IEP Student, Fremont Union High School District,

My daughter in high school also has an IEP. I have once asked her Math teacher for a test back for a home review just like you've asked. The teacher was very nice to let me do that for a day. It was a test only but not a final exam. I would understand that the teacher put a lot of effort in putting together exam questions which would be used repeatedly and therefore has to guard them for fairness. I think when she asked that you can review it during an IEP appointment, she is already making an accommodation for you.
But of course you are doing so just to help your daughter learn and understand what and how she has missed questions; and possibly pinpoint her weaknesses and maybe ask for any test-taking accommodations (extra time, etc.). I would work with the teachers rather than challenge their authority. I have had a lot of support from the teachers and the case manager in my daughter's classes.

I am a teacher in a different district but would have to say that what you are being told is ludicrous. The only reason to not allow tests out of the classroom is for fear of cheating. Teachers share their "intellectual material" with other teachers all the time. If the district "owns" their material, why are our file cabinets and flashdrives not seized upon transfer, release or retirement? I think you should take to the teachers directly. Most teachers are reasonable and genuinely want to help students succeed. I have never heard of something so ridiculous as requiring a formal meeting to review student work, even if they are tests. I have students with accomodations that allow them to take tests in their RSP class and I lose control of my materials. I think you are being given the run around. Good Luck... I hope this info helps.

I am a teacher in a nearby school district and material that we create is our own. The school does not own or have right to it.. It is under Ed Code (I don't know the # but it is part of the clause called Academic Freedom). I would not want my test taken home for the sole reason that it could copied, shared, etc. I of course do not think anybody would think you would do that or want to do that, but it is a pretty solid "rule" that you don't want your tests to leave your room. That being said I have allowed many students with or without accommodations review my tests before or after school. I have even allowed students to do "test corrections" for practice - not for a regrade though. Some teachers allow for regrades? I hope that helps.

We are going through an IEP at the moment and it has been very helpful and has helped us determine that our daughter has a learning disability. However, without the assistance of the teachers to interpret the data from testing the results are difficult to understand. I, personally, don't have the background to understand that data. Therefore, it is possible that simply looking at the test is not going to tell you what your daughter needs to help her succeed. If you are truly concerned about your daughter get an IEP - it's free and they will help set up a plan to get your daughter some help. Good-luck.

I have not every heard about a test being the intellectual property of either the teacher or the school district before. That said, it seems okay that they are concerned about tests "getting out" especially with cheating running rampant in our highly competitive schools. Does her IEP or 504 plan specify that she can have access to tests? It would seem appropriate to me that she be able to review her test after the fact whether it is in an IEP or in a session with the teacher or a case manager.
My best resources for these types of questions are the folks at Parents Helping Parents. If you call and ask to speak to someone in their Education Dept, I'm sure they'll have good advice for you. The number there is ###-###-####.
J.