Transcript Assessments Shall Provide for… Participation of all students Reasonable adaptations and accommodations for students with disabilities Large Scale Assessment Conference June 22, 2004 Sue Rigney U.S.

Assessments Shall Provide for…
Participation of all students
Reasonable adaptations and
accommodations for students with
disabilities
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
The Department expects…
States to assess as many students as
possible with assessments aligned to
regular achievement standards
 Implement fully IDEA 1997
 Provide students access to the general
curriculum
 Develop universally designed assessments
 Ensure both special and regular education
teachers set high expectations for SWD and
understand State content standards
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
Accommodations
Most students with disabilities are expected
to participate in regular statewide
assessments
 without accommodations
 with appropriate accommodations that are
consistent with accommodations provided
during regular instruction
 in an alternate assessment based on grade-level
content and achievement standards
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
Alternate Achievement
Standards
Use of alternate achievement
standards permitted only for
students with most significant
cognitive disabilities
All other students to be assessed
using same academic standards
that the State applies to all public
schools and public school students
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
States may use more than
one alternate assessment
Alternate assessment scored
against grade-level standards
Alternate assessment scored
against alternate achievement
standards – appropriate only for
students with most significant
cognitive disabilities
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
Alternate Assessments should
have…
 Clearly defined structure
 Guidelines for which students may
participate
 Clearly defined scoring criteria and
procedures
 Report format that clearly communicates
student performance in terms of the
academic achievement standards defined
by the State
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
Under current regulation
Out-of-level assessments are
considered to be alternate assessments
based on alternate achievement
standards to which the 1% cap applies.
By definition, these assessments do not
represent a grade-level achievement
standard.
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
OOLT as Alternate Achievement
Standard
Only if…
• Standard defined through documented and
validated standards-setting process
• Aligned with State content standards
• Promote access to the general curriculum
• Reflect professional judgment of highest
achievement standards possible
• Results included in 1% cap on proficient
scores for AYP
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
1% Cap on Alternate
Achievement Standards in AYP
 Applies to the number of proficient and advanced
scores that may be included in AYP
determinations
 Does not limit the number of students taking an
assessment against alternate achievement
standards
 Applies at the State and district levels
 Alternate assessments based on grade level
achievement standards would not be affected by
the 1% cap
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
Assessment System Review
Peer review will ask for evidence that…
The State provides clear, written guidelines to all
LEAs concerning how to maximize inclusion of
all students with disabilities in the regular
assessment system.
The State provides for the use of appropriate
accommodations and has conducted studies to
ensure that scores based on accommodated
administrations yield scores that can be
meaningfully combined with the standard
administrations.
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education
So where are the “gap” kids?
In the regular test based on grade level content
and achievement standard
OR
In an alternate assessment based on gradelevel content and achievement standards
All are included in school AYP calculations safe harbor provides a safety net
Large Scale Assessment Conference
June 22, 2004
Sue Rigney
U.S. Department of Education