Six years ago the U.S. passed the No Child Left Behind<!--more--> law, sending states and school districts into an uproar. It required parents needed to be included in education, that schools needed "Highly Qualified Teachers" , scientifically based reading instruction, tutoring and supplemental educational services, research-based teaching methods, and school and school district report cards.

I lived and taught in Michigan at the time and as a teacher it was a big change. Now, as a special education parent I enjoy having a checks and balances system in place. Under the law schools must advance every year toward the goal of having every student proficient in reading and math by 2014. Schools must also improve their testing scores grades 3 through 8 even with children who are minorities or who have disabilities.

The No Child Left Behind Act MANDATES that schools raise the achievement level of special needs students. However, does this mean that IEP goals are changed to accommodate the testing? The Washington Post states that many special needs children made significant gains but that the goal of making all kids proficient is unrealistic.

Fairfax County School Superintendent Jack D. Dale said the law has led to more focus on students with disabilities, English-language learners and others previously "lost in the averages." With better training and technology to help special-needs students learn, he said, teams of teachers routinely work together to customize education.

If the goal is unrealistic are we then dumbing down? Unfortunately...looks like we may be.

The reality for our children is that they may just have a fair and equal education because of this law. Because states are now held accountable for students with disabilities they are forced to show their improvement from year to year.

Lets just hope that they don't adjust their IEP's too much for the test taking assistance.