1. 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

2. 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)
School Year / Audit

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. Accountability Conference 2002
ESEA Requirements: Changes for ?
Reading and Math at grades 3-8 annually & span
Science ( ) 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

7. 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

8. 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)

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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

18. 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)

19. 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

20. Reporting Locally scanned School rosters Frequency distributions
Operational
Locally scanned
School rosters
Frequency distributions
Individual Student Report (EC Advisory Committee)
Summary Reports

21. Data Collection
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)

22. Sample Review (and )
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

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. More Information Testing Section Website: