What is the 2% Proxy Method?
New Mexico is implementing the one-year 2% proxy method using the 2007-2008 data. This method was approved as part of the Accountability Workbook I by The U.S. Department of Education on June 21, 2008. Schools that did not make AYP solely on the proficiency of Special Education students can add to the proportion of proficient scores by an equivalent of 2% of the population eligible for an alternate assessment. This is a proxy for students who would have scored at the proficient level had a modified assessment been available to them. This flexibility is for only the current year and will be handled through the appeals process. Once a modified assessment is developed by New Mexico and approved by the U.S. Department of Education, this proxy will no longer be needed. More details of the procedure for calculating the proxy can be reviewed on page 27 of the June 16, 2008, Accountability Workbook.
