ALABAMA ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT (AAA)

1. ALABAMA ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT (AAA) Dr. Cathy McNeal, Director Assessment and Accountability April 1, 2014

2. Purpose of Training • Present training for the administration of the Spring Revised 2014 AAA • Discuss the “alerts” and provide reminders of unique characteristics of the AAA assessment and areas that require special attention.

3. AAA Building Test Coordinators • For each specific test, the Principals and Building Test Coordinators are responsible for following all State Department regulations and guidelines for monitoring assessments. • Building Test Coordinators are responsible for all staff and faculty training involved in testing. • Building Test Coordinators MUST maintain documentation of all staff and faculty attendance at testing workshops.

4. AAA is a SECURE State Assessment • AAA is a secure state assessment. • All state requirements and procedures regarding security, distribution and collection, administration, and storage must be followed. • Portfolio performance assessment • ◦ Reading Grades 3-8 and 11 • ◦ Mathematics Grades 3-8 and 11 • ◦ Science Grades 5, 7, and 11 • All tests are administered in ENGLISH. • Designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities

5. Grade 10 AAA Students must have EVIDENCE submitted on ALL Extended Standards • Grade 10 students will take PLAN or AAA. • Evidence for Grade 10 is not submitted for the AAA, but it will be collected and scored locally. • Collect 3 pieces of evidence for each Alabama Extended Standard for Grade 10 – Deadline May 2, 2014, • Score locally, • Keep on file locally to use for educational planning) with option of UNIACT (career interest inventory in PLAN).

6. Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA) Information • The following information has been posted for your convenience on the Student Assessment Webpage on the ALSDE Webpage. • You may click on the following link to access the Alabama Alternate Assessment Webpage or you may click on each individual link to access individual materials.   • http://www.alsde.edu/home/Sections/SectionDocuments.aspx?SectionID=91&Subsection=28 • The Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA) Handbook is now posted under AAA Information • https://docs.alsde.edu/documents/91/AAA_Handbook_2014.pdf • Test Administrator’s Manuals TAMs are now posted under AAA Information. https://docs.alsde.edu/documents/91/AAA_Test_Administrators_Manual_Revised_2011.pdf • Link to AAA Overview podcast for training • http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=1313 • Link to AAA Assembling the Body of Evidence Box for Scoring • http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=1311

8. REMINDERS for Building Test Coordinators Training in each School for Test Administrators • Copy ALERTS and hand out hard copies to all Test Administrators. • Distribute the correct materials used for the assessment and use the correct distribution signature form.

9. Test Security Plan for Each High School for Training Personnel on Test Administration and Test Security VII. Procedures for Training System Personnel on Test Administration and Test Security Training sessions on test administration and test security will be conducted prior to all test administrations. The system-level training will be conducted approximately one to three weeks before testing. The school-level training will be conducted as soon as possible after system-level training by no later than one week prior to testing. All schools will receive a system-level digital copy of the PowerPoint presentation of the system-level training immediately after each test system-level training session to digitally disseminate to all test administrators and proctors. The STC will be trained during the SDE workshops and will conduct training at the system level. Participants in the system-level training will be central office personnel (to include Special Education Coordinator, 504 Coordinator, and ESL Coordinator), monitors, and BTCs. The BTCs will train principals, test administrators and proctors. Documentation of training will be kept for the system-level and school-level trainings. Documentation will include an agenda for each training session, a sign-in sheet signed by all those in attendance, and a signed Test Security Policy for each individual. All documentation of the system-level training and school-level training will be kept in the STC’s office. All documentation of school-level training will be kept by the BTC at each school with a copy sent to the STC’s office.

10. Every time the AAA assessment materials change hands • Counted • Signed for • No extras

11. Alabama Alternate Assessment • Is a portfolio assessment • Is based on the Alabama Extended Standards in reading, mathematics, and science which were developed by a task force made up of special education teachers, regular education teachers, and administrators • Is a collection of evidence of the assessment of the student’s mastery of each extended standard

12. Alabama Alternate Assessment • Alabama Extended Standards are the curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities. • All extended standards for the grade-level of enrollment according to STI must be taught and tested. • Each extended standard must have three (3) pieces of evidence to illustrate the student’s performance on that standard. • Each piece of evidence submitted must stand on its own.  Teachers will not have an opportunity to explain or clarify evidence once it is submitted. • The evidence alone will determine the scores on the AAA. • Criteria to consider during the IEP decision-making process regarding which assessment is appropriate • Student’s cognitive functioning • IQ of 55 and below • Student’s taught curriculum • Revised 2006 Alabama Extended Standards

13. Alabama Extended Standards • The Alabama Extended Standards are the courses of study • for students with significant cognitive disabilities • who participate in the Alabama Alternate Assessment.

14. How to Access the Extended Standards • www.alsde.edu • Click on “Sections” and scroll down to select “Special Education” • Click on “Standards” • Scroll down and select: • Extended Standards MATH • Extended Standards READING • Extended Standards SCIENCE

15. Alabama Alternate Assessment • Is a portfolio assessment • Is based on the Alabama Extended Standards in reading, mathematics, and science which were developed by a task force made up of special education teachers, regular education teachers, and administrators • Is a collection of evidence of the assessment of the student’s mastery of each extended standard

16. Alert 1 – Primary Contact Dr. Cathy McNeal, Director, Research and Development with Huntsville City Schools is your primary contact for AAA at 256 428 6966. For additional materials and/or shipping, contact Dr. Cathy McNeal at 428 6966. CTB/McGraw-Hill (CTB) is the vendor for the Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA).

17. AAA Alerts 2 - 5 • 2. The dates for administration of the AAA are April 14- May 2, 2014. • 3. AllTest Administrators/Teachers administering the AAA must have been trained on the information included in the “AAA Overview Podcast” located on the Student Assessment Webpage under “Links.” • Any Test Administrator who is new to administering the AAA must be trained by the LEA on the material provided by the ALSDE. • Additional training materials are available in the Student Assessment Webpage of the ALSDE Website under AAA Powerpoints and Information. • 4. AllTest Administrators/Teachers administering the AAA are required to participate in training on the administration of the assessment (i.e., labeling, packaging, etc.) that will be provided by the System Test Coordinator/ Building Test Coordinator prior to assembling of materials. • You may supplement your training by using the “AAA Assembling the Materials” podcast located on the Student Assessment Webpage under “Links.” • 5. Test Administrator’s must read and sign a Test Security Policy before administering the AAA.

18. Alert 6 Alabama Alternate Assessment – K-12 • The 2014 AAA will be administered in • reading (Grades 3-8 and 11); • mathematics (Grades 3-8 and 11); and • science (Grades 5, 7, and 11). • All tests are administered in English.

19. Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA) Participation Guidelines • A student’s participation in the Alabama Alternate Assessment is an IEP Team decision. • The AAA measures a student’s proficiency of state content standards (2006Alabama Extended Standards in reading, mathematics and 2007 science). Teachers must teach all extended standards in reading, mathematics, and science for the grade the student is enrolled in I-NOW. • The highest level of complexity the student could possibly be expected to achieve should be selected. Teachers will collect a Body of Evidence (BOE) representing the student’s proficiency of each extended standard for his/her grade level of enrollment. • All students with disabilities in Grades 3-8 receiving special education services must participate in the ACT Apsireor in the AAA. • For students participating in the AAA, evidence must be submitted to document achievement of the Alabama Extended Standards in reading(Grades 3-8), mathematics (Grades 3-8) and science (Grades 5 and 7) for their grade-level of enrollment. • All students with disabilities in Grade 11 receiving special education services must participate in the ACT Plus Writing or the AAA. • Evidence must be submitted to document achievement of the 11th grade Alabama Extended Standards in reading, mathematics, and science.

20. The AAA measures a student’s proficiency of state content standards (REVISED 2006 Alabama Extended Standards in reading, mathematics, and science). • The AAA measures a student’s proficiency of state content standards (REVISED 2006 Alabama Extended Standards in reading, mathematics and science). • Teachers MUST teach ALL extended standards in reading, mathematics, and science. • The highest level of complexity the student could possibly be expected to achieve should be selected. • Teachers will collect a Body of evidence (BOE) representing the student’s proficiency of each extended standard for his/her grade level of enrollment.

21. Alerts 7 - 10 Alabama Alternate Assessment • 7. All previous AAA materials (Spring 2013 and earlier, except the Revised 2011 TAMs) should have been returned to Lowry or destroyed according to the Local Education Agency (LEA) Test Security Plan. • 8. The 2014 AAA materials will be delivered to each LEA by Lowry beginning February 25-28, 2014.Reference the LEA Spring 2014 Alabama Alternate Assessment Materials Delivery Schedule on pages AAA-34-36. • 9. All 2014 AAA materials must be inventoried for accuracy when received. If any information is inaccurate, missing, or you need additional materials, you must contact Dr. Cathy McNeal at (256) 428 6966 or mary.mcneal@hsv-k12.org. • 10. Check to verify that the information on the Group Information Sheets (School Header Sheets) and Master List are accurate. If any information is inaccurate you must contact Dr. Cathy McNeal at (256) 428 6966 or mary.mcneal@hsv-k12.org.

22. Alerts 10 - 11 • 10. Test Administrators will use the Revised 2011 Test Administrator’s Manual. • 11. Each student will use one (1) answer document (Spring 2014 AAA Answer Document).

23. AAA Alerts 13 – 16 • 13. Each student must have two (2) labels: • one (1) Student Identification Bar Code Label for student identification for use on the answer document and • one (1) Master Student Box Label without a bar code for use on the student’s Body of Evidence Box. • 14. If a student transfers from one school to another within the system or transfers from one school system to another school system, the Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Label cannot be transferred with the student. • A Generic Student Identification Bar Code Label should be used and all demographic information on the answer document must be hand-gridded. • 15. The Special Codes Section on the answer document must be filled in completely for all students. • 16. The student’s name and SSID should be filled in on the provided spaces of each Generic Student Identification Bar Code Label.

24. AAA Alerts 17-19 • 17. Only original student work samples, tests, or worksheets may be sent in for scoring. • 18. Each piece of evidence must include the ALSDE Body of Evidence Entry Cover Sheet. • The Body of Evidence Entry Cover Sheet should be placed on top of the piece of evidence that it describes. • You must use ALSDE approved forms. • 19. Prepare one envelope for each extended standard in reading, mathematics, and science. • Group the envelopes by content and place in numerical order by standard within the Body of Evidence Box.

25. AAA Alerts 20-21 • 20. The AAA will be picked up May 5-8, 2014. Reference the LEA Spring 2014 Alabama Alternate Assessment Testing Pick Up Schedule on pages AAA-34-41. • 21. Superintendents will receive AAA test results by August 8, 2014.

26. May 2, 2014 Schedule for AAA Test Administration • The dates for administration of the AAA are • April 14 – May 2, 2014. • The test administration for the AAA at the time for Test Administrators are to select the evidence most representative of student performance for inclusion in the Body of Evidence. • The evidence may be dated any time during the school year (2013-14; however, • PACKAGING, LABELING, AND SHIPPING the BOE for scoring MUST occur within the administration window (April 14 – May 2, 2014).

27. Schedule for Test Administration • During the test administration of the AAA, Test Administrators must select the evidence most representative of student performance for inclusion in the Body of Evidence. • The evidence may be dated any time during the school year; however, packaging the BOE for scoring must occur within the administration window (April 14- May 2, 2014).

29. Directions for Storage and Destruction of Testing Materials • Prior to testing, all materials should be inventoried and stored in a secure central location in the LEA. After test administration, these guidelines should be followed: • All unused labels, answer documents, and TAMs should be returned to Lowry for destruction. • All unused BOE boxes and string-tied envelopes may be kept

30. Alert 10Signed Confidentiality Statement • Test Administrators MUST read and sign a Test Security Policy before administering the AAA. • Maintains evidence that personnel have signed the confidentiality Statement for the Administering and Report of Student Data on the Web site.

33. The AAA will be administered in Reading 3-8 and 11, Mathematics 3-8 and 11, and Science 5,7, and 11. ALL TESTS ARE ADMINISTERED IN ENGLISHEach AAA extended standard must have three (3) pieces of evidence to illustrate the student’s performance on that standard.

34. The AAA will be administered in Reading 3-8 and 11, Mathematics 3-8 and 11, and Science 5,7, and 11. ALL TESTS ARE ADMINISTERED IN ENGLISHEach AAA extended standard must have three (3) pieces of evidence to illustrate the student’s performance on that standard.

35. Deliver Date and Inventory of AAA assessment materials • All AAA materials MUST be inventoried when received for accuracy when received. • Check to verify that the information on the • group Information Sheets • (School Header Sheets) and • Master List are accurate. • If any information is inaccurate, missing, or you need additional materials you must call Dr. Cathy McNeal at 256 428 6966.

36. SPRING 2014 AAA ANSWER DOCUMENT • Each Student will use • ONE (1) answer document • (Spring 2014 AAA Answer Document).

37. Each student must have two (2) labels. One (1) Student Identification Bar Code Label for student identification for use on the answer document and One (1) Master Student Box Label without a bar code for use on the student’s Body of Evidence Box.

38. A Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Label must be attached to each answer document. Students whose IEP in STISETS as of Dec. 1, 2012, identifies the student as taking the AAA will be provided Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Label. Students without a Pre-Coded Identification Bar Code Label will use a Generic Student Identification Bar Code Label.

39. Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Labels contain student and school specific information. . Please ensure that the correct label is placed for each student on the answer document. The use of a Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Label will eliminate the need to hand-grid the demographic information. DO NOT use any data that does not MATCH I-Now.

40. For students without a Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Label, a Generic Student Identification Bar Code Label MUST be placed on the Spring 2014 AAA Answer Document and the demographic information on the must be hand-gridded including the name, state student ID number (SSID), grade, gender, data of birth, and ethnic group found on the font page of the answer document.

41. SPRING 2014 AAA Pre-Coded Bar Codes DO NOT Transfer • If a student transfers from one school to another within the system or transfers from one school system to another school system, the Pre-Coded Student Identification Bar Code Label CANNOT be transferred with the student. • A Generic Student Identification Bar Code Label should be used an all demographic information on the answer document MUST be hand-gridded.

42. Hand Gridded Answer Document Fill in the front page only. The other pages are for scorer use only.

45. Student Worksheets or Teacher Tests • Original student’s work should be sent for the AAA scoring. • Teachers should indicate accuracy of student answers. • Each worksheet/test must contain at least ten (10) items. • (Worksheets may be combined to total at least ten (10) items. These combined worksheets will be considered one piece of evidence.)

46. Body of Evidence • Ever piece of evidence MUST have the SDE Body of Evidence Entry Cover Sheet. • The Body of Evidence Entry Cover Sheet SHOULD be placed on top of the piece of evidence that it describes. • You must use SDE approved forms. • The Body of Evidence includes a variety of products that illustrate student achievement on each Alabama Extended Standard for the grade level of enrollment.

48. AAA Body of Evidence One Envelope for EACH Extended Standard • Prepare ONE envelope for each extended standard inREADING MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE. • Group the envelopes by content and place in numerical order by standard within the Body of Evidence Box.

49. Submitting the Body of Evidence • The body of evidence will be sent to a third party for evaluation. • The evidence alone will determine the scores on the AAA. • Teachers will not have an opportunity to explain or clarify evidence once it is submitted.