Educate Yourself!

It’s that time of the year again in North Carolina… End of Grade (EOG) time. Public school students in grades three and up across North Carolina will be assessed through End of Grade tests this spring to determine their academic progress and to determine whether or not they are ready for the next grade. So what about students with disabilities? What if they don’t pass the EOG tests? Students that are identified with a disability in public school and who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) should not be retained based on not passing the EOG test. Instead their academic progress should be measured by the goals and objectives of the IEP. Many public schools have a committee of staff that review the cases of students who have not passed the EOG tests. Typically, the committee will take into account whether or not the student has a disability when making a decision about retention or promotion; however, it is oftentimes a principal’s decision. If parents disagree with the school’s decision to retain their child, they should request a meeting with the principal and/or the school district’s Exceptional Children’s Director.

As an educational specialist at Child and Family Development, I consult with parents of children with disabilities and help them navigate support services in public school including IEPs and Section 504 Accommodation Plans.