Martha Thurlow November 18, 2009 Assessments for Students with Disabilities

Overview Requirements for Race to Top Assessments Computer-based Assessments Some Bottom Lines

Requirements Start by recognizing that students with disabilities are general education students first  Design assessments from the beginning with all students in mind, including students with disabilities

Requirements Define allowable accommodations as part of the assessment development process  Work from clear grade-level content standards

Requirements Include all students  No exceptions!

Computer-based Testing Incorporate “accommodations” Increase transparency about content standards assessed Use grade-based criterion- referenced approach

Bottom Lines Do nothing that would reopen doors to lowered expectations and outcomes for students with disabilities Do nothing that could result in a separate curriculum for some students with disabilities Do nothing that would track students into a separate achievement expectation early in their school careers