Toward a "Common Definition of English Learner" - It sounds so simple. All consortia creating assessments for the Common Core State Standards must define English Learner. However, a brief from the Council of Chief State School Officers advises it will be a very difficult endeavor requiring “a carefully coordinated, multiyear effort within and across consortia.” Massive variation exists between states in identifying ELs, classifying degrees of proficiency, annual assessments to determine progress, and assessments that reveal when a student is proficient enough to exit. (Linquanti, CCSSO, February 2013)...

Alternate Assessment Based on Modified Achievement Standards: An Initial Review of State Implementation - This report, completed as part of the cooperative agreement between Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education, is a review of the implementation of the alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS) by states that have chosen to make it a part of their assessment program. (Eileen Ahearn, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, May 2009)...

A State Guide to the Development of Universally Designed Assessments - Universal design for assessments is an approach to educational assessment based on principles of accessibility for a wide variety of end users. Elements of universal design include inclusive test population; precisely defined constructs; accessible, non-biased items; tests that are amenable to accommodations; simple, clear and intuitive instructions and procedures; maximum readability and comprehensibility; and maximum legibility. The purpose of this guide is to provide states with strategies for designing tests from the very beginning, through conceptualization and item construction, field-testing, item reviews, statewide operationalization and evaluation. The objective is to create tests that present an accurate measure of the knowledge and skills of the diverse population of students enrolled in today’s public schools. (Christopher Johnstone, Jason Altman and Martha Thurlow, National Center on Educational Outcomes, September 2006) ...

Expectations for Students with Special Needs MS Word - The new Elementary and Secondary Education Act requires that schools serve not only the easy-to-educate students but all students, regardless of the language they speak, ethnicity or race, family income or disability. This article discusses how states can accomplish this goal, especially in light of the fact that 80% or more of students labeled as disabled are considered to have mild disabilities. (Kathy Christie, "Stateline", Phi Delta Kappan, May 2002)...