The North Carolina Alternate Assessment Academic Inventory Pamela F. Biggs Education Consultant Technical Outreach for Public Schools North Carolina State University Conference on Exceptional Children October 2003

What is the NCAAAI? Year-long or course-long assessment Checklist of objectives based on the NCSCS scored using individual scales for each content area: –Reading (Assigned Grades 3-8, 10) –Mathematics (Assigned Grades 3-8, 10) –Writing (Assigned Grades 4, 7, 10) –End-of-Course (EOC) (Nine courses) Collection of evidence to support scores

Why was it developed? Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997 –All students, including those with IEPs or Section 504 plans, must participate in the statewide testing program. –NC Alternate Assessment Portfolio (NCAAP) –NC Computerized Adaptive Testing System (NCCATS) Accommodation

North Carolina Testing Program End-of-Grade Test without Accommodations Alternate Assessment Academic Portfolio (NCAAP) Alternate Assessment Academic Inventory (NCAAAI) End-of-Grade Test with Accommodations

Which EC students are eligible? Students with Disabilities are eligible if they –Have current IEP or Section 504 Plan –Are following the Standard Course of Study which includes the Occupational Course of Study –Are unable to access statewide testing with or without the use of accommodations –Are assigned to grade level 3-8, or 10, or are enrolled in an End-of-Course (EOC) subject

Who decides participation? IEP team decides –if an eligible student will participate in the NCAAAI –the grade level at which the student will be assessed

Key Terms Assigned Grade Level –Determined by School Principal –What student is listed as in student management system (Ex. SIMS,NCWISE) Assessed Grade Level –Determined by IEP Team –May be below assigned grade level for reading and math (EC only) –Must be at assigned grade level for writing

Who completes it? Must have training in content area Must work routinely with the student Principal assigns assessor May be more than one assessor for an inventory Often general education, EC, or ESL teacher Ideal (depending on students instruction) – combination of general ed. and EC teachers

How is it scored? Classroom Assessment/Performance Descriptions of Student Performance Every objective scored using 1-8 scale three times per year Overall score derived from objective scores Growth defined by improvement in any objective

Description of Student Performance

When is it scored? Baseline First 30 days of student participation Interim Midpoint in student participation Final Last 30 days of student participation

Fall 2003 Training Checklist Completion Training Train-the-Trainer Model Regional Accountability Coordinators (RACS) LEA Test Coordinator (TC) trains local TC Training for local staff through TC or other LEA staff

Fall 2003 Training (contd) Supplemental training: Linking Instruction with Assessment –See training website // ncaaaitraining –To register for remaining Math sessions Check website for space availability If space available, contact Hope Tesh (919)

NEW for Evidence required for 2 objectives in –Each category for reading –Each section for math –Each goal for writing –Each goal or section for EOC Evidence required at Baseline and Final Data Collection NEW Evidence Collection Sheet

Evidence Collection Sheet

Optional Teacher Observation Form

Optional Evidence Labels

NEW for (contd) LEP/IEP/504 designation added NEW Principal Checklist (Optional) Principal must sign name, not use stamp Photographs, videotapes, audio tapes, computer disks –Should not be physically included –Performance data can be written as teacher observation Overall score boxes moved to bottom of score summary chart

Be sure to answer this question! LEP/IEP/504 designation Dont forget the overall scores! Assessor(s) and principal must sign, not stamp their names

Web Resources // testing/ncaaai Reproducible Evidence Forms FAQ Step-by-Step Guide Curricular Links

Coming Attractions Format Redesign –NCDPI Test Development and Curriculum Staff, TOPS Test Development Staff –Stakeholder Input Listserv 2004 Summer Training Sessions –Regional –Registration before end of school year Science NCAAAI field test in for grades 5, 8, 10

NCAAAI Timeline August (January for spring EOCs) –Inventories available for download by TC –Orders submitted via online ordering system –Orders filled by TOPS –Baseline data collection Midpoint in student participation –Interim data collection

Timeline (contd) Last 30 days of course/year –Final data collection –Overall scores completed –Student information sheets completed NCAAAI student information sheets scanned and locally stored August –Audit

Further Questions? Visit NCAAAI website // testing/ncaaai Contact Pam Biggs at (919)