Why was the NCAAAI Developed? Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997 All students, including those with IEPs or Section 504 plans, must participate in the statewide testing program. NC Alternate Assessment Portfolio (NCAAP) NC Computerized Adaptive Testing System (NCCATS) Accommodation

History of the NCAAAI Late Fall 2000 It was determined that a small group of students could not be supported by the NCAAP or NCCATS Late December 2000/Options/Development began Discussion/Conflict concerning implementation dates (Spring 2001 vs. Fall 2001) 2001-2002 School Year / Audit

New Way of Thinking The NCAAAI is an ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT for ANY student who cannot access the traditional test even with accommodations (must meet requirements). Students with Disabilities just happened to be the first group required by federal law.

What is the NCAAAI? Checklist of competencies based on the NCSCS scored using individual scales for each content area: Reading (Grades 3-8, 10) Mathematics (Grades 3-8, 10) Writing (Grades 4, 7, & 10) EOC (Pilot Spring 2003) Envelope format Collection of evidence to support FINAL scores

What Happened? No Child Left Behind No exemptions Same standard, Same content Options: Multiple-Choice Test State-Developed Portfolio Checklist

Accountability Conference 2002 ESEA Requirements: Changes for 2002-03? Reading and Math at grades 3-8 annually & 10-12 span Science (2005-06) in each grade span (3-5, 6-9, &10-12) Tested in English at three consecutive years in US Annual measurable assessment of LEP students North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section August 28, 2002 Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section

Why not use the Local Portfolio? Designed for a different purpose Locally-developed Must be aligned with the state test and all objectives Greater work than a checklist

Which LEP students are Eligible? Assigned grade level of 3-8 or 10 Score below Intermediate/High for reading on IPT Test for Reading or Math Test Score below Superior for writing Within 24 months of entry into the LEA (must attempt to retrieve previous score and clock continues)

Who decides? LEP Students assessed ON-GRADE level ONLY “May” participate in the NCAAAI for up to 24 months Local decision Different options

Why should you use the NCAAAI? Valid results Flexibility in showing performance Show growth Instructional value from year to year No test anxiety for the student AYP

Who Completes? Must have training in the content area Must work routinely with the student Principal has authority

Concerns and Quandaries No Exemptions NC Standard Course of Study (NC SCS) Using an “EC” assessment for “LEP” Workload/Myths Training It’s NEW

Training? Train-the-Trainer Model (RACS) LEA TC trains the Test Coordinator Training for local staff is a collaboration between Testing and LEA staff (local decision) NCDPI/EC Training (Summer 2002) Testing Section Training Fall 2003 (Dates to be announced this week)

Accountability Conference 2002 LEP & IEP Which is the overriding factor? No definitive guidelines Best judgement Review the different testing instruments North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section August 28, 2002 Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section

When are the Inventories Scored? Three times per year First month of participation=Baseline data Interim Month Last month of school=Final data Evidence is collected to support Final Spring scores Only.

How is the Inventory Scored? Description of Student Performance to give each competency a score from 1-8 Objectives by Goals, Categories, or Sections Overall Score Growth is ANY growth

Achievement Levels: Final Overall Score Assessed On-Grade Level: Level 4 (7-8) Level 3 (5-6) Level 2 (3-4) Level 1 (1-2)

Examples of Evidence Local Tests (LT) Samples of Student Work (SW) Teacher Observations (TO) Teacher-Made Tests (TT) Audio Tapes (AT) Other (specify) – Any Means to show performance

Reporting Locally scanned School rosters Frequency distributions 2001-2002 Operational Locally scanned School rosters Frequency distributions Individual Student Report (EC Advisory Committee) Summary Reports

Data Collection 2001-02 Scores transferred to scannable sheets during the last month of school Local Test Coordinators scan the sheets Data transferred to the NCDPI during the end-of-year process Student Notebooks will be stored locally for six months (sample returned)

2001-02 Sample Review (and 2002-2003) April 1 release of LEA sample list / 10% Return everything (inventories, notebook, evidence, forms, etc.) Report percentages for each area to the LEA Review in August Return to LEAs in September

NCAAAI and the ABCs 2001-2002 Operational administration Performance Composite 2002-2003 Operational administration for Grades 3-8 &10 Pilot administration for EOC (Spring only) Pending data analysis Growth Component Performance Composite

2002-2003 Timeline May-June 2002 August 2002 NCAAAIs scanned and locally stored July-August 2002 Audit August 2002 Inventories available on-line (TNN) to TC Order system up August-Sept. 2002 Intact NCAAAI are shipped

Accountability Conference 2002 Update Guidelines for Testing LEP Students (moving forward) LEP Advisory Committee LEP LEA Coordinators ESL Teachers Principals with LEP experience Assistant Superintendent LEA Test Coordinators CommunityAdvocates (Hispanic and Hmong Representation) Met April 2002 Met July 2002 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section August 28, 2002 Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section

More Information Testing Section Website: http://www.NCPublicSchools.org/accountability/testing