Three New Tests - In response to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the state of Texas developed three new versions of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test to be implemented in 2008 for special education students: TAKS-Accommodated, TAKS-Modified (TAKS-M) and TAKS-Alternate (TAKS-Alt). In previous years, the State Developed Alternative Assessment II (SDAA II), which tested on the basis of skill level rather than grade level, was used to evaluate the progress of special education students. Now, like general education students, they will be tested on the grade-level Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), with the purpose of ensuring equal access to general curriculum, said Paula Walker, the executive director of special education for the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD).

Dentists in the UAE are not equipped to treat special needs patients. Ras Al Khaimah's College of Dental Sciences is to establish the UAE's first dental clinic to provide care exclusively for patients with special needs. The facility, which is due to be completed in December 2009, will also provide training for undergraduate students in the techniques required to care for such patients. Dean of the college, professor Ramananda Prabhu, said that students will be encouraged to dedicate three months of their internship year to working at the clinic, in an attempt to provide practical, hands-on experience of working with special needs patients.

NEWS ! ON ARABIANBUSINESS.COM by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Monday, 16 June 2008