1. Alternate Assessment Issues and Practices.
- Author
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Mid-South Regional Resource Center, Lexington, KY., Olsen, Ken, Bechard, Sue, Kennedy, Sarah, Haigh, John, Parshall, Lucian, and Friedebach, Melodie
- Abstract
This report discusses the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that require states to develop alternate assessments for students with disabilities who cannot participate in large-scale assessment programs. The report also profiles five state alternate assessment practices that have been developed or are emerging and defines seven issues that must be addressed in developing an alternate assessment, including: why assess, who to assess, what to assess, when to assess, how to assess and score, how to report and use data, and how to engage in development and training. Practices in Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, and Missouri are described. As appropriate to its stage of alternate assessment development, each state report describes background and context, foundations, eligibility, content standards, assessment procedures, scoring, reporting and use, professional development, development and management, and effects. Findings indicate that most states are attempting to develop the alternate assessment as an extension of the general assessment system, with an emphasis on both accountability and program improvement. Eligibility criteria are still evolving, but it was found the alternate assessments are intended for students who have the most significant disabilities. (CR)
- Published
- 1998