IEP decisions about testing should be approached with the attitude that testing experiences will be beneficial and positive for nearly all EEN students. Concerns about school or district rankings should not be a part of making decisions about inclusion of EEN students in any local or district testing. Since provision is to be given for make-up's, the percentage of regular education students tested should be no lower than the attendance rate for the school. It is important that testing be conducted in a positive atmosphere. It is important to provide information about tests and the uses of the information that they provide in the days leading up to the actual administration of the tests.
Parents can be especially helpful in encouraging their youngsters to take the test seriously.
It is also critical that realistic opportunities for make-ups be provided for all students who are ill or otherwise absent during testing periods. State procurement rules require that contracts be reviewed annually and re- bid every three years. The purpose for this is to ensure that minimum costs and quality services are maintained through competition and review of current vendor offerings. IASA also prescribes certain requirements for the states' assessment programs, including disaggregation of results by a number of demographic factors. The designations refer only to the year in which the test is administered.