When are students tested? 1
Annually, 3rd through 12th grades
What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Short written response
Extended written response
How are test results used? 1
High school graduation (exit requirement)
Student diagnosis
Identification of students at risk
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Professional development
Program evaluation
School performance reporting
Warnings to schools
Schools placed on probation or watch lists
School takeovers
What tests are used? 1
Alabama Early Learning Inventory (kindergarten) (pilot for Fall 1998)
Alabama Diagnostic Reading Assessment (grades 1, 2) (pilot for Fall
1998)
Stanford Achievement Test (grades 3 - 11)
Writing assessment (grades 5, 7)
Geometry end-of-course test (grade 7 - 12) (last
year of administration; phasing out with new
graduation exam)
Basic Competency Test (grade 9) (current checkpoint for Exit Exam)
Exit Exam (grades 11, 12) (developing new exam with higher standards)
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
For Stanford Achievement Test - Exemptions given to students who cannot
adhere to standardized procedures, as determined by IEP team.
For Basic Competency Test and High School Exam - Exemptions given to
students who are not pursuing a high school diploma, as determined by IEP
team.
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of accommodations approved by state Department of Education.
Other accommodations available with state approval, as recommended
by IEP team.
Accommodations must be consistent with instructional practice.
Accommodations used in classroom assessments.
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
Exit Exam - School, district, and statewide reports separate ("disaggregate")
scores of students receiving special education services from scores of
the other students.
Other assessments - School, district, and statewide reports combine
("aggregate") scores of students receiving accommodations with scores of
the other students.
Footnotes:
1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.
2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.
3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all
students be included in statewide assessments.
Alabama Parent Center on Disability
Special Education Action Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 161274
3207 International Drive, Suite C
Mobile, AL 36616-2274
334-478-1208 Voice & TDD
1-800-222-7322 in AL
334-473-7877 Fax
seacmob1@juno.com
www.hsv.tis.net/rcja/
Contact: Carol Blades