Special Education Services: A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

C.5 Evaluation of Student Learning

Wherever possible, students will be evaluated using standards established for other students and on all components of their program, including those that have been modified and those that have not. It is important that evaluation and reporting procedures accommodate the range of adaptations and modifications, so as to recognize that students with special needs may:

• take part in the regular program with some adaptations (i.e., the student is following the same curriculum but aspects of the program require adaptation);
• take part in the regular program but have some modified components (i.e., in some areas, the expected learning outcomes are substantially different from the regular curriculum; for example, math may be totally individualized, with a life-skills orientation); and/or
• participate in a program that is completely modified (e.g., a student with profound intellectual disabilities whose program may focus on independence and self-care skills).

There are many students whose learning outcomes are identical to those of their classmates, but for whom teachers use adapted evaluation procedures (e.g., an oral exam rather than a written one). Use of adapted evaluation procedures should be noted in the student's IEP. For these students, evaluation is based on whether the learning outcomes for the course/program have been met. The methods of evaluation and reporting progress must be consistent with ministry grading and reporting policies for the K-12 program.

Some students may require extensive modifications to their program. Some or all of their learning outcomes will be substantially different from the regular curriculum. Evaluation will be based on the degree to which such outcomes are achieved. In this case, evaluation must be referenced to individually established standards.

Parents can assist the school in achieving and evaluating progress toward learning outcomes - particularly with respect to achievement of social goals, acquisition of life skills, and career exploration and development.

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