Overview of Existing Alternate Assessments Based on Modified

Overview of Existing Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) Sheryl Lazarus National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Kick-Off for GSEG Projects January 16, 2008 National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Purpose of this Study To provide a snapshot of the characteristics of the AA-MAS at a time shortly after the April 2007 regulations were finalized. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Questions § In July 2007 which states either had an assessment that they considered to be AA-MAS or had information about an AA-MAS in development on their website? § What were the eligibility criteria for students to qualify to participate in this assessment option? § What were the characteristics of these assessments? National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Caveats § States believed these assessments to be an AA-MAS, but they had not yet gone through peer review. § Since the assessments analyzed in this study were developed prior to the final regulations some of the characteristics of these early AA-MAS may not fully comply with the regulations. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

In July 2007 Five States Had an Assessment that They Believed Was an AA-MAS: • • • Kansas Louisiana North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma In addition to these states, Maryland had information on its website about an AA-MAS that the state was developing. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Number of States With Selected Eligibility Criteria No. of States Student has IEP 6 Multiple years behind grade level expectations 4 Not based on categorical label 4 Does not have significant cognitive disabilities Not due to excessive absences or to social, cultural, environmental, or economic factors 4 Learning grade level content 3 Not based on placement setting 2 Previously scored at unsatisfactory level 2 National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) 4

Type of Assessment/Types of Questions State KS LA MD NC ND OK Total Portfolio X 1 Multiple Choice X X X 5 Constructed Response Writing Prompt X X 1 X 2 National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Number of States That Made Selected Content Changes Change No. of States Distractor Removed 4 Fewer Items 4 Simplified Language 4 Shorter Passages 3 Segmentation of Passages 1 National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Accommodations Incorporated into AA-MAS Design Accommodation No. of States Fewer items/page 3 Larger font size 3 Calculator 2 Breaks as needed 2 Key text underlined/bolded 1 National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Considerations National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Consideration 1 ØThe identification of students who may qualify to participate in this option. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Eligibility Criteria The State must “Establish and monitor implementation of clear and appropriate guidelines for IEP teams to apply in developing and implementing IEPs for students who are assessed based on modified academic achievement standards. ” Sec. 200. 1(f)(2)(ii) National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Consideration 2 ØHow these students access grade level content. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Access to Grade-Level Content “Ensure that students who are assessed based on modified academic achievement standards have access to the curriculum, including instruction, for the grade in which the students are enrolled. ” Sec. 200. 1(f)(2)(B)(iii) National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Consideration 3 ØHow these students show what they know. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

Instruction, Assessment, and High Expectations “In validating an assessment, the State must also consider the consequences of its interpretation and use. ” Standards and Assessments Peer Review Guidance (12/21/07 Revision, p. 39) National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)

NCEO Resources www. nceo. info Sheryl Lazarus Phone: 612. 625. 6032 Email: laza 0019@umn. edu National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)