© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved Florida Alternate Assessment Update Monica Verra-Tirado Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. From Preschool to Post-School Outcomes Preparing Florida’s Students to Become College and Career Ready Ds Equity, Access and Attainment

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. The Emphasis of IDEA 04 “Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities” (sec. 1400(c)(1))

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Moving from Access to Attainment: Statewide Equity and Excellence Increase Number of Students Graduating College and Career Ready Improve Graduation Rate Decrease Dropout Rate Improve Post-School Outcomes Results

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Five Game Changers for SWD Aligning early childhood services and k-12 services for students with disabilities Developing policies that would push all teachers to be prepared and trained to work with SWD and parents Providing access to differentiated instruction, and effective intervention to all SWD Including all students in assessment by making the assessments fully accessible Providing more transition planning for students moving into post- secondary and career opportunities (OSEP, 2012)

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: ENSURING MEANINGFUL DIPLOMAS FOR ALL STUDENTS

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: ENSURING MEANINGFUL DIPLOMAS FOR ALL STUDENTS Recommendations Set high college and career expectations and clear goals for SWD Limit the number of diploma options for SWD Identify multiple, equally rigorous paths for SWD Identify appropriate diploma options for students with SCD Research the impact of state graduation requirements and diploma options on student outcomes

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. High School Graduation Requirements S (11), F.S. The majority of students with disabilities will continue to earn a standard diploma by meeting the same graduation requirements as all students In , nearly 60% of students with disabilities earned a standard diploma.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , Florida Administrative Code Describes two high school graduation options available only to students with disabilities

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Standard Diploma via Access Courses Must meet the same 24 course requirements as all students, but will use access courses Access Algebra 1 instead of Algebra 1, etc. Other ESE courses and core courses may be used in certain circumstances May substitute a CTE course with content related for access English IV, one access math, one access science and one access social studies Not access Algebra, Geometry, Biology or US History Course substitutions must be approved by DOE CTE courses may be modified

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Standard Diploma via Access Courses Must take the Florida Alternate Assessment in reading, math and science until replaced Must score 4 or above or have results waived If results waived, demonstrate achievement via a portfolio (best practice - collect portfolio artifacts for all students) NOTE: There has been no change in who can take access courses and the alternate assessment. Students must have a significant cognitive disability and parents must consent.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Standard Diploma via Academic and Employment-based Courses Must meet the same 24 course requirements as all students Must earn at least one-half credit in an employment-based course Documented achievement of components on employment transition plan May substitute a CTE course with content related for English IV, one math, science and one social studies Not Algebra, Geometry, Biology or US History

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Our Students are Ready! Students who started 9 th grade in were either on access points or taking general education courses in middle school They were successful in being promoted to high school They want and deserve the opportunity to earn a standard diploma!

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Access Points and Courses Standards Courses Assessments

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Florida Standards Access Points Access Points are academic expectations written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities. As part of the Florida Standards, access points reflect the core intent of the standards that apply to all students in the same grade, but at reduced levels of complexity. Access courses are designed to provide students with a significant cognitive disability with access to the general curriculum.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Florida Standard- MAFS.1.G.1.3 Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares. Understand for these examples that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares. Access Point- MAFS.1.G.1.AP.3a Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal parts. Essential Understandings Concrete: Identify that when a shape is folded and its sides match up it has been partitioned into two or four equal parts. Use manipulatives to partition shapes. Representation: Select pictures that have been partitioned into two or four equal parts.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Essential Understandings for ELA and Math These are supports and scaffolds that help teachers provide instruction at a level where a student may begin to interact with grade level content. They serve as benchmarks along the continuum of learning to ensure progress toward the access points. These are developed and reviewed with FDOE and stakeholders.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Essential Understandings

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. How can I find the new access points and essential understandings? Access Points can be found on the CPALMS website at Essential Understandings can be found on the Access project website at Essential Understandings will be added to CPALMS in the near future.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Course Updates Over the past few years, course offerings have reflected an effort to increase students’ opportunities to be educated in the least restrictive environment. In , all ESE K – 5 subject area courses were removed from the Course Code Directory. In , all ESE 6 -8 core courses were removed from the Course Code Directory. In 2014,15, all ESE 9-12 core courses were removed from the Course Code Directory.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Course Updates Fundamental Courses have been daggered and will no longer be available after the school year Link to Course Code Directory: course-directory.stml course-directory.stml

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Students ENROLLED in Access courses (grades 3-8) during the year ELA- 16,994 Math- 16,816 Students ASSESSED (FAA) (grades 3-8) during the year ELA- 17,087 Math- 17,076

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Statewide – more students in grades 3-8 took the FAA than those enrolled in Access courses aligned to the assessment. SUMMARY

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. FAA- Reading/Language Arts (grades 3-8) 36 districts have more students taking FAA than enrolled in Access Courses that align with the assessment. 28 districts have more students enrolled in Access courses than those assessed by the FAA. 5 districts (Columbia, Hamilton, Pasco, Sumter, and FAU Lab School) have the same number of students enrolled in the Access courses and taking the assessment.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. FAA- Math (grades 3-8) 35 districts have more students taking FAA than enrolled in Access Courses that align with the assessment. 30 districts have more students enrolled in Access courses than those assessed by the FAA. 4 districts (Columbia, Hamilton, St. Lucie, and FAU Lab School) have the same number of students enrolled in the Access courses and taking the assessment.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Who should take the FAA? Who makes the decision? What is the criteria?

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities Rule 6A , F.A.C.

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. What’s New The Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities (Rule 6A , F.A.C.) became effective 12/23/2014 Updated language given statutory changes Amends section addressing consideration of FAA administration Added requirements for medically complex exemption Revised unique accommodation section

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Amends section related to participation in the Florida Alternate Assessment References requirements for parent consent Eliminates redundant language in criteria Even with appropriate and allowable accommodations, assistive technology, or accessible instructional materials the student requires modification to the grade-level general state content standards; AND Student requires direct instruction in ELA, math, social studies and science based on access points 29

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Adds reference to the statutory definition of medical complexity (s , F.S.) Requires documentation from a physician licensed under chapter 458 (MD) or 459(DO) Child is “medically fragile and needs intensive care due to a condition such as congenital or acquired multisystem disease; has a severe neurological or cognitive disorder with marked functional impairment; or is technology dependent for activities of daily living; and lacks the capacity to take or perform on an assessment” 30

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Adds reference to SP&P rule and definition of parent Biological, adoptive, or foster parent; guardian; individual acting as parent (grandparent, stepparent) with whom child lives; surrogate parent Removes requirement that the use of paper based large print is a unique accommodation for a computer-based assessment 31

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Extraordinary exemption criteria – no change Circumstance = allowable accommodations are not offered due to technological limitations in the testing administration program, leading to results that reflect the student’s impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills rather than the student’s achievement Condition = an impairment which affects a student’s ability to communicate in modes deemed acceptable for statewide assessment even if appropriate accommodations are given, leading to results that reflect the student’s impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills rather than the student’s achievement 32

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Review of timelines for extraordinary exemption (no change) Submit written request to Commissioner no later than 60 calendar days before the first day of the administration window for assessment for which the request is made Response from FDOE granting or denying exemption will be provided to the district and parent within 30 calendar days of our receipt of request 33

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Adds additional information to be submitted for an extraordinary exemption The name, address and phone number of the student’s parent Describes exemption options for children with medical complexity A one-year exemption approved by the superintendent A one-, two-, or three-year or permanent exemption approved the Commissioner 34

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Describes procedures for medically complex exemption The parent must consent in writing. The IEP team determines that the student should not be assessed based on medical documentation that confirms that the student meets criteria of medical complexity. The parent selects the exemption option. If the district provides the exemption – a report must be submitted to Commissioner by June 1 st, that includes Student names, grade levels, specific statewide assessments exempted 35

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule If exemption for medical complexity by Commissioner is requested, describes information that must be submitted to FDOE for consideration Student name, grade level, assessment Parent’s name, address and phone number Documentation of consent of parent Documentation of superintendent’s approval Documentation of IEP determination Medical documentation 36

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Rule 6A , F.A.C. – Assessment Rule Timelines for Commissioner’s exemption – (medical complexity) Must be requested by the district no later than 30 calendar days before the 1 st day of the administration window for the assessment for which the request is made Commissioner shall verify, make a determination and notify the district and parent within 20 calendar days after request is received whether exemption is granted or denied 37

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities TAP: (March 20, 2015) Revises and replaces existing Technical Assistance Paper: , Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities. ent-7301/dps pdf ent-7301/dps pdf

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Demographic Information Who’s Taking the Florida Alternate Assessment

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Exceptionality of Students Taking the Florida Alternate Assessment N=22,781

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Exceptionality of Students Taking the Florida Alternate Assessment - Other N=1,101

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Percent of Students by Exceptionality

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. A Historical look at Student FAA Performance

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Results by Academic Area Reading* 2015 {2014} [2013] (2009) Emergent = 29% {29% } [28%] (33%) Achieved = 27% {26%}[25%] (26%) Commended = 44% {44%} [46%] (42%) Mathematics* 2015 {2014} [2013] (2009) Emergent = 28% {31%} [32%] (34%) Achieved = 38% {36%} [37%] (37%) Commended = 33% {32%} [31%] (29%) * Percentages have been rounded and therefore may not sum to exactly 100%

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Reading

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Mathematics

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Results by Academic Area Writing* 2015 {2014} [2013] (2009) Emergent = 32% {31%} [30%] (38%) Achieved = 26% {24%} [24%] (28%) Commended = 42% {45%} [46%] {42%} (34%) Science* 2015 {2014} [2013] (2009) Emergent = 26% {24%} [26%] (30%) Achieved = 38% {36%} [39%] (38%) Commended = 36% {39%} [36%] (32%) * Percentages have been rounded and therefore may not sum to exactly 100%

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Writing

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Science

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. FAA Participation 2008 thru 2015 A Historical Look

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Number of Valid FAA Scores 2008 thru 2015 Reading

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Number of Valid FAA Scores 2008 thru 2015 Mathematics

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Number of Valid FAA Scores 2008 thru 2015 Writing

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Number of Valid FAA Scores 2008 thru 2015 Science

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Important Dates Datafolio Training Dates (volunteer teacher and AAC or District Staff Only): Participants MUST bring up-to-date laptop that can access wireless internet connection Tallahassee – September 29 Orlando – September 30 Miami – October 1

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Important Dates Performance Task Train-the-Trainer Dates: October 22, 21, and 22 One day TTT sessions Hosted in Orlando at the Florida Hotel

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Important Dates Practice Materials and Manuals ship to districts Early to mid November Braille/Tactile Graphic TBD Request for one-sided, Braille, Tactile Only, and EOC exams September 14 – October 16, 2015 *Note: The designated contact person to receive test materials will be notified when the request window to order is open

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Important Dates – Tentative (Subject to change) Florida Standards Alternate Assessment Spring 2016 Testing Schedule: Grades Materials arrive in districts – between February 15 and February 23, 2016 Student testing window – Monday, February 29 – Friday, April 15, 2016 High school Materials arrive in districts – between March 25 and March 30 Student testing window – Monday, April 4 – Friday, April 29, 2016

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Important Dates – Tentative (Subject to change) Florida Standards Alternate Assessment Spring 2016 Testing Schedule: Elementary and Middle School (Grades 3 – 8) Materials arrive in districts – between February 15 and February 24, 2016 Student testing window – Monday, February 29 – Friday, April 15, 2016 Student responses MUST entered into Online Test System by 11:59 PM on April 15th

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Important Dates – Tentative (Subject to change) Florida Standards Alternate Assessment Spring 2016 Testing Schedule: High school (ELA and EOCs) Materials arrive in districts – between March 15 – 17 OR March 21 – 23, 2016 depending on when district Spring Break Student testing window – Upon receipt – Friday, April 29, 2016 Student responses MUST be entered into Online Test System by 11:59 PM on April 29 th Retuning Materials ALL materials (Test Booklet, Response Booklet, Passage booklet and all ancillary materials) for ALL GRADES must be returned to Piedra Data Services no later than May 13, 2016

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved. Monica Verra-Tirado, Chief Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services

© 2014, Florida Department of Education. All Rights Reserved.