Delaware

When are students tested? 1
3rd grade
5th grade
8th grade
10th grade
Projected to be added in 1998: 4th, 6th, and 11th grades

What subjects are tested? 1
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Projected to be added in 1998: Science and 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
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation

What tests are used? 1
Delaware Student Testing Program
Reading, Writing, Mathematics (grades 3, 5, 8, 10)
Science and Social Studies (grades 4, 6, 8, and 11, projected for 1998)
 
Are students with disabilities exempt? 2, 3
Exemptions given to students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities, as determined by the IEP team, using specific required criteria (i.e., cognitive ability and adaptive behavior prevent complete course of study for diploma program, not due to absences, and not primarily the result of learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, visual or auditory disabilities, or social, cultural, and economic differences).
Students who are exempt from writing assessments are assessed by alternative means.
Note: The policy is currently being revised to ensure inclusion where possible.

What accommodations are available so that students with disabilities can participate? 2
Accommodations and/or assistive devices included in student’s IEP or 504 plan, and used in instructional program.
Accommodations for the assessment cannot be introduced for the first time in an assessment situation.

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.


Department of Education
Exceptional Children and Early Childhood Group
P.O. Box 1402, Townsend Building
Dover, DE 19903-1402
302-739-5471
302-739-2388 Fax
www.doe.state.de.us
E-mail addresses are available on web page.
Contact: Martha Brooks, Director, Exceptional Children and Early Childhood Group
mbrooks@state.de.us
John Tanner, State Assessment Directory
302-739-2771, Fax: 302-739-3092

Delaware Parent Center on Disability
Parent Information Center (PIC)
700 Barksdale Road, Suite 3
Newark, DE 19711
302-366-0152 Voice
302-366-0178 TDD
302-366-0276 Fax
PEP700@aol.com
Contact: Marie-Anne Aghazadian
 
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