NCLB: 2 Regulations

1. 1 NCLB: 2% Regulations CEC’s Analysis of Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Achievement Standards CEC CAN Meeting June 10, 2007

2. 2 Brief Summary of 2% Regulations Additional flexibility in assessing students with disabilities for purposes of AYP Up to 2% of all students (20% of students with disabilities) may now take an alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards Content standards are not modified, but achievement expectations are less difficult than those on the general test

3. 3 Brief Summary of 2% Regulations (cont.) A student may take an alternate assessment in one subject area and take the general assessment in another, based on the decision of the IEP team States are not required to develop modified academic achievement standards States are tasked with determining the criteria for identifying children and creating an assessment

4. 4 Brief Background of 2% Rule Currently, 1% of all students (10% of students with disabilities) can take an alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards Students with most significant cognitive disabilities For some children, the alternate assessment is too easy and the regular assessment is too difficult, hence the 2% group of students

5. 5 What are Modified Academic Achievement Standards? Academic achievement standards aligned with grade-level content standards but modified in a way that make them a less rigorous expectation of mastery of grade-level academic content standards Example: Replacing the most difficult items on the general test with simpler items appropriate for the grade level; eliminate distracter answers in multiple-choice items Based on a State’s grade-level academic content standards for which the student is enrolled and cannot be out-of-grade level testing

6. 6 What are Modified Academic Achievement Standards? (cont.) Describe at least three levels of achievement Are developed through a documented and validated standards setting process Are challenging for eligible students

7. 7 Do Modified Academic Achievement Standards Allow for Out-of-Level Testing? No. The U.S. Department is very clear that modified academic achievement standards are aligned to the grade level content of the eligible student and a focus on content out of grade level would lower expectations and limit opportunities for eligible students to meet grade-level standards Modified academic achievement standards should help a student move closer to grade-level achievement

8. 8 Who is Eligible to Participate in Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards? The IEP team, with a criteria established by the State, will determine which students with disabilities are eligible to participate in alternate assessments based on modified academic achievement standards. This criteria must include:

9. 9 Who is Eligible to Participate in Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards? (cont.) That the student’s disability has precluded the student from achieving grade-level proficiency as demonstrated by a student’s performance on: The State’s assessment; Other assessments; and The student’s progress in response to appropriate instruction which even if significant growth is made, the IEP team is reasonably certain that the student will not achieve grade-level proficiency

10. 10 Who is Eligible to Participate in Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards? (cont.) Determination of the student’s progress must be based on multiple measures over a period of time

11. 11

12. 12 Guidance from States