U.S., California Tussle Over Test Modifications

The Department of Education has told California that if students with disabilities use certain modifications on state tests, such as calculators on mathematics assessments, those students cannot be counted as participating in the test for the purposes of calculating adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act.

The issue arose during an on-site review of the state’s assessment procedures, said William L. Padia, the director of policy and evaluation for the California Department of Education.

The state had allowed students with disabilities to use assistive devices like calculators on the tests required under the federal education law, and to be counted as having taken the test, said Mr. Padia. Students who used assistive devices would be graded as...