Arkansas

When are students tested? 1
4th grade
5th grade
7th grade
10th grade
11th grade

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
Student diagnosis
Identification of students at risk
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Professional development
Program evaluation
School performance reporting

What tests are used? 1
Criterion-referenced test (grades 4, 8, 11/12)
Stanford Achievement Test, 9th Edition
(grades 5, 7, 10)
Developing end-of-level testing

Are students with disabilities exempt? 2, 3
All students with disabilities should participate in the assessment.
Students with disabilities for whom it is deemed inappropriate by their IEP team to take the standard test assessments shall participate in alternate assessments. A task force will be established to advise the state in developing the alternate assessments.

What accommodations are available so that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of accommodations approved by state Department of Education.

How are scores of students with disabilities reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports separate ("disaggregate") scores of students with disabilities from scores of students without disabilities.
 
 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.


 
Arkansas Department of Education
Department of Special Education
Education Building C
Four State Capitol Mall #105-C
Little Rock, AR 72201-1071
501-682-4221
501-682-5159 Fax
arkedu.state.ar.us/
Contact: Diane Sydoriak, Associate Director of Special Education
dsydoriak@arkedu.k12.ar.us
Note: There is currently no State Assessment Director.

Arkansas Parent Centers on Disability
FOCUS, Inc.
305 West Jefferson Ave.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-935-2750
870-931-3755 Fax
focusinc@intellinet.com
Contact: Elizabeth Stafford

Arkansas Disability Coalition
2801 Lee Ave., Suite B
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-614-7020 Voice & TDD
1-800-223-1330 in AR
501-614-9082 Fax
adc@cei.net
Contact: Wanda Stovall

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