11 Baldwin Co schools miss AYP mark

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Adequate yearly progress is a report released on every school. Every student is tested. Almost all of the schools that fell short in Baldwin County did so due to special education student scores, because their scores are averaged in with the rest of the student body. Alan Bice said the report is inaccurate.

"I just feel like the way it's being presented as these schools are failing and it's incorrect. The schools aren't failing special needs kids, I think the federal requirements are," said Bice.

Bice's son is autistic. He's been in the special needs program for more than six years. Bice said in those years, he has seen a dramatic difference in his child.

"We went from a child who at 3-years-old was basically non-verbal to a child who is 9 and communicates. (He) talks in complete sentences, expresses his ideas and who has slowly learned to read," Bice said.

Bice admits his son may not be reading at his grade-level, but the fact that he's doing it is an accomplishment. Bice said when the numbers came out, he felt as though the teachers who work so hard were not given the credit they deserve. He also adds, the testing should be changed.

"If we're judging them on something they're not prepared for then we are almost setting the special needs kids up for failure," said Bice.

Bice said he believes the special-needs students should be tested on their individual education plans to measure their success.

School spokesperson Terry Wilhite released this statement to Fox10 News:

"Every year our schools make great strides in raising the academic achievement of all students, especially those who have special needs. Many of those advances come about because of technology that helps students communicate and comprehend. Yet, when it comes test-taking time, the technology cannot be used. While there have been good aspects of No Child Left Behind, you're see the worst of it rise to the surface. "