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Florida Alternate Assessment Test |
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What is the alternate assessment? The Florida Alternate Assessment is an assessment that measures student achievement on the Sunshine State Standards through access points. Access points reflect the core intent of the standards but with less complexity. They ensure access to academic skills and concepts that apply to same age peers. The academic areas assessed include reading, mathematics, writing, and science. If you would like to know more about the access points, you can find them at www.flstandards.org. Why do we need alternate assessments? The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with disabilities have access to the general curriculum. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) also speaks to the inclusion of all children in a state's accountability system. To provide an option for participation in testing for all students, including those for whom a paper and pencil test is not appropriate, Florida has developed the Florida Alternate Assessment. Who decides on the alternate assessment?
The child's individual
educational plan (IEP) team determines whether a student
with disabilities will participate in alternate assessment.
The IEP team should consider the student's present level of
educational performance in reference to the Sunshine State
Standards. In order to facilitate informed and equitable
decision making, IEP teams should answer each of the following
questions when determining the appropriate assessment.
1. Is the student unable to master the Sunshine State Standards, even with appropriate and allowable course accommodations? 2. Is the student's demonstrated cognitive ability the primary reason for the inability to master these standards? 3. Is the student participating in a modified curriculum basted on competencies in the Sunshine State Standards Access Points for all academic areas? 4. Does the student require extensive direct instruction in academic and vocational competencies as well as domestic, community living and leisure activities? 5. Does the student have deficits in adaptive behavior, as demonstrated by the inability to function effectively, and independently in everyday living skills (interpersonal and social interactions) across a variety of settings. If the IEP team determines that ALL five of the questions accurately characterize a student's current educational situation, then the Florida Alternate Assessment should be used to provide a meaningful evaluation of the the student's current academic achievement. If "yes" is not indicated in all five areas, then the student should participate in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT) with accommodations, as appropriate. For more information, please visit 2008 Florida Alternate Assessment Administration Training Video
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