New Mexico

When are students tested?1
1st grade
2nd grade
4th grade
6th grade
8th grade
10th grade
11th grade
12th 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
Sample work and projects (determined locally)

How are test results used? 1
High school graduation (exit requirement)
High school skills guarantee
Student diagnosis
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation
School performance reporting
Assessment of student progress towards state content standards
 
What tests are used? 1
Reading Assessment for Grades 1 and 2
 New Mexico Achieving Assessment (grades 4, 6, 8)
Writing assessment (grades 4, 6, 8)
New Mexico High School Competency Exam (grades 10 - 12)

Are students with disabilities exempt? 2, 3 
Exemptions given as determined by IEP team. (Evidence must be available at district level).
Exempt students must be assessed with alternative methods.

What accommodations are available so that students with disabilities can participate? 2
Accommodations available as recommended by IEP team, provided the modifications do not change the meaning of the test score.
Accommodations require approval from 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 taking modified (non-standardized) assessments.
Student’s transcript will note any given modifications.
 
 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.



 
New Mexico State Department of Education
Special Education Office
300 Don Gaspar Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-827-6541
505-827-6791 Fax
www.sde.state.nm.us
Contact: Dr. Robert Pasternack, Director of Special Education
rpasternack@sde.state.nm.us
Patricia Rael, State Assessment Director:
505-827-6524, Fax: 505-827-6626

New Mexico Parent Center on Disability
EPICS Project
P.O. Box 788
Bernalillo, NM 87004
505-867-3396
1-800-765-7320 Voice & TDD
505-867-3398 Fax
epics@highfiver.com
Contact: Martha J. Gorospe
Please note: EPICS serves parents of Native American children nationwide.
 

Parents Reaching Out, Project ADOBE
1000-A Main St. NW
Los Lunas, NM 87031
505-865-3700 Voice & TDD
1-800-524-5176 in NM
505-865-3737 Fax
Contact: Sallie VanCuren
Sallievc@aol.com
 
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