1. Colorado Alternate Assessment CoAlt

2. Introduction 3 Modules Completion Quiz Overview (this module)
CoAlt ELA/Math (DLM)
CoAlt SC/SS
Completion Quiz
Finish Modules
Complete Quiz
Access to the DLM system is enabled (can take 1-2 weeks)

3. What is the CoAlt?
The Colorado Alternate Assessment (CoAlt) is a standards-based assessment designed specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities and is meant to provide a picture of student performance to schools, districts, educators, parents and the community.
The CoAlt assesses a student’s performance in English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

4. Who are the Students?????
Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities…
Receive instruction on the Extended Evidence Outcomes (EEOs)
Requires extensive, repeated, and individualized instruction
Uses substantially adapted and/or modified materials
Not IDEA category specific
CANNOT have a Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Generally – ID, MD, Autism, D/B
Not all students with ID should qualify
CoAlt intended for students 3 SD below mean (~55>)

5. Why is this Important?
Ensure the correct students participate in the correct test…
Federal Law (IDEA, ESSA 1% cap)
IQ tests have ranges and error bands
Instruction linked to EEOs and not general standard
Graduation rates for students with disabilities are 20% lower (Schiffer, 2016)
84% vs. 63%
51% of students with ID graduated with diploma/certificate
15% of adults with ID are employed (thearc.org, 2016)

6. CoAlt Assessment Administration
Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities take the Colorado Alternate Assessments (CoAlt)
Science and Social Studies (Colorado-developed)
Elementary, Middle, and High School Assessments
Science: grades 5, 8, and 11
Social studies: grades 4, 7, and 11
A sample of schools will administer the social studies assessments
English language arts and mathematics (DLM-developed)
Grades 3-8, 9-11
Alternate for ELA and Math, PSAT and SAT

7. Who can give the CoAlt? Certified teacher
Full/part time classroom teacher
Related services provider (SLP, OT, etc.)
Long term certified substitute (see note below)
Participate in training every year
Para-educators cannot administer the CoAlt (ELA/Math/SC/SS)
May be in room as a behavioral/medical/translation support
Must sign security agreement
*Districts cannot hire substitutes to give any part of the CoAlt while classroom teachers are with the students.

8. CoAlt Structure There are two different vendors for CoAlt.
Science and Social Studies
Pearson
Paper based
Registrations are through PAnext
SS: 4,7, & 11 if peers are taking
SC: 5,8, & 11
ELA and Math
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
Computer based
Registrations are through Educator Portal
Grades 3-8 as alternate to CMAS
Grades 9-11 as alternate to PSAT/SAT

9. CoAlt: Science and Social Studies
Paper-based assessment
Individually administered
Scored locally by the Test Examiner
Scores are entered into the PearsonAccessnext portal 9

10. Score Entry Test Examiners enter scores into PAnext
Score entry window closes Wednesday, May 1, 2019
DO NOT return any materials until you have verified that the student scores have been entered

11. CoAlt: ELA and Math (DLM)
Computer-based assessment
Individually administered
Test Administrators/DACs use Educator Portal for student management
Students test using KITE Client
Same window as CMAS: ELA and Math
If using the 3-week window (paper-based or online), have the same 3 week window for DLM.
If using the 6-week extended window for the general online assessments, have the same 6-week window for DLM. 11

12. Chain of Custody A documented chain of custody must be kept
Test materials must be secure at all times and shredded in a secure manner when completed
Student log-in and passwords are secure
Testlet Information Page (TIPs) are secure
- Secure storage: CoAlt Test Examiners must account for and return test materials and individualized accommodations to the SAC for storage in a secure and locked location immediately after administration, at least on a daily basis. Test materials must not be stored in classrooms.
SAC distributes materials to Test Examiners: The SAC is responsible for the distribution of test materials to CoAlt Test Examiners and for the collection of the test materials during the preparations or accommodations as well as on each day of testing. SACs will have Test Examiners sign the CoAlt materials out and back in once returned. Only materials for the student being assessed at that time should be distributed to the Test Examiner.
-Due to the unique nature of the CoAlt: Science and Social Studies assessments, Test Examiners may need access to a student’s materials prior to the test’s administration in order to prepare any necessary accommodations and organize the provided student materials and manipulatives.

13. Test Window CMAS Regular Window – ELA/Math/SC/SS
April 8 – April 26
CMAS Extended Window – ELA and Math ONLY
March 18
CMAS Early Window for HS Science ONLY
March 25 – April 12
April 1 – 19
PSAT 9/10
April 9, 10, or 11
SAT
April 9
Note: Students taking the CoAlt should be tested at the same time as their peers to the greatest extent possible so that any disruptions to instruction are minimized.

14. Scheduling Individual administration Untimed
Estimated times in minutes
Science/SS
Mean Time
Grade 4 34
Grade 5 30
Grade 7 35
Grade 8 33
Mean
Testlet Time
Total
ELA 5
25-35
Math 7
35-49
Remember this is an untimed individually administered assessment, and students should be provided the time they need to complete the assessment.
To help with scheduling, I have provided the mean and median times from spring 2015 administration.

15. Monitoring CoAlt Monitoring is required for Peer Review
Not a “gotcha”
Intended to help CDE improve training and communication
Monitors work directly with the DAC, SAC, and teacher to schedule the best time to visit
Try to maximize observations
Try to minimize disruptions

16. Wrap Up

17. Remember! CoAlt Science and Social Studies are paper based
Data management happens in Pearson Access Next
Only for SC (grades 5, 8, & 11) and SS (grades 4, 7, and 11)
Teacher scores the test
Scores are manually entered into Panext
Paper materials are returned to Pearson
CoAlt ELA and Math are computer based
Data management happens in Educator Portal
Student testing happens in KITE
Only for ELA and Math (grades 3-11)
KITE system scores the testlets
There are no materials to be returned
Everything is securely destroyed at the local level

18. Link to Quiz
All teachers must complete a CoAlt Training quiz in order to gain access to the Educator Portal System. The link to the quiz is provided in the final module.

19. Questions? Assessment Questions Instruction Questions
Mindy Roden (CoAlt training, EP, testing)
Jasmine Carey (EP, data)
Instruction Questions
Gina Hererra

20. DLM Service Desk
SERVICE DESK Current hours: 6:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. MDT, M–F