Alternate Assessments - study by the University of Minnesota - Brief Article

School Administrator, Oct, 2000

The most prevalent form of alternate assessment in use across the country is a collection of a body of evidence that assesses functional indicators of progress toward state standards using a variety of strategies.

That was one of the findings of a new study issued by the National Center on Educational Outcomes at the University of Minnesota. The group studied alternate assessments, which are now required under the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for the small number of students with disabilities who cannot participate in district- and state-level assessments.

Among the other findings:

* Wide divergence exists among who is involved in developing the alternate assessments. Many states included general and special educators in the design of assessments, while a small number used only special educators.

* Only a few states have implemented their alternative strategies statewide, though many are close to doing so; and

* A total of 15 states have information about their alternate assessments on their Web sites.

Copies of "State Alternate Assessments: Status as IDEA Alternate Assessment Requirements Take Effect" are available for $20 from NCEO at 612-624-8561 or www.coled.umn.edu/nceo.>

COPYRIGHT 2000 American Association of School Administrators

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