Alternate Standards and Assessments in Michigan: Current and Future Direction Supervisors of Low Incidence Population January 16, 2015

Alternate Assessments Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM): A consortia based assessment based on DLM Essential Elements (linked Michigan’s current ELA and Mathematics standards Michigan). – In July 2014, Michigan announced it would not use DLM operationally in the Spring of 2015, waiting to make a decision on it’s use in Michigan. – MI-Access will be used in Spring 2015

MI-Access Functional Independence Features: Student Facing –Question with three answer choices Based on Extended Grade Level Expectations, Extended High School Content Expectations, Extended Benchmarks in: –English Language Arts Grades 3-8 and 11 –Mathematics Grades 3-8 and 11 –Science Grades 4, 7, 8 –Social Studies Grades 5, 8, 11 New Grouping Different grade levels

MI-Access Functional Independence Features (continued): English Language Arts –Online: Accessing Print (Word Study and Passage Comprehension) Expressing Ideas –Paper/Pencil for all students –Assessed at all assessed grades 3-8; 11 Social Studies - Only for FI –New EGLCEs/EHSCEs released Spring 2013 –Piloted Spring 2014 New Grouping New !

MI-Access Functional Independence Features (continued): Online –Student clicks answer choice directly on screen –Student sees one question at a time –Allows for faster response on student performance information (“near time” reporting) –Allows for online tools and accommodations, including magnification, text to speech (as allowable per content) and other features required by students –“Expressing Ideas” will NOT be online New !

MI-Access Functional Independence Features (continued): Online-Continued –“Parts is Parts” FI Online assessments - 2 parts each –ELA: Accessing Print »Part 1: word Study »Part 2: passage Comprehension –Mathematics »Part 1: first half of the test »Part 2: second half of the test –Science »Part 1: first half of the test »Part 2: second half of the test –Social Studies »Part 1: independent Items »Part 2: context based items New !

MI-Access Functional Independence Features (continued): Paper-Pencil Versions –Schools with a waiver that are not technology ready –Students requiring an accommodated form: Braille Enlarged Print NOTE: Audio is supported online –Individual students for whom using a computer creates an accessibility issue related to his or her disability (need should stem from IEP) Ordered via secure site at the student level (no waiver needed when specific students are needing this version) –“Near Time” reporting not available New considerations !

MI-Access FI Social Studies Pilot Training tutorial -complete This program is no longer a pilot, but will give a “sneak peek” into what is coming for the Spring Assessment

Where is OTT? OTT is available once your district technology coordinator has loaded Insight onto the computers you will be using Phase I: m/MI/portals/mi/ott2 m/MI/portals/mi/ott2 Phase II: Use Insight

Differences in Content The types of questions and content assessed for MI-Access this Spring is based on the same content standards as the assessments that students have taken in the past, so the types of questions and format should be familiar FI Social Studies has been added based on the EGLCEs and EHSCEs adopted in They can be found on the MI-Access Web Page

MI-Access Social Studies Content Standards- FI

MI-Access Social Studies Content Standards- FI

MI-Access Social Studies Content Standards- FI Note: To the left of the EGLCE, there is a key concepts column that gives core information that may be helpful in planning for instruction.

What about DLM and Essential Elements? Decisions on using DLM have been delayed pending further work with the consortium Michigan has not formally shifted to new alternate standards in ELA and Mathematics –Currently in progress of making the shift –SWD Advisory and MDE office input –Public comment –Formal shift in ELA and Mathematics –In the foreseable future, EGLCEs, EHSCEs and EBs will still serve as the alternate standards in Science and Social Studies

MI-Access Supported Independence and Participation Student Experience: Not changing for these two programs –Selected response and activity based observation items with Picture cards and/or instructional materials –ELA, Mathematics and Science –Social Studies for these two levels will remain a district determined assessment

MI-Access Participation and Supported Independence Online Answer Document: No more “tear out sheets” Single page scoring documents Assessment Administrator Booklets Student Picture Cards Enter responses online Sign and keep scoring sheets on file

Training for Participation and Supported Independence

Overview of the Participation and Supported Independence Programs 1.html 1.html

Participation and Supported Independence Administration It is recommended that both Primary Assessment Administrators and Shadow Assessment Administrators view the entire training program and print and submit their certificate of completion to their School MI- Access Coordinator. Many School or District MI-Access Coordinators may require this before the assessment is given. Please check your local requirements.

MI-Access Supported Independence and Participation-Scoring Document Online Answer Document: No more “tear out sheets” Single page scoring documents Assessment Administrator Booklets Student Picture Cards Enter responses online Sign and keep scoring document on file Allows for “near time” reporting New !

Scoring Documents

Online Answer Document Below is a sample of how the online version might look. The Primary Assessment Administrator logs in and enters the responses for both PAA and SAA at the same time.

Future of Alternate Achievement Standards in Michigan Currently Extended Grade Level Content Expectations, Extended Benchmarks and Extended High School Content Expectations in ELA and Mathematics Need to be aligned with current Michigan Academic Content Expectations –DAS Advisory and ASWD Advisory groups recommend moving to Essential Elements, regardless of assessment used. –Teams to be convened to (will come back to this in a moment): Make recommendations regarding statewide alternate achievement standards in ELA and Mathematics Develop new assessment plans for ELA and Mathematics based on alternate achievement standards

A Step Back… Original Plan: Dynamic Learning Maps –Decision to use assessment portion on hold –Consideration for using alternate standards

Dynamic Learning Maps The Dynamic Learning Maps™ (DLM) Alternate Assessment System uses learning maps that are highly connected representations of how academic skills are acquired as reflected in research literature.

Dynamic Learning Maps Nodes in the maps represent specific knowledge, skills, and understandings in English language arts and mathematics, as well as important foundational skills that provide an understructure for the academic skills. The maps go beyond traditional learning progressions to include multiple and alternate pathways by which students may develop content knowledge.

Dynamic Learning Maps

Mini-Map

Claims, Conceptual Areas and Essential Elements For Example: –ELA Claim #1 Students can comprehend Text in increasingly complex ways –Conceptual Areas: Determine Critical Elements of Text –EE.RL.3.1: Answer who and what questions to demonstrate understanding of details in a text. Construct Understandings of Text –EE.RL.3.4: Determine words and phrases that complete literal sentences in a text Integrate Ideas and Information from Text –EE.RL.3.1: Identify common elements in two stories in a series

Next Steps For Entities in the state already working with Essential Elements: –Join panel of educators to meet and discuss and make recommendations on: How to structure and shift our alternate standards to the Essential Elements Explore how to outline precursor skills leading to the target (Proximal and Distal) using the DLM Mini-Maps as a guide Weigh in on potential assessment structure based on developed structure (not looking at programs) – this may be a follow up

GET CONNECTED! Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability Weekly – Thursday release Three sections –What’s New Quick Links –Reminders –Recently Asked Questions

Questions?