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)...

Curriculum Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities: The Promise of Universal Design for Learning - A major premise of this report is that access to the curriculum for students with low-incidence disabilities is greatly enhanced by universal design. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a particular framework that applies to education. More specifically, UDL is an approach that can guide curriculum reform. A universally-designed curriculum includes multiple means of representation (to allow various ways of acquiring information and knowledge), multiple means of expression (to allow alternatives for demonstrating knowledge) and multiple means of engagement (to challenge appropriately, to motivate and to allow learners to express and participate in their interests). A number of current contrasting approaches to universal design are described. (Richard Jackson, National Center on Assessing the General Curriculum, 2007)...

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)...