New York State Alternate Assessment
Candace ShyerBureau Chief, Test DevelopmentOffice of Standards, Assessment and Reporting
USDE Peer Review
In response to a 2005-06 review of the NYS testing program by the USDE, NYSAA was restructured for 2006–07
Stakeholder groups were assembled by SED to conduct a review of the core curriculum and general education assessment blueprints for ELA, math, science, and social studies
These groups determined priorities for NYSAA based on the core curriculum, assessment blueprints, and developmental applicability for students with severe cognitive disabilities
NYSAA alternate grade level indicators (AGLIs) are now linked to grade level content standards
The content assessed in NYSAA is clearly related to the grade level content; however it is reduced in scope and complexity
Alignment study and standard setting are scheduled
What’s the same? Limited to students with severe cognitive
disabilities – same definition
CSE decision
IEP wording re: assessment
Procedural validity
Measures are Independence and Accuracy
What’s the same? (cont’d) Datafolio assessment
Required documentation for NYSAA datafolios remains the same
Types of verifying evidence are the same however evidence must support data for last two dates documented on Data Summary Sheet
Same definition for who is eligible to take NYSAA- student with severe cognitive disability
What’s Changed? 1 year later than peers Alignment to Learning
Standards Alternate Performance
Indicators (APIs) Open selection of APIs within
content areas Evidence varies by Grade
Assessed Green and Black Book, NYSAA
Resource Guides and old materials
Same age as peers Alignment to Grade Level
Expectations Alternate Grade Level Indicators
(AGLIs) Mandated selections of material
within content areas Standardized evidence formula
2:3:2 NYSAA Administration Manual,
NYSAA Frameworks and new materials
Key Dates 2006-07 June: Title I Peer Assessment Review
July-October: Redesign of NYSAA
November: Materials Shipped, On-line
November: Training of AATN Turnkey Trainers
December: Local District Training by AATN
Jan 2-March 9: Administration Period
April 9-May 11: Regional Scoring
June 4-15: Standard Setting
Summer-Fall: nySTART Reports Results
Mandated Content Areas
Chronological age chart dictates content areas to assess
Performance expectations vary by grade, so key ideas/ strands/ units used for assessment vary by grade
Prescribed by the NYSAA Test Blueprints
Process for Grade Level Alignment
State Test Blueprint priorities grade by grade
Core Curriculum components reviewed for corresponding performance expectations
Grade-level performance expectations were distilled to their Essences
Alternate Grade Level Indicators (AGLIs) for each set of Essences reflect entry points to the main ideas of the curriculum at each grade level
Where is all this going? This is the next evolutionary step for special
education
Defines access to general education curriculum by grade and essences
The content assessed in NYSAA is clearly related to the grade level content; however it is reduced in scope and complexity
Raises academic expectations for students with severe cognitive disabilities
Assures that all students count
Key Dates 2007-08
March 2007: Revision Workgroup Adds More Sample Tasks
April-June 2007: iEnrollment for Verification of Sites to Receive Fall Training Materials
August 2007: Materials Shipped, On-line
September 2007: Training of AATN Turnkey Trainers
September-October 2007: Local District Training by AATN
Key Dates 2007-08 (cont’d)
October 1, 2007-February 8, 2008: Administration Period
January 2008: Benchmarking February 2008: LSET Survey Available On-line March 2008: Training of SSC Turnkey Trainers June 2008: Standard Setting
References Peer Review letter, June 2006
www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/nclbfinalassess/index.html
Memo re: Ungraded, August 2006 www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/ungraded.htm
Memo re: NYSAA, August 2006 www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/alterassessment/changesadmin.htm
Guide re: Accommodations and Testing, May 2006 www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/testaccess/ policyguide.htm
Guide re: Sample IEP Guidance Document, May 2005 www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/iep/memo1205.htm
Alternate Assessment Web Page www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/alterassessment/home.html
Resources
NYSAA Regional Lead Trainers
NYSAA Training Specialists
NYSED Office of Standards, Assessment and Reporting (OSAR) – Victoria Ferrara