Bulletin Board

Assessment Accommodations Update

KSDE is continuing conversations with the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) regarding the use of several Kansas NT codes used for students with disabilities where certain accommodations are provided.  We are currently awaiting news from the USDOE on this matter.  Until then, we provide the following clarification and recommendations

Clarification:

Accommodations recently determined to invalidate the state assessment scores for students with disabilities or 504 plans according to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE):

·                     student or teacher generated math journals

·                     calculators on non-calculator portions of the assessment,       

·                     reading the reading assessment

According to the USDOE, these accommodations can still be determined most appropriate for a student; however, KSDE can no longer count students with IEPs or 504 plans in the 1% cap because it does not meet the requirements for an alternate achievement standard.   Any accommodation which changes the construct of what is being tested would invalidate the assessment. 

It is important to note that all other allowable accommodations may continue to be used.  However, if student or teacher generated math journals, calculators on non-calculator portions of the assessment, or reading the reading assessment are provided it will invalidate the test and the student will be counted as though he/she did not participate for AYP calculations.  IEP teams may still consider and determine these accommodations to be appropriate.  However, because they will invalidate the state assessment score, IEP teams are encouraged to consider other accommodations that would meet the student’s needs and count as participating without invalidating the score.  Parents should be fully informed of the consequences for their child if these accommodations are selected for use on the state assessment.

Recommendations:   

For IEPs and 504 plans listing state assessment accommodations: student or teacher generated math journals, calculators for non-calculator portions of the Math assessment, or reading the Reading assessment:  Until KSDE receives final guidance from the USDOE, we recommend waiting to make IEP revisions.  However, if an LEA desires to make revisions at this time, the following statement is recommended.

 This (These) accommodation(s) will be available for use on the state assessment unless the U.S. Department of Education Guidelines indicates that scores for students receiving these accommodations on state assessments will not count toward participation or meeting state standards.  

Please note that parental consent is required for IEP revisions regarding these state assessment accommodations.  The school may obtain consent by holding an IEP meeting or by using the IEP amendment form available online at www.kansped.org.  If the school wishes to amend the IEP rather than hold an IEP meeting, the parent may still request an IEP meeting to discuss these changes if desired.  Of course, parents also have a right to refuse consent for the recommended revisions. 

In the future, KSDE may consider revising the state standards so use of such accommodations would not change the construct of what is being assessed.  In the meantime, KSDE will continue ongoing conversations with the USDOE and OSEP regarding this matter and will notify the field of these decisions as soon as possible.  Please contact Jeanette Souther at jsouther@ksde.org or 1-785-296-7780 if you have questions regarding this matter. 

Please be aware this is a national concern and Kansas is not being singled out.  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/louv/20061024-9999-lz1e24louv.html

December 20th 2006