The opportunity for students to comment on their learning is also positive. Bias review involves various categories of people such as parents, community members, and advocacy and business groups. The committee has authority to suggest changes, modifications and deletions of items. KDE content specialists then make changes in items to address concerns of the bias committee. Fewer than 2 percent of students with an IEP, and those students with LEP who have been in an English-speaking school program for less than two years, are excluded from the standardized exams.
Limited accommodations exist for the regular assessments.
Alternative portfolios are designed to meet individual student abilities. These portfolios are evaluated with the same standards as are applied to the general student population, and their results are included in regular reports. The bias review procedures are solid and the efforts at inclusion are very positive, though more accommodations for IEP and LEP might be warranted. Using a variety of assessment methods should help meet the needs of students with a variety of learning styles. Kentucky's education reform has emphasized professional development.