Help I'm Crippled Without Calculators & Scientific Equip!

Hello! I teach self-contained special education to mainly ninth and tenth graders. I teach three classes: Life Skills Math I and II, Life Skills Science I and II, and Employment English I and II. My state was recently found out of alignment with No Child Left Behind with regards to testing students with special needs. Before the state had no testing for students with special needs, so as a quick fix solution the state decided to give all students subject area tests in Biology I, Algebra I, and English II. My students are now being exposed to a rigor they have not yet experienced and are really struggling in Algebra I. The students will be allowed to use calculators on the Algebra I exam, but as of right now the students do not have calculators. I believe the calculators will significantly help my students to overcome their specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in math and allow them to concentrate more fully on the material, which will improve their comprehension. My students are missing several baseline skills, and while I will still have daily warm-up activities to improve their baseline skills, the advanced material we are now covering will be comprehended much more fully with calculators. Additionally, I am teaching biology without any way of showing pictures (i.e. no books or projector). The instant I mention biology vocabulary like mitochondria, my students “turn off” because it is such a foreign and difficult word. The posters and microscope will help expose my students to science and allow them to visualize what I am discussing. In turn, this will increase their involvement and ultimately understanding. I believe the calculators will keep my students from being bogged down in their lack of baseline skills and allow them to focus their energy towards doing well on the subject area test. The science materials will help to improve their understanding by improving their involvement and making science come alive for them. In closing, I want my students to have calculators and scientific equipment so that they can perform at their highest potential when they take the Algebra I and Biology I test. You can help them keep from getting discouraged and better tackle the challenging material they are being exposed to for the first time. This will help improve their investment, self-esteem, and allow them to do well on their exams. Thanks!