1. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Overview of Existing Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) Sheryl Lazarus National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Kick-Off for GSEG Projects January 16, 2008

2. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Purpose of this Study To provide a snapshot of the characteristics of the AA-MAS at a time shortly after the April 2007 regulations were finalized.

3. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Questions  In July 2007 which states either had an assessment that they considered to be AA-MAS or had information about an AA-MAS in development on their website?  What were the eligibility criteria for students to qualify to participate in this assessment option?  What were the characteristics of these assessments?

4. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Caveats  States believed these assessments to be an AA-MAS, but they had not yet gone through peer review.  Since the assessments analyzed in this study were developed prior to the final regulations some of the characteristics of these early AA-MAS may not fully comply with the regulations.

5. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) In July 2007 Five States Had an Assessment that They Believed Was an AA-MAS: Kansas Louisiana North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma In addition to these states, Maryland had information on its website about an AA-MAS that the state was developing.

6. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Number of States With Selected Eligibility Criteria Criteria No. of States Student has IEP6 Multiple years behind grade level expectations4 Not based on categorical label4 Does not have significant cognitive disabilities4 Not due to excessive absences or to social, cultural, environmental, or economic factors 4 Learning grade level content3 Not based on placement setting2 Previously scored at unsatisfactory level2

7. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Type of Assessment/Types of Questions StatePortfolioMultiple Choice Constructed Response Writing Prompt KSX LAXXX MDX NCX NDX OKXX Total1512

8. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) ChangeNo. of States Distractor Removed4 Fewer Items4 Simplified Language4 Shorter Passages3 Segmentation of Passages1 Number of States That Made Selected Content Changes

9. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Accommodations Incorporated into AA-MAS Design Accommodation No. of States Fewer items/page3 Larger font size3 Calculator2 Breaks as needed2 Key text underlined/bolded1

10. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Considerations

11. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Consideration 1  The identification of students who may qualify to participate in this option.

12. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Eligibility Criteria The State must “Establish and monitor implementation of clear and appropriate guidelines for IEP teams to apply in developing and implementing IEPs for students who are assessed based on modified academic achievement standards.” Sec. 200.1(f)(2)(ii)

13. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Consideration 2  How these students access grade level content.

14. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Access to Grade-Level Content “Ensure that students who are assessed based on modified academic achievement standards have access to the curriculum, including instruction, for the grade in which the students are enrolled.” Sec. 200.1(f)(2)(B)(iii)

15. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Consideration 3  How these students show what they know.

16. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) Instruction, Assessment, and High Expectations “In validating an assessment, the State must also consider the consequences of its interpretation and use.” Standards and Assessments Peer Review Guidance (12/21/07 Revision, p. 39)

17. National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) www.nceo.info Sheryl Lazarus Phone: 612.625.6032 Email: laza0019@umn.edu NCEO Resources