When are students tested? 1
3rd through 12th grades
What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Computer Skills
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 promotion (local decision)
Student awards or recognition (local decision)
Identification of students at risk
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Professional development
Program evaluation
What tests are used? 1
End-of-grade tests (grades 3 - 8)
Writing assessment (grades 4, 7, 10)
Norm-referenced testing (grades 5, 8; sampled)
Open-ended assessment (grades 5, 8) (will change to grades 4, 8 in
1998/99)
Computer Skills Proficiency (grade 8)
Reading and Mathematics competency testing (screen in grade 8;
must pass for diploma by grade 12)
End-of-course tests in Algebra, Biology, English, ELP, and U.S. History
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
Exemptions may be given to students in special education, as determined
by IEP team.
Alternative assessments may be available, but do not satisfy diploma
requirement.
Exemptions may be given to students who are not following standard
course of study.
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of accommodations approved by state Department of Public Instruction
and state Board of Education.
Other accommodations available with required documentation on the IEP,
on a case-by-case basis.
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports combine ("aggregate") scores
of students with and without disabilities.
More recent reports provide performance results combined ("aggregated")
and by specific disability category ("disaggregated") at the state level.
No results of alternate assessments are made currently for students
exempted from state tests.
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.
State Department of Public Instruction
Exceptional Children Division
301 North Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2825
919-715-1565
919-715-1569 Fax
www.dpi.state.nc.us
Contact: Lowell Harris, Director
lharris@smtp.dpi.state.nc.us
Louis Fabrizio, Director of Accountability
North Carolina Parent Center on Disability
ECAC, Inc.
P.O. Box 16
Davidson, NC 28036
704-892-1321
1-800-962-6817 in NC
704-892-5028 Fax (Call first to dedicate line)
ECAC1@aol.com
Contact: Connie Hawkins/Mary LaCorte