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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ELIZABETH HIRST
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2002
(850) 488-5394

GOVERNOR BUSH CALLS FOR EXPANSION OF TEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Blue Ribbon Task Force to make recommendations related to disabled FCAT test-takers

TALLAHASSEE-Governor Jeb Bush today signed Executive Order 2001-108 creating a Blue Ribbon Task Force to review and recommend reasonable testing accommodations for students with disabilities. The task force will work to provide the fullest testing participation by students with disabilities and the greatest possible accommodations, without jeopardizing the validity or reliability of the FCAT.

"While Florida currently allows a variety of test-taking accommodations to students with disabilities, it is clear that there are cases that may require unique assistance for an individual student," said Governor Bush. "These students deserve every opportunity to earn a standard high school diploma through reasonable accommodations, while at the same time ensuring that test results accurately reflect a student's aptitude or achievement level. This executive order will ensure that additional accommodations will be in place before the next administration of the FCAT."

The 11-member task force will make recommendations regarding expanded accommodations for FCAT test-takers, considering the specific requirements for students to obtain a standard diploma or its equivalent, or other types of certification or diplomas. The task force is to take into account these requirements with a view toward improving postsecondary educational opportunities for students with disabilities. The task force will also consider current practices in other states.

Recommendations are due to the Florida Board of Education no later than October 1, 2002. The Governor also requested that the Florida Board of Education adopt necessary rules based on the task force recommendations no later than February 1, 2003, prior to the next administration of the FCAT.

The members of the task force will include: three parents of disabled students, three professional educators with experience in educating students with disabilities, three members of nonprofit organizations that advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities, and two assessment and testing experts. The task force members will be appointed no later than April 15.

Many FCAT accommodations are currently available for students with disabilities identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and section 504 of the 1973 Federal Rehabilitation Act. For example, below are some of the accommodations made available to IDEA students in Florida in 2001.

Flexible scheduling--allows students to take the test in several brief sessions with various break options. The current number of students using this accommodation:

• 31 percent of participating 4th graders in reading -10,122
• 31 percent of participating 5th graders in math - 10,346
• 18 percent of participating 8th graders in reading - 5,058
• 11 percent of participating 10th graders in reading - 2,328

Additional time-allows students the full school day to complete the writing assessment or in some cases multiple sessions across days to complete the reading and math assessments providing adequate test security is in place. The current number of students using this accommodation:

• 34 percent of participating 4th graders in reading - 11,088
• 32 percent of participating 5th graders in math - 10,902
• 18 percent of participating 8th graders in reading - 4,842
• 16 percent of participating 10th graders in reading - 3,493

Proctors-allows students to be assisted by proctors who read or sign directions, math problems, and transcribe answers for students. The current number of students using this accommodation:

• 20 percent of participating 4th graders in reading - 6,734
• 53 percent of participating 5th graders in math - 18,100
• 6 percent of participating 8th graders in reading, 13 percent in math - 3,834
• 4 percent of participating 10th graders in reading, 8 percent in math - 1,648

Since taking office, Governor Bush has been a leading advocate to provide a better system of care and quality of life for people with disabilities of all ages. Since 1999, funding for developmental disabilities has increased 69 percent to a present annual total of $881.3 million. In addition, the Governor has:

• Increased funding to $699 million in fiscal year 1999-2000. This was an increase of $196 million from 1998-1999. As a result, 17,000 individuals with developmental disabilities on the waiting list were able to receive needed services.
• Increased funding to $806.9 million in fiscal year 2000-2001. The remaining 4,000 individuals on the waiting list are receiving needed services.
• Increased funding to $881.3 million in fiscal year 2001-2002.
• Recommended an increase to $1.01 billion in the budget for fiscal year 2002-2003. If appropriated by the Legislature, this would mean a doubling in program funding since Governor Bush took office and would allow the state to assist an additional 9,017 individuals new to the Developmental Disabilities program.

As of December 31, 2001:

• 27,265 individuals were receiving community services; these are individuals living at home, in a licensed group home or receiving supported living services.
• 2,032 individuals live in private institutions considered intermediate care facilities that receive Medicaid funding and are licensed to care for people with developmental disabilities.
• 1,594 individuals live in public institutions. These facilities are owned and operated by the state (the Florida Department of Children & Families has oversight of these facilities).

As of early summer 2001, the August 1999 waiting list for developmental services was eliminated and by June 2002, nearly 31,000 developmentally disabled Florida residents will have access to needed services. Overall, the number of developmental disability clients currently being served, a total of 30,891 people, represents an increase of 235 percent since 1999. When Governor Bush took office, the number of developmentally disabled Floridians receiving the full range of needed services was less than 10,000. This represents a three-fold increase in the number of clients served.