Agenda - 02-02-1987 - Special Mtg.

Browse Search

The state is clear regarding the two-step identification process. Screening comes first, and regarding screening the state says, "Initial screening of the pool will determine students for whom formal referrals will be made." Within these rules, the state goes on to include suggestions which serve to clarify what the state expects screening to accomplish. I believe there is little doubt that rules on screening were written to show that screening is intended to establish a pool of students significantly larger than just those students who automatically meet state criteria on the basis of standardized group test scores. Otherwise, the screening pool would serve little purpose. I believe there are some very sound legal and moral reasons why school systems are advised by SDPI regarding screening that, "Sufficient data should be gathered to justify the need for referral, to document non-discriminatory screening, and to substantiate the professional judgment that a referral is not needed at this time." By allowing the current 3rd-4th program to use something less than the state's required two-step identification process, this board automatically gives parents and all taxpayers cause to question whether the school system has anything to gain, and whether students, parents and others have anything to lose. The board sets the stage for: - Parents of AG students to question whether the current program truly does represent the special services to which their children are entitled. Can the program withstand challenges about meeting the "appropriate needs" of these students? - Parents of minority or disadvantaged students to question if they were EXcluded from the opportunity of formal identification, because only standardized group test scores were reviewed. - Taxpayers in general to question why you describe this program as one which you must provide because state law requires it, when, in fact, the'ktudents served in the program aren't ENTITLED to it yet. * The list could go on and on. And additional questions surface as you move on to examine whether the second goal of this Enrichment Resource program is accomplished.