StateReport.htm

Watson, Sue. (2007). "How To Write IEP Goals." About.com. Retrieved 22 Feb 2007 at http://specialed.about.com/od/iep/a/iepGoalWriting.htm