When are students tested? 1
3rd grade
4th grade
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade
10th grade
11th grade
What subjects are tested? 1
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Extended written response
Plans to eventually add short written response.
How are test results used? 1
Improvement of instruction
School accreditation
School exemptions from regulations
School performance reporting
Warnings to schools
Schools placed on probation or watch lists
School monetary assistance
Plans to add graduation endorsement at grade 12 in future.
What tests are used? 1
Illinois Goal Assessment Program
Mathematics, Reading, Writing (grades 3, 6, 8, 10)
Science, Social Studies (grades 4, 7, 11)
Plans to change subject areas and grades assessed: to move grade
6 to grade 5; to administer Prairie State Achievement Exam for year
2000.
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
Exemptions given to students whose IEP teams determine that tests are
not appropriate.
Alternative assessments may be required for those exempt.
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
Accommodations included in IEP for classroom or local assessment, as
long as accommodations are fair and do not compromise the purposes and
security of the tests.
Accommodations determined locally.
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
Districts / schools choose whether to include scores of students with
disabilities in the school and district averages.
School, district, and statewide reports do not separate ("disaggregate")
scores of students with disabilities from scores of students without disabilities.
(Reporting of scores of student with disabilities may change in light of
new IDEA requirements.)
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.
Illinois State Board of Education
Center for Educational Innovation and Reform
100 North First Street, N-243
Springfield, IL 62777
217-782-3371
217-524-6125 Fax
www.isbe.state.il.us
Contact: Jack E. Shook, Division Administrator for Accountability and
Quality Assurance (program compliance for special education)
217-782-5589
Rhonda Manalia
rmanalia.spr5.state.il.us
Eunice Greer, State Assessment Director
217-782-4823
Illinois Parent Centers on Disability
Designs for Change
6 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60602
312-857-9292 Voice
312-857-1013 TDD
1-800-851-8728
312-857-9299 Fax
dfc1@aol.com
Contact: Donald Moore/Ann Robinson
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
20 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 900
Chicago, IL 60604
312-939-3513 Voice
312-939-3519 TTY & TDD
1-800-952-4199 in IL
312-939-7297 Fax
Contact: Charlotte Des Jardins
National Center for Latinos with Disabilities
1921 South Blue Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
312-666-3393 Voice
312-666-1788 TTY
1-800-532-3393
312-666-1787 Fax
ncld@interaccess.com
Contact: Maria Elena Rodriguez-Sullivan
Family T.I.E.S. Network
830 South Spring
Springfield, IL 62704
217-544-5809
1-800-865-7842
217-544-6018 Fax
ftiesn@aol.com
Contact: Deb Kunz