Uneven Transparency: NCLB Tests Take Precedence in Public Assessment Reporting for Students with Disabilities

NCEO Technical Report 43

Published by the National Center on Educational Outcomes

Prepared by:

Jean A. Klein • Hilda Ives Wiley • Martha L. Thurlow

March 2006

Any or all portions of this document may be reproduced and distributed without prior permission, provided the source is cited as:

Klein, J. A., Wiley, H. I., & Thurlow, M. L. (2006). Uneven transparency: NCLB tests take precedence in public assessment reporting for students with disabilities (Technical Report 43). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes. Retrieved [today's date], from the World Wide Web: http://education.umn.edu/NCEO/OnlinePubs/Technical43.html

Executive Summary

This report marks the eighth analysis conducted by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) of the public reporting of state assessment results for students with disabilities. This is the third analysis that NCEO has conducted since the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Overall, a total of 48 states reported some state-level information about students with disabilities on their state assessments: 35 reported participation and performance for all their general assessments, 11 reported participation and performance data for some of these, 2 reported only performance information, and 2 did not report information. When considering only tests that were part of NCLB accountability systems, more states reported all information publicly: 44 states reported participation and performance information for all these assessments, 2 reported participation and performance information for some of these assessments, 2 reported only performance information for all these assessments, and 2 did not report information.

For alternate assessments, only 36 states reported any information. Thirty-three states reported both participation and performance data for their alternate assessments. One state reported only performance data and two reported only participation data for their alternate assessments. Fourteen states did not report participation or performance information about their alternate assessments.

For states’ general assessments, 34 states reported either the percent of students tested or not tested for at least one of their assessments (53 assessments total). The number of students tested continues to be the most common way of reporting participation (79 assessments). The number or percent of students who were exempt or excluded from assessments was given for 13 tests and the number or percent of students absent was given for 19 tests. For states’ alternate assessments, the most common way of reporting participation information was to give the number of students tested; this was the approach of 32 states. Twenty states gave a rate of either a percent tested or percent not tested.

When we examined the performance of students, we found that for the general assessment large gaps existed between students with disabilities and all students. Though some gaps were significantly larger than others, the gaps were noticeable for all states that provided performance data. Gaps tended to be larger at higher grades. In a few instances, a larger percentage of students with disabilities achieved proficiency compared to all students. In later reports, this should be followed to see whether this is a trend for students with disabilities. In examining six years of data from states that had publicly reported information using the same test (11 states), we found that, in general, it appeared that a higher percentage of students with disabilities achieved proficiency in later years for both reading and math. When examining publicly reported information for all students over the past three years, a similar trend was found. The gap between the percentage of all students who achieve proficiency and students with disabilities appears to continue to be quite large.

Overall, this report reinforces what was found for the 2002–2003 school year data. States are improving their public reporting practices, but the improvement is gradual. These improvements include more states reporting test information for accountability tests and an increase in information provided on alternate assessments. However, there are still improvements that need to be made. This report discusses the results of the study and provides recommendations for how states can continue to improve their public reporting practices.

Overview

It has been more than a decade since researchers first realized the importance of including all students in statewide tests (McGrew, Thurlow, Shriner, & Spiegel, 1992; Zlatos, 1994). Since that time, much has changed with regard to accountability at the state, district, and school levels. Where schools once were required to base progress of students with disabilities only on individualized goals and accountability focused on school compliance with federal procedures, accountability now is driven by student performance on statewide tests (McLaughlin & Thurlow, 2003). Public reporting of state assessment participation and performance information has been tracked by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) since 1997.

At the same time that researchers were recognizing that students with disabilities needed to be included in statewide assessments, legislation to require public reporting was moving in this direction as well. In 1994, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) required that students with disabilities be considered part of “all students” and thus be included in statewide tests and then measured against state standards. In 1997, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) first required that states ensure that all students with disabilities participate in all state and district assessments. In 2001, ESEA was reauthorized as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which proposed specific guidelines for the participation of students and subgroups in statewide tests and also required states to publicly report student participation and performance for accountability (Fast, Blank, Potts, & Williams, 2002). The purpose of this was to ensure that all students achieve proficiency by 2013–2014. This was followed most recently by the reauthorization of IDEA (2004) as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. It required that states ensure that all students with disabilities “are included in all general State and districtwide assessment programs, including assessments described in section 1111 of the ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 6311, with appropriate accommodations and alternate assessments, if necessary, and as indicated in their respective IEPs.” As in IDEA 1997, IDEA 2004 requires that:

The State educational agency (or, in the case of a districtwide assessment, the Local educational agency) makes available to the public, and reports to the public with the same frequency and in the same detail as it reports on the assessment of nondisabled children, the following:

(i) The number of children with disabilities participating in regular assessments, and the number of those children who were provided accommodations in order to participate in those assessments.

(ii) The number of children with disabilities participating in alternate assessments described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(I).

(iii) The number of children with disabilities participating in alternate assessments described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(II). (Section 612(a)(16)(D))

Since NCLB was passed, there has been an increase in the number and type of reports that states provide to the public. When comparing the 2000–2001 school year to 2001–2002 school year, the number of states that publicly reported participation and performance data increased from 28 to 35 (Thurlow & Wiley, 2004; Thurlow, Wiley, & Bielinski, 2003). In 2002–2003, this number further increased to 36 states (Wiley, Thurlow, & Klein, 2005). The number of states that reported participation and performance information for their alternate assessment has also shown increases. More specifically, 22 states reported this information in 2001–2002 while 29 reported it in 2002–2003 (Thurlow & Wiley, 2004; Wiley et al., 2005).

Some writers have suggested that most states are able to demonstrate performance improvements in all subgroups, except for students who are learning English and students with disabilities (Schwartzbeck, 2003). Because of this perception, as well as the NCLB requirement, it is crucial that we continue to follow the methods of publicly reporting information on students with disabilities.

The 2003–2004 school year is the second year that states are required to report on the performance of students with disabilities on their state math and reading assessments based on state standards. This report marks the eighth in a line of NCEO reports that document state public reporting policies. In addition, this report is the first to include the unique states (i.e., American Samoa, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Commonwealth of Marianna Islands, District of Columbia, Guam, Palau, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Virgin Islands). Additionally, the 2003–2004 school year may be when some states have had time to revise their tests and accountability systems to be more in line with the tenets of NCLB. This report will seek to illuminate these changes as well as discuss the common ways in which states are reporting these results to the public.

Method

We began our search for information by reviewing every state’s Department of Education Web site as well as the Web sites for the 10 unique states (i.e., American Samoa, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Commonwealth of Marianna Islands, District of Columbia, Guam, Palau, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Virgin Islands). We began collecting data in September 2004 and collected information for the 2003–2004 school year. We recorded the names of the assessments that were administered and documented whether participation and performance information was reported for students with disabilities. We also examined the way in which participation was reported and whether participation and performance information were reported for students who took the test with accommodations. By September 2004, a large percentage of the states had already posted their 2003–2004 assessment data online in a way that made the data easy to locate and understand.

On February 4, 2005, we mailed a letter to each state director of assessment outlining our findings from the state’s Web site (Appendix A). We asked them to review our findings, correct any misinformation, and provide the public document or Web site where the correct information was available. We asked that they send us these changes by February 28, 2005. Many states directed us to a Web page that we had not found in our search. While a few sent paper copies of information, we were able to find this information on state Web sites as well. Several states gave us dates by which they expected their disaggregated assessment results to be posted. Overall, we received responses from 42 directors of assessment.

To ensure that our findings were as accurate as possible, we followed up these efforts with a letter to each state’s director of special education (Appendix B). These letters were mailed on May 12, 2005. The letters asked the directors to review our findings and make any changes by June 9, 2005. For states that had already provided a response from the director of assessment, we noted that in the letter by stating that “these results were verified by your state’s director of assessment, but if you have anything to add, please let us know.” For states whose director of assessment did not respond, we sent the same letter to the director of special education as we had sent to the director of assessment. In a few cases where we had been able to verify some of the information sent to us by the director of assessment, we sent a personalized letter documenting what information we still needed. These letters were sent out to the directors of special education on June 2, 2005, and changes were due back by June 17, 2005. Of the 50 states and 10 unique states to which we sent letters, 27 responded with either corrections or to verify that the information that we had was correct.

Finally, there were still four states for which we had not heard back from either the director of assessment or the director of special education. For three of these states we had found information on students with disabilities for all their regular and alternate assessments. For the other state, results were reported annually at the district level, but not the state level.

It should be noted that in three cases, personnel indicated that information was publicly available on request. When this occurred, we attempted to obtain this information. In cases where substantial effort was extended to obtain participation or performance data, but we could not obtain the document, the information was not considered publicly reported.
 

Characteristics of State Assessment Systems

Appendix C lists all the state mandated general assessments that we identified for the 50 states and the 10 unique states. This list includes the state, the name of the test, the grades and content areas tested, and whether the state had publicly available disaggregated participation and performance data for students with disabilities for their 2003–2004 state assessments. For the 50 states, we identified 112 separate statewide tests. Thirty–five states had more than one general assessment. For the unique states, six separate assessment systems were found and no state gave more than one assessment.

Because very little information was available from the unique states, the following results include only information from the 50 states. Figure 1 breaks down the 112 testing systems by type: norm-referenced tests (NRT), criterion-referenced tests (CRT), exit tests used as a gate for graduation or earning a particular type of diploma (EXIT), and tests that combined standardized NRTs with additional state-developed test items (NRT/CRT). While we recognized that many exit exams may also be NRTs, CRTs, or both, the high stakes consequences for students of these exit exams indicated a need to create a separate category for these tests.


Figure 1. Types of General Assessments (n=112)



Criterion-referenced tests (CRTs) comprised 61% of all the assessments that states administered in 2003–2004. In fact, only eight states (Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota) did not administer a separate CRT, though six of those states administered a test with both CRT and NRT components (only Iowa and Montana administered only an NRT). Norm-referenced tests comprised 16% of the tests and exit exams also comprised 16% of tests administered. These numbers are similar to the 2002–2003 assessment pattern, in which 58% of tests were CRTs, 18% were NRTs, and 18% were exit exams (Wiley et al., 2005).
 

States Reporting Disaggregated 2003–2004 General Assessment Data for Students with Disabilities

Figure 2 summarizes the different ways in which general assessment data were reported in all 50 states. Overall, 70% percent of states reported disaggregated participation and performance information on students with disabilities for all their assessments, 4% percent reported performance for all assessments but not participation data, 22% percent reported participation and performance information for some assessments, and 4% percent did not report any disaggregated information.


Figure 2. States that Disaggregate Assessment Results for Students with Disabilities



Figure 3 indicates which of the 50 states reported their data in each of the four ways shown in Figure 2. States that reported disaggregated data for students with disabilities at the state level generally reported results at the district and school level, too.

Figure 3. States that Reported 2003-2004 Disaggregated Results for Students with Disabilities

Figure 4 shows the states that reported participation and performance data for the tests that they include in their statewide accountability systems. Only a subset of assessments in many states are part of their No Child Left Behind accountability system. When we examined just the NCLB assessments, we found that 44 states reported participation and performance for students with disabilities on all of these assessments. Although this is more than the number of states reporting information on all the assessments given in a state, it is still not all of them. As evident in Figure 4, the states that do disaggregate for all accountability assessments are spread across the U.S. and have both small and large populations. The states that reported disaggregated 2003–2004 data for their general assessments did so regardless of whether they had just one assessment or multiple assessments (i.e., 25 of the 45 had more than one assessment included in their accountability system), and regardless of whether they tested in just a few grades or in as many as 10 grades.

Figure 4. States that Reported 2003–2004 Disaggregated Results for Students with Disabilities in their NCLB Accountability Systems

Of the two states that reported participation and performance information for some of their accountability assessments, Oklahoma was only missing data on one test. Furthermore, Florida indicated that all of its data were available on request. For those states that only reported performance results, Pennsylvania reported participation at the district and school level. Of those that did not report disaggregated information at the state level, Oregon reported disaggregated information at the district level.
 

Unique States Reporting Information on their General Assessments

As noted earlier, this report is the first to include unique states in the analysis of publicly reported information for students with disabilities. Because many of the unique states did not have information that was found to be publicly reported, we will only briefly mention them here. Table 1 contains a summary of the unique states and whether they reported participation or performance information on students with disabilities. Of the ten unique states, only two states publicly reported disaggregated information on the participation and performance of students with disabilities on statewide assessments: the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the District of Columbia. It is noteworthy that students who are part of the BIA live throughout the United States and do not take the same assessment. Rather, these students participate in the assessment systems of the state in which they live.

Almost all of the unique states administer a Norm-Referenced Test. The only unique state to administer a Criterion-Referenced Test is Palau. In looking at the reporting practices of the District of Columbia and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, both report the number of students with disabilities who participate in statewide assessments. BIA also reports the percentage of students tested.


Table 1: Unique States that Report Disaggregated Participation and Performance Data for Students with Disabilities

State

Disaggregated Special Education Data

Participation

Performance

American Samoa

No

No

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Yes

Yes

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

No

No

District of Columbia

Yes

Yes

Federated States of Micronesia

No

No

Guam

No

No

Palau

No

No

Puerto Rico

No

No

Republic of the Marshall Islands

No

No

Virgin Islands

No

No

 


States Reporting 2003–2004 Alternate Assessment Data for Students with Disabilities

As shown in Figure 5, results from our Web searches and mailings revealed that 33 regular states publicly reported both participation and performance results at the state-level for their alternate assessment. An additional two states reported participation only, and one state reported only performance information. Fourteen states (i.e., 28% of all states) did not report any type of information about their alternate assessment. However, 66% of states did report both participation and performance for their alternate assessment, which is an increase over 58% in the 2002–2003 school year.



Figure 5. Information States Reported for their Alternate Assessments

Figure 6 illustrates which states reported alternate assessment participation and performance data. There is no obvious geographic pattern to the states that did not report alternate assessment data.

Figure 6. States Publicly Reporting State-Level Data for the 2003–2004 Alternate Assessment


 

Assessment Participation in 2003–2004

General Assessment Participation Results

The way in which participation data for students with disabilities was reported varied among the states shown to provide it (Appendix D). Figure 7 illustrates the number of assessments with disaggregated participation data and how those participation data were reported. Information is presented in terms of the number of assessments for which participation data were available, not in terms of the number of states. For example, in Alabama there are four assessments and each is counted separately. We used this approach because not all states report participation in the same way across assessments. For example, one state might report only a count of students tested for one assessment, but for another assessment it might report a count tested, a percent tested, and a percent not tested.

Figure 7. Participation Reporting Approaches for General Assessments (Number of Tests = 89)

Reporting a percentage of students tested is more informative than just reporting the number of students tested, although there are good reasons to report both the number and the percentage. Thirty-four states (53 assessments total) reported either the percent of students tested or the percent not tested for at least one of their assessments, which is an increase from the 27 that reported rates in 2002–2003. For 49 assessments, the percent of students tested was given, and for 30 assessments, the percent of students not tested was given (though these numbers are not mutually exclusive). Seventy-nine assessments provided the number of students tested, making this the most frequent way of reporting participation data. The number or percent of students who were exempt or excluded from assessments was given for 13 tests and the number or percent of students absent was given for 19 tests.

Figure 8 illustrates the participation rates reported in those states for which there was clear participation rate information reported. Though the percentage of students tested or not tested was given for 53 assessments, those assessments came from only 34 states. While it may have been possible to calculate participation rates for other states as well, using information that was reported about student enrollment and the number of students tested, we did not take the extra step to do the math calculations. This is because we were concerned about the information that was readily available. However, if the state did provide only the percentage of students not tested, we did report the percentage of students tested in the table. It is important that states report the percentage of students tested, in addition to just a count, because this presents a more accurate picture of how many students are participating. These rates should ideally be based on the school enrollment on the day of testing (Ysseldyke, Thurlow, Langenfeld, Nelson, Teelucksingh, & Seyfarth, 1998). Using the December 1st Child Count data is also an acceptable option if test day enrollment is not available.

Figure 8. Percentages of Students with Disabilities Participating in Middle School General Assessments in Those States with Clear Participation Reporting of Rates

To summarize participation rate information, we selected one grade to portray in Figure 8. In most states, participation in the middle school/junior high school math test was used. If the state tested in more than one grade in the middle school level, the 8th grade test data were used. Appendix E contains information about the tests and exact grades used for Figure 8. Percentages in the figure are rounded to the nearest whole number. Not all states provided data broken down in this way. In nine states (i.e., Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia and Wisconsin), the data were given for the math test but the grade levels were all aggregated. In California, a rate was provided but it was number of students with disabilities tested out of all students rather than a percent of students with disabilities who were tested. In Idaho, a percent of participation was given for the elementary reading assessment that was not included in this analysis. It is important to note that results in Figure 8 were obtained from different types of tests that were being used in these states. Nevertheless, during this 2003–2004 academic year, participation rates ranged from 78% to 100% and 16 out of the 21 states had participation rates of 95% or higher.
 

Alternate Assessment Participation Results

Figure 9 illustrates how states reported participation for their alternate assessment. Much greater participation information was provided this year (2003–2004) compared to the previous testing year. Appendix F outlines in more detail all the ways that information is reported. Thirty-five states provided participation information for their alternate assessments. All states provided information on just one alternate assessment except for North Carolina which provided information on two alternate assessments. For Figure 9, North Carolina is reflected as one state and all of the ways that participation data were reported in the two alternates were counted.

Similar to reporting for the regular assessment, the most common way of reporting participation information for the alternate assessment was to give the number of students tested. This was done by 32 states; 20 states gave a rate, which was either the percent of students tested, not tested, or both. Four states provided the number or percent of students who were exempt or excluded, and five states provided either the number or percent of students who were absent.

Figure 9. Participation Reporting Approaches for Alternate Assessments (Number of States = 32)

Twenty states provided a rate of either the percent of students tested or the percent not assessed in their alternate assessments. These rates are shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12. Appendix G provides more details about the grades and content areas included in the figures. When possible, we tried to use rates from 8th grade math. We divided this information into three figures because there were three different ways in which participation data were presented by states. Six states gave the percent of students assessed out of the total number who were eligible/recommended to take the alternate assessment (Figure 10). North Carolina administered two alternate assessments (NC-1 indicates the AAAI and NC-2 indicates the Portfolio Assessment), and both of these are shown in Figure 10.

Eight states provided information on the percent of students assessed on the alternate assessment out of all the students enrolled (see Figure 11). Finally, five states provided information about the number of students who participated in the alternate assessment out of all students with disabilities (see Figure 12). Three states (Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin) included alternate assessment participation with other general assessments. Because these percentages also reflect the participation of students with disabilities in the general assessments, they are not included here.

Figure 10. Percentages of Students with Disabilities Assessed with the Alternate Assessment Out of the Total Number of Students Recommended/Eligible for the Alternate Assessment

Figure 11. Percentages of Students with Disabilities Assessed with the Alternate Assessment Out of the Total Number of Enrolled Students

Figure 12. Percentages of Students with Disabilities Assessed with the Alternate Assessment Out of the Total Number of Students with Disabilities

Other Information Collected for 2003–2004

In our analysis of state reporting for 2003–2004, we looked at additional characteristics of states’ publicly reported information. Specifically, we looked at information available on accommodations used, and if available, performance when accommodations were used. We also examined the quality of Web-based reporting.
 

Accommodations

Sixteen states provided state-level information about students who took an assessment with an accommodation. In some cases, states reported on standard accommodations (those considered to not change the constructs measured by the assessment), in other cases they reported on nonstandard accommodations (which generally were considered to change the constructs measured—and might be referred to as “non-allowed”—although IEP teams could select them), and in other cases they reported on both or did not specify which.

Table 2 describes the information the 16 states provided. Appendix H contains additional information about the data provided by these states, with details about the participation and performance of students in each category that the state provided. New Mexico indicated that accommodation results are available on request. Four states reported student participation and performance by specific accommodation (e.g., directions read orally, braille, extended time), whereas twelve states provided only overall information on students who, in general, used accommodations.
 

Table 2. States that Reported State-Level Information about Accommodations for Reading or Math

 State

Standard/Non-standard Accommodation

 Participation

 Performance

 For whom

Arizona

Standard and Non-Standard

Yes

No

SWD

Colorado*

Standard 

Yes

Yes

ALL

Non-Standard

Yes

No

ALL

Iowa

Non-Standard

Yes

No

SWD

Indiana

Standard

Yes

Yes

SWD & ALL

Kansas

Not specified

Yes

No

SWD & ALL

Kentucky

Standard

Yes

Yes

SWD

Louisiana*

Standard

Yes

Yes

ALL

Maine

Not Specified

Yes

No

SWD

Michigan

Standard & Non-Standard

Yes

Yes

ALL

Missouri*

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

SWD

Nebraska

Not specified

Yes

No

SWD & ALL

North Carolina*

Standard & Non-Standard

Yes

Yes

ALL

Ohio

Standard

Yes

Yes

SWD & ALL

Oklahoma

Non-Standard

Yes

No

SWD

Rhode Island

Non-Standard

Yes

No

SWD

Wyoming

Standard & Non-Standard

Yes

No

SWD

Note: SWD= Students with Disabilities
* Report by specific accommodation.
** For New Mexico, information can be requested.


Quality Analysis of Web-based Reporting

As we analyzed the participation and performance reporting on states’ Department of Education Web sites, it became evident that some states presented data in a much more accessible format than others. Because assessment data are reported on the Web in most states, it is crucial that these data be clear and easy to access. We examined the quality of the states’ reporting on their Web sites. It is important to note, however, that because Web sites are frequently updated, it is possible that some of our findings no longer hold true.

Several states (e.g., California, Connecticut, Washington, and Wisconsin) used drop down menus that allowed an individual to select the test, year, grade, and status of students of interest. The Web site then displayed a chart of the data scores in question. In some cases, these charts were relatively easy to understand and provided a way of assessing how the test was scored and what percentage of students attained satisfactory scores. Other states provided the percentage of students attaining a given score, but it was not clear which set of scores constituted satisfactory completion of the test (e.g., New York for the Regents Competency Test). Several states had written summaries of their state’s test results (e.g., Colorado, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Oklahoma). Others had PowerPoint slides that contained some of the participation and performance information (e.g., Oklahoma). In several cases, states directed us to the state’s Annual Performance Report (APR). This report provides information on a variety of aspects of how states serve students with disabilities, including some of the information addressed in this report (e.g., participation and performance of students on general and alternate assessments, the use of accommodations).

Assessment Performance in 2003–2004

General Assessment Performance Results

We examined the performance of all students, and then the performance of students with disabilities. When examining performance across states, it is important to remember that state tests are different, both in terms of content and proficiency levels. The tests may emphasize different standards and are likely to differ in difficulty. In addition, there may be variability across states in the percentages of students with disabilities whose scores are reported. Thus, it is not appropriate to compare performance across states. It is possible, however, to examine the performance differences within each state between all students and students with disabilities.

Performance results are reported for both reading and math assessments because these content domains are the ones assessed by most states and are the content areas required first by NCLB to be assessed, reported, and included in accountability. For greater comparability in what we report, and because states are now moving away from norm-referenced tests toward wider use of criterion-referenced tests, we only report performance on CRTs. We also report performance on exit exams that students are required to pass to graduate from high school with a standard diploma.

We separated grade levels into three categories: elementary (3–5), middle school (6–8), and high school (9–12). For our summary, we chose to present only one grade for each level. When available, 4th grade was used to represent the elementary level, 8th grade to represent the middle school level, and 10th grade to represent the high school level. These grades were chosen because they are the grades at which the greatest number of states test students. If data from those grades were not available, the grade below was used, followed by the remaining grade if no other data were available. The number in the parenthesis next to the state’s name indicates the grade from which the data were obtained. Appendix I reports the name of the test we used and the grade.

Although most states reported the performance of all students and then the performance of subgroups, such as students with disabilities, some states did not report the performance of all students. When these data were not available, the performance of general education students was given. Because the performance of general education students as a group may be slightly higher than the performance of all students as a group, we have indicated those states with “all students” actually based only on general education students by an asterisk after the name of the state.

It should further be noted that one state (Vermont) only provided subtest scores on its assessments. In this case, subtest scores for reading skills and math basic understanding are reported. States were dropped if they only reported aggregated scores across grades. Thus, Rhode Island is not reflected in any of the figures because it provided only aggregated data across grades for its students with disabilities. Additionally, some states aggregated across a particular group of grades. For example, West Virginia aggregates across the elementary, middle, and high school grades. These scores are included but identified by using “EL” for elementary aggregation, “MS” for aggregation across the middle school grades, and “HS” for aggregation across high school.


Reading Performance

Figures 13–15 present the reading performance of students. The performance of students with disabilities in reading is generally much lower than the performance of all students. There are a few instances where the percentage of students with disabilities scoring proficient was higher than the percentage of all students scoring proficient. Both Arizona and Georgia reported higher rates of proficient elementary students with disabilities in reading compared to all students.

The gaps in performance are variable, with few evident patterns. Gaps between students with disabilities and general education students increased with grade level.

Figure 13. Elementary School Reading Performance on Criterion-Referenced Tests

Figure 14. Middle School Reading Performance on Criterion-Referenced Tests

Figure 15. High School Reading Performance on Criterion-Referenced Test

Mathematics Performance

Performance of all students and students with disabilities on states’ 2003–2004 mathematics assessments is shown in Figures 16–18. The figures cover elementary, middle, and high school. The same cautions apply to these figures as applied to the reading figures.

As shown in Figures 16–18, the gap between students with disabilities and all students on math assessments is quite similar to the gap found for reading assessments. The gap for math assessments exists in all states and varies considerably from state to state. Generally, the gap increases by grade level. Students with disabilities typically perform lower when compared to either regular education or all students. However, there are a few instances where this is not the case. At the elementary level, there are two instances where a higher percentage of students with disabilities achieved proficiency when compared to all students at that grade level (Georgia and Virginia).

Figure 16. Elementary School Mathematics Performance on Criterion-Referenced Tests

Figure 17. Middle School Mathematics Performance on Criterion-Referenced Tests

Figure 18: High School Mathematics Performance on Criterion-Referenced Tests

Figures 19 and 20 show the results of high school reading and math exit exams. States administer exit exams in different grades. The number in the parenthesis next to the state’s name indicates the grade from which the data come. If the exit exam incorporates multiple high school grades, this is indicated by “HS.”

Only those states that report disaggregated results for students with disabilities are included in these figures. These results reflect only the first administration of the exit exam. States offer multiple retest opportunities for their exit exams, and the percent passing increases with each retest. Often the gaps between general and special education students become very small on retesting. New York offers two exit exams: the Regent’s Comprehensive Exam and the Regent’s Competency Test. The Regent’s Competency Test is a “safe harbor” assessment implemented only for students with disabilities and those who received special education services in previous years. However, New York provides a percentage of students who passed both tests. This percentage is presented in Figures 19 and 20.

The figures presented here for first administration show that large gaps exist for exit exams, though the percent of students passing the exit exams varies widely by state. The data have to be viewed in light of unique state policies about the ways in which students can earn proficient scores. In some states, such as Arizona for example, students can pass the assessment with a lower score than students without disabilities.

Figure 19. Percent Passing Minimum Competency/High School Reading Exit Exam

Figure 20. Percent Passing Minimum Competency/High School Mathematics Exit Exam

Assessment Performance: Trends

As part of an earlier analysis (Thurlow et al., 2003), we examined the performance of students with disabilities for states that had at least three years of publicly reported data. In light of the changes that were brought about by NCLB, we decided to examine states that reported six years of data using the same assessment. In 2000–2001, 13 states had publicly reported information on their statewide tests for three years for both math and reading (California, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, and Washington). Colorado reported three years of information only for the reading test and Kansas reported information only for the math test. In 2003–2004, 11 states have six years of publicly reported information on their statewide tests (California, Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Washington). Similar to the previous report, we have six years of information for Colorado for the reading test and from Kansas for the math test. Texas and Maryland were no longer included because they had changed their tests. Minnesota, which did not report performance information in 2002–2003 (Wiley et al., 2005) and Utah, which aggregated its performance information across all grades in 2003–2004, also could not be included in the six year analyses.


Reading Tests

Figures 21–23 show the percentages of students with disabilities achieving proficiency on state assessments at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In general, it appears that for elementary school students with disabilities a higher percentage of students are achieving proficiency in reading in the later years. A few states have some spikes or drops (California, Louisiana), but it may be that tests were being adjusted with the passage of NCLB.

At the middle school level, it appears that most states had a higher percentage of students achieving proficiency in 2001–2002. The exceptions are California and Louisiana. At the high school level, a much smaller percentage of students achieved proficiency, but this number gradually increases in later years.

Figure 21. Six-Year Trends of the Percentage of Elementary Students with Disabilities Who Achieved Proficiency on Statewide Reading Exams

Figure 22. Six-Year Trends of the Percentage of Middle School Students with Disabilities Who Achieved Proficiency on Statewide Reading Exams

Figure 23. Six-Year Trends of the Percentage of High School Students with Disabilities Who Achieved Proficiency on Statewide Reading Exams

Math Tests

Figures 24–26 show the percentages of students with disabilities achieving proficiency on state assessments at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for math. In general, it appears that for elementary school students with disabilities a higher percentage of students are achieving proficiency in math in later years, particularly when comparing the years after NCLB was passed. A few states have some spikes or drops (California, Louisiana), but it may be that tests were being adjusted with the passage of NCLB.

A similar pattern can be observed at the middle and high school level as well. Again, California and Louisiana have spikes prior to 2003–2004, but this may be the result of changes in the test. When comparing the 2001–2002 school year to 2003–2004, and with the exception of Louisiana, students with disabilities are achieving a higher level of proficiency in 2003–2004.

Figure 24. Six-Year Trends of the Percentage of Elementary Students with Disabilities Who Achieved Proficiency on Statewide Mathematics Exams

Figure 25. Six-Year Trends of the Percentage of Middle School Students with Disabilities Who Achieved Proficiency on Statewide Mathematics Exams

Figure 26. Six-Year Trends of the Percentage of High School Students with Disabilities Who Achieved Proficiency on Statewide Mathematics Exams

Discussion

There have been many areas of improvement for statewide public reporting. For public reporting of general assessments, it appears that about the same number of states are reporting information for all their tests, regardless of whether they are included in state accountability systems (35 in 2003–2004 compared to 36 in 2002–2003). However, for tests in NCLB accountability systems, improvement is evident. In 2003–2004, 44 states reported both performance and participation information for all the tests in their NCLB accountability system while 40 did so in 2002–2003.

A total of 48 states reported some state-level information about students with disabilities on their state assessments. Of these states, 35 reported participation and performance for all their assessments, 11 reported participation and performance data for some of their tests, 2 only reported performance information, and 2 did not report information. This is close to the results of 2002–2003 (Wiley et al., 2005). However, when considering only tests that are part of NCLB accountability systems, 44 reported participation and performance information for all their assessments, 2 reported participation and performance information for some of their assessments, 2 reported performance information for all their assessments, and 2 did not report information.

When examining alternate assessments, only 36 states reported any information. This is the same as 2002–2003. However, more states reported both participation and performance data for their alternate assessments (33 in 2003–2004 compared to 29 in 2002–2003). One state reported only performance data (compared to 4 in 2002–2003) and 2 reported only participation data for their alternate assessment (compared to 3 in 2002–2003). Fourteen states did not report participation or performance information about their alternate assessment.

For their general assessments, 34 states reported either the percent of students tested or not tested for at least one of their assessments (53 assessments total). This is a much more informative way of presenting data than just giving the number of students tested. However, the number of students tested still continues to be the most common way of reporting participation (79 assessments). The number or percent of students who were exempt or excluded from assessments was given for 1 test and the number or percent of students absent was given for 19 tests. For their alternate assessments, the most common way of reporting participation information was to give the number of students tested, which was done by 32 states. Twenty states gave a rate, which is an increase from 15 in 2002–2003.

When we examined the performance of students for the general assessment, we found that large gaps existed between students with disabilities and all students. Though some gaps were much larger than others, the gaps were noticeable for all states that provided performance data. Gaps were larger at higher grades. In a few instances, a higher percentage of students with disabilities achieved proficiency compared to all students. This finding should be followed in future years to see whether this is a trend for students with disabilities in these states.

It appears that across years there are gradual improvements in the percentage of students with disabilities who achieve proficiency on statewide reading and math tests. These trends are most evident in the elementary grades, and seem to dissipate somewhat at the middle school level and even more at the high school level (though it is difficult to tell this because so few states have data). It will be important to continue to follow these trends.

In the second year following NCLB, it is interesting to see that many states are making strides toward reporting disaggregated participation and performance data, at least as it relates to the tests in their accountability systems. Still there are improvements that could be made, particularly in relation to reporting on alternate assessments. Fourteen states are still not reporting participation and performance data for this assessment. It may be that this is because states are revising these assessments in light of new requirements (throughout 2003). Yet, the number seems higher than expected.

There have definitely been improvements since 2002–2003 in the reporting of state assessment data, and this trend will likely continue for 2004–2005. Continued checking on the reporting practices of states and on the participation levels and performance achieved by students with disabilities is important.

References

Fast, E. F., Blank, R. K., Potts, A., & Williams, A. (2002). A guide to effective accountability reporting. Washington, DC: Council of Chief State School Officers.

McGrew, K. S., Thurlow, M. L., Shriner, J. G., & Spiegel, A. N. (1992). Inclusion of students with disabilities in national and state data collection programs (Technical Report 2). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

McLaughlin, M. J., & Thurlow, M. L. (2003). Educational accountability and students with disabilities: Issues and challenges. Educational Policy, 17(4), 431–451.

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq. (2002).

Schwartzbeck, T. D. (2003). Targeting subgroups. School Administrator, 60(11), 16–20.

Thurlow, M. L., & Wiley, H. I. (2004). Almost there in public reporting of assessment results for students with disabilities (Technical Report 39). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

Thurlow, M. L., Wiley, H. I., & Bielinski, J. (2003). Going public: What 2000–2001 reports tell us about the performance of students with disabilities (Technical Report 35). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

Wiley, H. I., Thurlow, M. L., & Klein, J. A. (2005). Steady progress: State public reporting practices for students with disabilities after the first year of NCLB (2002–2003) (Technical Report 40). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

Ysseldyke, J. E., Thurlow, M. L., Langenfeld, K. L., Nelson, J. R., Teelucksingh, E., & Seyfarth, A. (1998). Educational results for students with disabilities: What do the data tell us? (Technical Report 23). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes.

Zlatos, B. (1994). Don’t test, don’t tell: Is “academic red-shirting” skewing the way we rank our schools? The American School Board Journal 191(11), 24–28.

Appendix A

Verification Letter to State Assessment Director

The National Center on Educational Outcomes is examining states’ public reports on 2003–2004 school year assessment results. We have reviewed your Web site for both participation and performance data on your statewide assessments. At this time, we were unable to find any information regarding the name of the tests you administer, the grades and subject areas that are tested or the results of those tests. We were also unable to find any information on how participation information is reported for students with disabilities (if it is available) and whether information is given about students who took assessments with individual accommodations.

Please provide us with information on the name of the tests you administer, the grades and subject areas tested by each test as well as where we can find participation and performance data for these tests. Our goal is to (a) identify all components of each state’s testing system, (b) determine whether each state reports disaggregated test results for students with disabilities, (c) describe the way participation information is presented, and (d) describe how states report results for students who took the test with accommodations or modifications.

If there is publicly reported information available for your state, please provide us with the public document and/or website that contains the accurate information. Address your responses to Jenny Klein at the above address.

If you have any questions about our request, please call Jenny Klein at (612) 626-0658 or email: klei0321@umn.edu. If we do not hear from you by February 28, 2005, we will assume there is no publicly available information.

Thank you for taking the time to provide this information.
Sincerely,

Jenny Klein
Graduate Research Assistant

Martha Thurlow
Director

Table 1: Tests Administered and Results Found
Please review this table for its accuracy, make any changes (if necessary), and fill in any blank spaces.

State

Test

Grades Tested

Subject Areas

Is Disaggregated Info for Students with Disabilities Reported (Yes/No)

Is this test part of the state accountability system? (Yes/No)

AL

 

 

 

Participation

Performance

 

Direct Assessment of Writing [CRT]

5,7

Writing

Yes

Yes

 

High School Graduation Exam

[EXIT]

12

 

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

 

Stanford Achievement Test, 10th ed. (SAT-10) [NRT]

3-8

Reading, Language, Math, Science. Social Studies

Yes

Yes

 

Alternate Assessment

3-8, 11, 12

Not specified

Yes

Yes

 

 

Table 2: Participation Information for Students with Disabilities
Please review this table, which describes the way in which participation data are publicly reported in your state. A dot in the box indicates information is reported in this way. Please add a “Y” if you know of any other method of participation reporting, and please provide us with the information that is reported in that way (either a hard copy or a web-link).  

State

Test

Number

Tested

Number Not Tested

Number Exempt

Number Excluded

% of students tested

% of students not tested

%

Exempt

% Excluded

Number and/or Percent Absent

AL

HS Graduation Exam

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAT-10

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAW

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blank cell = no data

Table 3: Accommodations
We are interested in examining if and how states report information about students who take assessments using accommodations. Please change our responses (if necessary) to reflect information that is reported for your state. If you do make changes, please provide us with the information (either a hard-copy or a web-link).

Test

Allowable Accommodations

Non-allowable Accommodations

 

Participation

Performance

Participation

Performance

HS Graduation Exam

No

No

No

No

SAT-10

No

No

No

No

DAW

No

No

No

No

Alternate

No

No

No

No

Appendix B

Letters to State Directors of Special Education

(Two forms depending on input from Assessment Director. Example here is if letter was verified by the Assessment Director. If no verification, letter was the same as in Appendix A.)

The National Center on Educational Outcomes is examining states’ public reports on 2003–2004 school year assessment results. We have reviewed your state’s Web site for both participation and performance data on your statewide assessments. Attached tables reflect what we believe to be the tests your state administers and the results that we have found thus far on the Web (Table 1), how participation information is reported for students with disabilities (if it is available) (Table 2), and whether information is given about students who took assessments with individual accommodations (Table 3). These tables have been verified by your state’s Director of Assessment, but if you have anything to add, please let us know.

Please review the tables and verify their accuracy. Our goal is to (a) identify all components of each state’s testing system, (b) determine whether each state reports disaggregated test results for students with disabilities, (c) describe the way participation information is presented, and (d) describe how states report results for students who took the test with accommodations or modifications.

If any data element is inaccurate, please provide us with the public document and/or website that contains the accurate information. Address your responses to Jenny Klein at the above address.

If you have any questions about our request, please call Jenny Klein at (612) 626-0658 or email: klei0321@umn.edu. If we do not hear from you by June 16, 2005 we will assume that our summaries are accurate.

Thank you for taking the time to verify our findings.

Sincerely,

Jenny Klein
Graduate Research Assistant

Martha Thurlow
Director
 

Table 1: Tests Administered and Results Found
Please review this table for its accuracy, make any changes (if necessary), and fill in any blank spaces.

State

Test

Grades Tested

Subject Areas

Is Disaggregated Info for Students with Disabilities Reported (Yes/No)

Is this test part of the state accountability system? (Yes/No)

AL

 

 

 

Participation

Performance

 

Direct Assessment of Writing

(criterion-referenced)

5,7

Writing

Yes

Yes

Yes

High School Graduation Exam

(Exit Exam)

12

Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Language

Yes

Yes

Yes

SAT-10

(norm-referenced)

3-8

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

Yes

Alternate Assessment

3-8,11,12

Not specified

Yes

Yes

No

 

Table 2: Participation Information for Students with Disabilities
Please review this table, which describes the way in which participation data are publicly reported in your state. A dot in the box indicates information is reported in this way. Please add a “Y” if you know of any other method of participation reporting, and please provide us with the information that is reported in that way (either a hard copy or a web-link). 

State

Test

Number

Tested

Number Not Tested

Number Exempt

Number Excluded

% of students tested

% of students not tested

%

Exempt

% Excluded

Number and/or Percent Absent

AL

Direct Assessment of Writing

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HS Grad. Exam

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAT-10

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternate Assessment

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blank cell = No data

Table 3: Accommodations
We are interested in examining if and how states report information about students who take assessments using accommodations. Please change our responses (if necessary) to reflect information that is reported for your state. If you do make changes, please provide us with the information (either a hard-copy or a web-link).

Test

Standard Administration

Nonstandard Administration

 

Participation

Performance

Participation

Performance

Direct Assessment of Writing

No

No

No

No

High School Graduation Exam

No

No

No

No

SAT-10

No

No

No

No

Alternate Assessment

No

No

No

No


Appendix C

2003–2004 State Assessment Systems and Status of Disaggregated Data

 

State

Assessment Component

Grades

Subject

Disaggregated Special Education Data

Part

Perf

Alabama

Direct Assessment of Writing [CRT]

5,7,10

Writing

Yes

Yes

*High School Graduation Exam

[EXIT]

11

 

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

Stanford Achievement Test, 10th ed. (SAT-10) [NRT]

3–8

Reading, Language, Math, Science. Social Studies

Yes

Yes

*Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) [CRT]

4,6,8

Reading (4,6,8), Mathematics (4,6)

Yes

Yes

Alaska

*Standards Based Assessment (SBA) [CRT]

3–9

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

*High School Graduation Qualifying Exam [EXIT]

10

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

Arizona

Stanford Achievement Test, 9th ed. (SAT-9) [NRT]

2–9

Reading, Language, Math

No

No

* AZ Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) [CRT]

3,5,8

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

* AIMS [EXIT]

10

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

Arkansas

Stanford Achievement Test, 9th ed. (SAT-9) [NRT]

5,7,10

Complete Battery

No

No

*Arkansas Benchmark Exams (including End-of-Course)  [CRT]

4,6,8, 9–12

Literacy [Reading & Writing] (4,6,8,11), Math (4,6,8), EOC–Algebra I (9–12), EOC-Geometry (9–12)

No

Yes

California

* Content Standards [CRT]

2–11

English Language Arts, Math (2–9), Algebra I & II (8–11), Integ. Math I–III (9–11), Geometry (8–11), Soc. Studies (8), World Hist. (10), US Hist. (11), Bio./Life Sci. (9–11), Chem. (9–11), Earth Sci. (9–11), Physics  (9–11), Integ./Coord. Sci. (9–11)

Yes

Yes

Spanish Assessment of Basic Education (SABE/2) [NRT]

2–11

Reading, Language, Math, Spelling (2–8)

Yes

Yes

* California Achievement Test, 6th ed. (CAT-6) [NRT]

3,7

Reading, Language, Math, Spelling, Science

Yes

Yes

 

State

Assessment Component

Grades

Subject

Disaggregated Special Education Data

Part

Perf

Colorado

* CO Student Assessment Program (CSAP) [CRT]

3–10

Reading, Math (5–10), Writing, Science (8)

Yes

Yes

Connecticut

* CT Mastery Test (CMT) [CRT]

4,6,8

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

* CT Academic Performance Test (CAPT) [CRT]

10

Reading, Math, Writing, Science

Yes

Yes

Delaware

* DE Student Testing Program (DSTP) [SAT-9 for R,M with other criterion measures; NRT/CRT]

3–6,8,10,11

Reading (3,5,8,10), Math (3,5,8,10), Writing (3,5,8,10), Science (4,6,8,11), Social Studies (4,6,8,11)

Yes

Yes

 

DE Student Testing Program (DSTP) [SAT-9 for R,M with other criterion measures; NRT/CRT]

2,4,6,7,9

Reading (2,4,6,7,9); Math (2,4,6,7,9), Writing (4,6,7,9)

No

No

Florida

* FL Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) includes SAT-9

[NRT/CRT]

3–10

Reading, Math, Writing

No

No

 

Georgia

End of Course Tests [CRT]

9–12

English Literature and Composition (9), American Literature and Composition, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Physical Science, U.S. History, Economics/Business/Free Enterprise

Yes

Yes

 

* GA High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) [EXIT]

11

English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

 

* Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) [CRT]

1–8

Reading, English/Language Arts, Math, Science (3–8), Social Studies (3–8)

Yes

Yes

 

* Middle Grades/High School Writing Assessment [CRT]

5,8,11

Writing

Yes

Yes

 

Hawaii

* HI Content and Performance Standards (HCPS II) State Assessment [CRT]

3,5,8,10

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

 

 

Idaho

ID Direct Assessments (DMA/DWA) [CRT]

4–9

Math (4,6,8), Writing (5,7,9)

Yes

Yes

 

* Idaho Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) [CRT]

2–10

Reading/Language Arts, Math

Yes

Yes

 

Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) [CRT]

K–3

Reading

Yes

Yes

 

Illinois

* IL Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) [CRT]

3,4,5,7,8

Reading (3,5,8), Math (3,5,8), Writing (3,5,8), Science (4,7), Social Studies (4,7)

Yes- aggregateacross tests

Yes

 

* Prairie State Achievement Exam [CRT]

11

Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies

Yes- aggregateacross tests

Yes

 

* Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English (IMAGE) [CRT]

3,5,8,11

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes- aggregateacross tests

Yes

 

Indiana

* IN Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP+) [NRT/CRT

3,6,8

English Language Arts, Math

Yes

Yes

 

* Graduation Qualifying Exam [EXIT]

10

English Language Arts, Math

Yes

Yes

 

Iowa

* ITBS/ITED [NRT]

3–12

(only report on grades 4,8,11)

Reading, Math, Science (8,11)

Yes

 

Yes

 

Kansas

* KS Assessment System [CRT]

 

4–8,10,11

Reading (5,8,11), Math (4,7,10), Science (4,7,10), Social Studies (6,8,11)

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

Kentucky

* Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, 5th ed. (CTBS/5) [NRT]

3,6,9

Reading, Language, Math

Yes

Yes

 

* KY Core Content Test [CRT]

4,5,7,8, 10–12

Reading (4,7,10), Math (5,8,11), Writing (4,7,12), Science (4,7,11), Social Studies (5,8,11), Arts & Humanities (5,8,11), Practical Living & Vocational Studies (5,8,10)

Yes

Yes

 

 

Louisiana

* LA Educational Assessment Program (LEAP 21) [CRT]

4,8

English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

* Graduation Exit Exam (GEE-21) [EXIT]

10, 11

Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

* Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/Iowa Tests of Educational Development  [NRT]

3,5,6,7,9

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

Maine

* Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) [CRT]

4,8,11

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Maryland

* Maryland School Assessment (MSA) [CRT]

3,5,8,10

Reading (3,5,8,10), Math (3,5,8,10)

Yes

Yes

* High School Assessment [CRT]

9–12

English I, Biology, Government,               

Algebra

Yes

Yes

Massachusetts

* MA Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) [CRT]

3–8,10

Reading (3), English Language Arts (4,7,10), Math (4,6,8,10), Science/Technology (5,8)

Yes

Yes

Michigan

* MI Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) [CRT]

4,5,7,8

 

 

Reading (4,7), Math (4,8), Writing (4,7), Science (5,8), Social Studies (5,8), Listening (4,7)

Yes

 

Yes

 

Minnesota

* MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) [CRT]

3,5,7,10,11

Reading (3,5,7,10), Math (3,5,7,11), Writing (5,10)

Yes

Yes

Basic Skills Test [EXIT]

8,10

Reading (8), Math (8), Writing (10)

Yes

Yes

Mississippi

   * MS Curriculum Test (MCT) [CRT]

2–8

   Reading, Language, Math

Yes

Yes

Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills, 5th ed. (CTBS/5) [NRT]

6

Reading, Language, Math

Yes

Yes

Writing Assessment [CRT]

4,7

Writing

Yes

Yes

Functional Literacy Exam (FLE) [EXIT]

For most students, only math is required for graduation.

11

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

* Subject Area [CRT]

9–12

Algebra I, U.S. History, Biology, English II

Yes

Yes

Missouri

* MO Assessment Program (MAP) (Terra Nova survey) [NRT/CRT]

3,4,7,8,10,11

Communication Arts (3,7,11), Math (4,8,10), Science (optional) (3,7,10), Social Studies (optional) (4,8,11)

Yes

Yes

Montana

* Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/ Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITBS/ITED) [NRT]

4,8,11

Reading, Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

Nebraska

* Nebraska Statewide Writing Assessment [CRT]

4,8,11

Writing

Yes

Yes

* Assessment of State Math Standards [CRT]

4,8,11

Math

Yes

Yes

 

Nevada

* Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/ Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITBS/ITED)  [NRT]

4,7,10

Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

* Nevada Criterion Referenced Exam [CRT]

3,5,8

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

* NV High School Proficiency Exam [EXIT]

11–12

Reading, Math, Science

Yes

Yes

* NV Direct Writing Assessment [CRT]

4,8,11,12

Writing

Yes

Yes

New Hampshire

* NH Educational Improvement and Assessment Program (NHEIAP) [CRT]

3,6,10

English Language Arts, Math, Science (6,10), Social Studies (6,10)

Yes

Yes

New Jersey

* NJ Assessment of Skills and

Knowledge (NJ-ASK) [CRT]

4

Language Arts Literacy, Math, Science

Yes

Yes

* Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment (GEPA) [CRT]

8

    Language Arts Literacy, Math,

    Science

Yes

Yes

* High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) [EXIT]

11

    Language Arts Literacy, Math,

    Writing

Yes

Yes

New Mexico

* NM Achievement Assessment Program (NMAAP) (CTBS/5 & other criterion measures) [NRT/CRT]

4,8

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

* NM High School Standards Assessment [EXIT]

10

Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Writing

Yes

Yes

New York

* Regents Comprehensive Exams [EXIT]

9–12

English, Foreign Languages, Math, History/Social Studies, Science

Yes

Yes

 

* Regents Competency Test [EXIT]

9–12

Reading, Math, Science, Writing, Global Studies, U.S. History & Government

Yes

Yes

 

* NY State Assessment Program [CRT]

4,8

English/Language Arts, Math, Science

Yes

Yes

North Carolina

* End of Grade [CRT]     

3–8, 10

Reading,  Math

Yes

Yes

        * End of Course [CRT]

9–12

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, English I, Physical Science, History, Algebra I & II, Geometry

Yes

Yes

   * Grade 3 Pretest [CRT]

3

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

        Writing Assessment [CRT]

4,7,10

Writing

Yes

Yes

        * Computer Skills [CRT]

8

Computer

Yes

Yes

        * Competency Test [EXIT]

9

   Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

       *High School Comprehensive Test [CRT]

10

   Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

North Dakota

 

* North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) [NRT/CRT]

4,8,12

Reading/Language, Math

Yes

Yes

Ohio

* Reading Achievement Test [CRT]

3

Reading

Yes

Yes

* OH Proficiency Tests [CRT]

4,6,10

Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Citizenship

Yes

Yes

* 9th Grade Proficiency Test [EXIT]1

9

Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Citizenship

No

Yes

 

State

Assessment Component

Grades

Subject

Disaggregated Special Education Data

Part

Perf

Oklahoma

 

* Core Curriculum Tests [CRT]

5,8

Reading, Math, Writing, Science, History, Geography, Arts

Yes

Yes

 

* Stanford Achievement Test, 9th ed. (SAT-9) [NRT]

3

Reading, Math, Language, Spelling, Listening

Yes

No

* High School End-of-Instruction Tests [CRT]

9–11

English II, U.S. History, Algebra I, Biology

Yes

Yes

Oregon

* OR Statewide Assessment [CRT]

 

 

3,5,8,10

 

 

Reading/Literature, Math, Math Problem Solving (5,8,10), Writing, Science (8,10)

No

(district level only)

No

(district level only)

Pennsylvania

* PA System of School Assessment (PSSA) [CRT]

3,5,6,8,9,11

Reading (3,5,8,11), Math (3,5,8,11), Writing (6,9,11)

No

(district level only)

Yes

Rhode Island

 

* New Standards Reference Examinations [CRT]

4,8,10

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes

Yes

RI State Writing Assessment [CRT]

3,7,11

Writing

No

No

RI Health Education Assessment [CRT]

9

Health

No

No

South Carolina

* Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT) [CRT]

3–8

English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

* High School Exit Exam [EXIT]

10

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

South Dakota

 

*Dakota STEP Test [NRT/CRT]

3–8, 11

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Stanford Writing Assessment [NRT]

5,9

Writing

No

No

Tennessee

* Achievement Test [NRT]

3–8

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

Writing Test [CRT]

4,7,11

Writing

No

No

Gateway Testing Initiative [CRT]

9–12

Algebra I, Biology, English II

No

No

Texas

* Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) [CRT]

3–9

 

Reading, Math, Writing (4,7),  Science (5), Social Studies (8); Spanish version administered in grades 3–6.

Yes

Yes

* Exit Level TAKS [EXIT]

10,11

English/Language Arts (10,11), Math (10,11), Science (10,11), Social Studies (10,11)

Yes

Yes

Reading Proficiency Tests in English [CRT]

3–12

English Reading Proficiency

Yes

Yes

 

State

Assessment Component

Grades

Subject

Disaggregated Special Education Data

Part

Perf

Utah

Stanford Achievement Test, 9th ed. (SAT-9) [NRT]

3,5,8,11

Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

No

No

Core Criterion-Referenced Tests [CRT]

1–11

Reading, Math (1–10), Writing (6,9)

Yes2

Yes2

Direct Writing Assessment [NRT]

6,9

Writing

No

No

Vermont

* VT Comprehensive Assessment System [CRT]

2,4,5,8–

11

Reading (2), English/ Language Arts (4,8,10), Math (4,8,10), Science (5,9,11)

Yes

Yes

Virginia

* Standards of Learning (SOL) [CRT]

3,5,8

English (3), English: Reading/Literature and Research (5,8), English: Writing (5,8), Math, History, Science, Computer Technology (5, 8)

Yes

Yes

* Standards of Learning—End of Course [EXIT]3

 

9–12 (may be taken at an earlier grade)

English, Math (Algebra I, II, & Geometry), History/Social Studies (World History I & II, Geography, U.S. History), Science (Earth, Biology, Chemistry)

Yes

Yes

Washington

* WA Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) [CRT]

4,7,8,10

Reading (4,7,10), Math (4,7,10), Writing (4,7,10), Science (8,10)

Yes

Yes

Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/Iowa Tests of Educational Development  (ITBS/ITED) [NRT]

3,6,9

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

West Virginia

 * West Virginia Educational Standards Test (WESTEST) [CRT]

3–8 and 10

Reading/Language, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

WV Writing Assessment [CRT]

4,7,10

Writing

No

No

Wisconsin

* WI Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE) [CRT]

4,8,10

Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

WI Reading Comprehension Test (WRCT) [CRT]

3

Reading

No

No

Wyoming

* WY Comprehensive Assessment System (WyCAS) [CRT]

4,8,11

Reading, Writing, Math

Yes

Yes

Terra Nova Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills, 5th ed. (CTBS/5) [NRT]

4,8,11

Reading, Language, Math

No

No

 1 In Ohio, the Grade 10 CRT was a 2nd exit requirement during 2003–2004.

2 In Utah, all participation and performance data is aggregated across grades.

3 In Virginia, there is not one single exit exam. Students usually have to pass high school courses and the related SOL tests to earn verified credits for a standard or advanced diploma.

* Test is part of state accountability system for No Child Left Behind.

 

 Unique States

State

Assessment Component

Grades

Subject

Disaggregated Special Education Data

Part

Perf

American Samoa

Stanford Achievement Test – 10th Edition (SAT-10) [NRT]

Unknown

Unknown

No

No

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Students take the assessment of the state in which they live

 

 

Yes

Yes

Commonwealthof the Northern Mariana Islands

Stanford Achievement Test- 10th Edition (SAT-10) [NRT]

3,5,6,8,9,11

Reading, Writing, Math

No

No

District of Columbia

Stanford Achievement Test- 10th Edition (SAT-10) [NRT]

1–12

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Federated States of Micronesia

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

No

No

Guam

Stanford Achievement Test- 9th Edition (SAT-9) [NRT]

1,3,5,7,9–11

Reading, Math, Language

No

No

Palau1

Palau Achievement Test [NRT]

4,6,8,10

Reading, Math

No

No

Puerto Rico1

PPAA

Unknown

Unknown

No

No

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

No

No

Virgin Islands

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

No

No

 1 Denotes unique states in which we gathered information on their statewide assessments from their Annual Performance Report (APR).

Appendix D

Disaggregated Participation Information (Given for State-Level Data)
 

State

Test

No.

No.  Not Tested

No. Exempt

No. Excluded

Percent of Students Tested

Percent of Students not Tested

Percent Exempt

Percent Excluded

No. and/or Percent Absent

AL

HSGE

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAT-10

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARMT

 

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

DAW

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AK

SBA

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

HSGQE

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

AZ

AIMS

Y

 

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

Y

AIMS-EXIT

Y

 

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

Y

CA

Cont. Stands.

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

CAT/6

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

CO

CSAP

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

CT

CMT

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

CAPT

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

DE

DSTP (SAT9)

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

GA

EOC Tests

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GHSGT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRCT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writ. Assess.

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HI

HCPS II

 

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

ID

DMA/DWA

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISAT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRI

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

IL

ISAT

 

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

PSAE

 

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

IN

ISTEP+

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GQE

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA

ITBS/ITED

Y

 

 

 

Y1

Y1

 

 

Y

KS

KAS

Y

 

 

 

 

Y2

 

 

 

KY

KCCT

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

CTBS/5

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

LA

ITBS/ITED

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEAP-21

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEE-21

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ME

MEA

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

MD

MSA

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAS

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MA

MCAS

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

MI

MEAP

Y

 

 

 

Y3

 

 

 

 

MN

MCA

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

BST

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

MS

MCT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CTBS/5

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SATP

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writ. Assess.

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLE

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MO

MAP

Y

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

MT

ITBS/ITED

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NE

Assess. of St. Math Stands.

 

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

NE Statewide Writ. Assess.

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

NV

CTBS/5

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Criterion Ref. Exam

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NV HSPE

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NV Direct Writ. Assess.

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NH

NHEIAP

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

NJ

ESPA/GEPA/

HSPT

Y

Y

Y

 

Y

Y

Y

 

Y

NM

NMAAP

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

NMHSSA

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

NY

RCE

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

RCT

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

NYSAP

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

NC

EOG

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

EOC

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Gr. 3 Pretest

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Writ. Assess.

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

Y

Computer Test

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

Competency Test

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

HSCT

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

ND

NDSA

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

OH

OPT

 

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

OK

CCT

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

 

Y

SAT-9

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

 

Y

HS End of Instruc. Tests

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

 

RI

NSRE

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

SC

PACT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HSAP

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SD

Dakota STEP

 

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

TN

TCAP

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TX

TAKS

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAK-EXIT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RPTE

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

Y

 

Y

UT

CCRT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VT

VCAS

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VA

SOL

 

 

 

 

 

Y4

 

 

 

SOL-EOC

 

 

 

 

 

Y4

 

 

 

WA

WASL

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y

ITBS/ITED

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

WV

WESTEST

Y

Y

Y

 

Y

Y

Y

 

Y

WI

WKCE

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

WY

WyCAS

Y

Y5

Y5

Y5

 

 

 

 

Y5

1 IA: The percentage of students includes students who took ITBS/ITED and Alternate Assessment.

2 KS: The percentage of students includes students who took the Alternate and the KAS.

3 MI: The percentage of students is aggregated across all grades.

4 VA reports the percentage of students not tested, but the percentage is aggregated for the SOL, the SOL-EXIT, and the Alternate Assessment.

5 WY: The number of students not tested, exempt, excluded, and absent includes students who  took the Alternate and the WyCAS.

Appendix E

Participation Rate Analyses

State

Grade

Subject

Test Name

Alabama

8

Math

Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test

Alaska

8

Math

Standards Based Assessment

Arizona

8

Math

Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards

Colorado

8

Math

Colorado Student Assessment Program

Connecticut

8

Math

Connecticut Mastery Test

Delaware

8

Math

Delaware Student Testing Program

Hawaii

8

Math

Hawaii Content and Performance Standards State Assessment II

Iowa

8

Math

ITBS/ITED

Kansas

8

Math

Kansas Assessment System

Maine

8

Math

Maine Educational Assessment

Minnesota

7

Math

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment

Missouri

8

Math

Missouri Assessment Program

Nebraska

8

Math

Assessment of State Math Standards

New Hampshire

6

Math

New Hampshire Educational Improvement and Assessment Program

New Jersey

8

Math

Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment

New Mexico

8

Math

New Mexico Achievement Assessment Program

North Dakota

8

Math

North Dakota State Assessment

Ohio

6

Math

Ohio Proficiency Test

Oklahoma

8

Math

Core Curriculum Test

South Dakota

8

Math

Dakota STEP Test

West Virginia

Middle

Math

West Virginia Educational Standards Test


Appendix F

Disaggregated Alternate Assessment Participation Information (Given for State-Level Data)

State

Test

No.

No.  Not Tested

No. Exempt

No. Excluded

Percent of Students Tested

Percent of Students not Tested

Percent Exempt

Percent Excluded

No. and/or Percent Absent

AL

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AK

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

AZ

AIMS-Alt.

Y

 

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

Y

CA

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

CO

CSAPA

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

CT

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

Y

DE

DAPA

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

IA

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KS

Alternate

Y

Y

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

KY

Alt. Portfolio

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ME

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

MD

IMAP

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MA

MCAS-Alt

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

MI

MI-Access

Y

 

 

 

Y1

 

 

 

 

MN

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

MT

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NE

Alternate

 

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

NH

Alternate

Y

Y

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

NJ

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM

NMALT

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NY

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NC2

NCAAI

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

Y

NCAAP

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

Y

OH

Alternate

 

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

OK

Alternate

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

RI

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

SC

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TX

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UT

UAA

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VT

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VA

Alternate

 

 

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

WA

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

Y

 

 

 

WV

Alternate

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

Y

WI

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

Y

 

 

 

 

WY

Alternate

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1In Michigan, the percentage of students is aggregated across all grades.

Appendix G

2003–2004 Alternate Assessments

State

Assessment Component

Grades

Subject

Information Provided

Part

Perf

Alabama

* Alternate Assessment

3–8, 11

Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Soc. St., Self-Care/Living Skills, Communication/Sensory Awareness Skills, Motor Skills & Mobility, Socialization, Pre-vocational/Voc. skills

Yes

Yes

Alaska

* Alternate Assessment

3–10

English/Language Arts, Math, Skills for a Healthy Life

Yes

Yes

Arizona

* AIMS-Alternate

3,5,8,10,11,12

Reading, Math, Writing, Listening, Speaking

Yes

Yes

Alternate State Achievement Test (ASAT)

2–9

Reading, Math, Writing, Listening/Speaking

No

No

Arkansas

Alternate State Achievement Test (ASAT)

2–9

Reading, Math, Writing, Listening

No

No

California

* CA Alternate Performance Assessment

2–11

Reading, Writing, Listening, Math

Yes

Yes

Colorado

* CO Student Assessment Program Alternate (CSAPA)

3–10

Reading (3–10), Math (5–10), Writing (4–10), Science (8)

Yes

Yes

Connecticut

Alternate Assessment

4,6,8,10

Reading, Math, Writing

Yes1

Yes1

Delaware

* DE Alternate Portfolio Assessment

Ages 5–15,20

Reading and Math (Ages 5–15), Science and Social Studies (Ages 9,11,13, and 15), Career Voc.  (Age 20)

Yes

Yes

Florida

Alternate Assessment

Not Designated

Not Designated

No

No

Georgia

 

* GA Alternate Assessment (GAA)

K–12

Communication, Daily Living, Motor, Cog./Functional Academics, Social/ Emotional, Community, Vocational, Rec/Leisure

No

No

Hawaii

Alternate Assessment

 

 

No

No

Idaho

 

Alternate Assessment

K–10

Reading, Language, Math (2–10)

No

No

Illinois

* Alternate Assessment

3–5,7,8,11

Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies

No

Yes

Indiana

Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR)

 

 

No

No

Iowa

* Alternate Assessment

4,8,11

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Kansas

* Alternate Assessment

Ages 10. 13, & 16

Reading & Math

Yes

Yes

Kentucky

Alternate Portfolio

3–12

Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Soc. St, Arts & Humanities, Practical Living & Voc Studies

Yes

Yes

Louisiana

* Alternate Assessment

3–11

English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Soc. St.  

Yes

Yes

Maine

* Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolios (PAAP)

4,8,11

English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science & Technology

Yes

Yes

Maryland

* Alternate Maryland School Assessment (ALT-MSA)

3–8, 10, 11

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Massachusetts

* MCAS Alternate Assessment

3–8, 10

Reading (3), English/Language Arts (4,7,10), Math (4,6,8,10), Science (5,8)

Yes

Yes

Michigan

* Alternate Assessment (MI-Access)

Ages 9,10,13,14,17,18

8 Performance Expectations

Yes

Yes

Minnesota

Alternate Assessment

3,5,7,10,11

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Mississippi

* Alternate Assessment

3–8

Comp.

No

No

Missouri

* Alternate Assessment (MAP-Alternate)

4,8,11

Communication Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, & Health/Physical Educ.

No

No

Montana

* Alternate Assessment

4,8,11

Reading, Lang Arts, Math, Science, Soc. St.

Yes

Yes

Nebraska

* Alternate Assessment

4,8,11

Math and Motor Development

Yes

Yes
Nevada

Skills and Competencies Alternate Assessment of Nevada (SCAAN)

4,8,10

Language, Math, Developmental Domains

No

No

New Hampshire

* Alternate Assessment

3,6,10

English/Language Arts, Math, Science (6,10), Social Studies (6,10)

Yes

Yes

New Jersey

Alternate Proficiency Assessment (APA)

4,8,11

Language Arts Literacy, Math

Yes

Yes

New Mexico

* Alternate Assessment

4,8,11

Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

Yes

Yes

New York

NY State Alternate Assessment (NYSSA)

Ages 10–11, 14– 15, 17–18

English Language Arts, Math

Yes

Yes

North Carolina

* NC Alternate Assessment Academic Inventory (NCAAAI)

3–8, 10

Reading, Math, Writing (4,7,10)

Yes

Yes

* NC Alternate Assessment Portfolio (NCAAP)

3–8, 10

Reading, Math, Writing (4,7,10)

Yes

Yes

North Dakota

* ND Alternate Assessment (NDALT)

4,8,12

Reading/Language, Math

No

No

Ohio

* Alternate Assessment

3,4,6

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Oklahoma

Alternate Assessment

All

Portfolio of Required Subjects

Yes

Yes

Oregon

* Extended Assessments

3,5,8,10

Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Career & Life Role Assess. System

No

No

Pennsylvania

PA Alternate System of Assessment  (PASA)

3,5,8,11

Reading, Math, Writing

No

No

Rhode Island

Alternate Assessment

3,4,5,7–11

Reading, Math, Writing, Health

Yes

Yes

South Carolina

* Alternate Assessment

3–8

English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Soc. St.

Yes

Yes

South Dakota

* Statewide Team-Led Alternate Assessment & Reporting System (STAARS)

3–8, 11

Reading, Math

No

No

Tennessee

TCAP-Alt

 

Language Arts/Reading, Math, Science, Soc. St.  

No

No

Texas

* Alternate Assessment

K–8

Reading, Math

Yes

Yes

Utah

Alternate Assessment

1–12

Language Arts, Math

Yes

No

Vermont

Alternate Assessment

2,4,5,8–11

Reading (2), English/Language Arts (4,8,10), Math (4,8,10), Science (5,9,11)

Yes

No

Virginia

Alternate Assessment

3,5,8–12

English, Math, Science, History

Yes

Yes

Washington

* WA Alternate Assessment System

4,7,8,10

Reading, Math, Writing, Science

Yes

Yes

West Virginia

* Alternate Assessment

3–8, 10

Reading/Language, Math, Science, Soc. St. 

Yes

Yes

Wisconsin

Alternate Assessment

4,8,10

Reading, Lang. Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Oral Language

Yes

Yes

Wyoming

* WyCAS Alternate

4,8,11

Language, Math

Yes

Yes

 1 CT alternate data is available for 10th grade; grades 4, 6, and 8 will be available shortly.

 * Test is part of state accountability system for No Child Left Behind.

Appendix H

Participation and Performance for Students Tested with Accommodations

 Grade

 Subject

 Accommodation

 Participation

Percent Proficient

Arizona: AIMS “Students with Disabilities”

3

Reading

With accommodations

2,615

X

With changes that invalidated their score

3,813

X

5

Reading

With accommodations

2,677

X

With changes that invalidated their score

3,256

X

8

Reading

With accommodations

2,881

X

With changes that invalidated their score

2,631

X

10

Reading

With accommodations

850

X

With changes that invalidated their score

601

X

3

Math

With accommodations

2,569

X

With changes that invalidated their score

3,682

X

5

Math

With accommodations

2,665

X

With changes that invalidated their score

3,164

X

8

Math

With accommodations

2,575

X

With changes that invalidated their score

2,962

X

10

Math

With accommodations

1,378

X

With changes that invalidated their score

2,118

X

Colorado: CSAP “All Students: Standard Accommodations”

4

Reading

Braille version

4

X

Large-print version

31

45%

Teacher-read directions only

1558

13%

Scribe

695

30%

Signing

12

X

Assistive communication device

26

58%

Extended timing

6206

40%

8

Reading

Braille version

4

X

Large-print version

15

X

Teacher-read directions only

1058

7%

Scribe

234

24%

Signing

18

6%

Assistive communication device

24

29%

Extended/modified timing

2280

28%

10

Reading

Braille version

6

X

Large-print version

11

X

Teacher-read directions only

417

8%

Scribe

107

21%

Signing

21

0%

Assistive communication device

10

X

Extended/modified timing

1431

21%

5

Math

Braille version

5

X

Large-print version

17

24%

Teacher-read directions only

820

18%

Use of manipulative

10

X

Scribe

418

33%

Signing

13

X

Assistive communication device

8

X

Extended timing

3384

42%

Oral presentation of entire test

1765

17%

8

Math

Braille version

7

X

Large-print version

13

X

Teacher-read directions only

684

5%

Use of manipulative

3

X

Scribe

157

16%

Signing

18

6%

Assistive communication device

9

X

Extended timing

1487

32%

Oral presentation of entire test

1101

4%

10

Math

Braille version

5

X

Large-print version

7

X

Teacher-read directions only

289

1%

Use of manipulative

3

X

Scribe

64

13%

Signing

8

X

Assistive communication device

2

X

Extended timing

1259

9%

Oral presentation of entire test

264

2%

Colorado: CSAP “All Students: Nonapproved Accommodation/Modification”

4

Reading

Nonapproved accommodation/modification

7

X

8

Reading

Nonapproved accommodation/modification

5

X

10

Reading

Nonapproved accommodation/modification

10

X

5

Math

Nonapproved accommodation/modification

21

X

8

Math

Nonapproved accommodation/modification

14

X

10

Math

Nonapproved accommodation/modification

85

X

Iowa: ITBS/ITED “Special Education”

4

Reading

With changes that invalidated their score

0

X

8

Reading

With changes that invalidated their score

0

X

11

Reading

With changes that invalidated their score

0

X

4

Math

With changes that invalidated their score

0

X

8

Math

With changes that invalidated their score

0

X

11

Math

With changes that invalidated their score

0

X

Indiana: ISTEP+ (Grades 3,6,8) and GQE (Grade 10) “Special Ed”

3

E/LA

Accommodations

5,434

22%

6

E/LA

Accommodations

2,997

50%

8

E/LA

Accommodations

2,111

40%

10

E/LA

Accommodations

7,742

20%

3

Math

Accommodations

5,666

66%

6

Math

Accommodations

3,263

57%

8

Math

Accommodations

2,284

48%

10

Math

Accommodations

7,790

25%

Indiana: ISTEP+ (Grades 3,6,8) and GQE (Grade 10) “General Ed”

3

E/LA

Accommodations

643

41%

6

E/LA

Accommodations

508

37%

8

E/LA

Accommodations

439

30%

10

E/LA

Accommodations

535

27%

3

Math

Accommodations

620

43%

6

Math

Accommodations

509

44%

8

Math

Accommodations

432

42%

10

Math

Accommodations

542

37%

Kansas: Kansas Assessment System “Students with Disabilities”

5

Reading

Modified assessment

1059

X

8

Reading

Modified assessment

971

X

11

Reading

Modified assessment

579

X

4

Math

Modified assessment

41

X

7

Math

Modified assessment

11

X

10

Math

Modified assessment

8

X

Kansas: Kansas Assessment System “All Students”

5

Reading

Modified assessment

1060

X

8

Reading

Modified assessment

973

X

11

Reading

Modified assessment

581

X

4

Math

Modified assessment

902

X

7

Math

Modified assessment

892

X

10

Math

Modified assessment

704

X

Kentucky:  KY Core Content Test “Students with Disabilities”

4

Reading

Accommodations

 5328(11% of all students)

49%

7

Reading

Accommodations

4938 (10%)

25%

10

Reading

Accommodations

3277 (7%)

10%

5

Math

Accommodations

5659 (12%)

29%

8

Math

Accommodations

4629 (9%)

13%

11

Math

Accommodations

2829 (7%)

12%

Kentucky: CTBS/5 “Students with Disabilities”

3

Reading

Accommodations

4101 (9%)

NP = 38

6

Reading

Accommodations

4609 (9%)

NP = 27

9

Reading

Accommodations

3810 (7%)

NP = 19

3

Math

Accommodations

4101 (9%)

NP = 34

6

Math

Accommodations

4609 (9%)

NP = 20

9

Math

Accommodations

3810 (7%)

NP=12

Louisiana: ITBS “All Students”

3

Reading

Calculator used

12,567

PR=47

5

Reading

Calculator used

21,964

PR=51

6

Reading

Calculator used

29,880

PR=42

7

Reading

Calculator used

31,294

PR=46

8

Reading

Calculator used

1,859

PR=16

9

Reading

Calculator used

30,380

PR=48

3

Math

Calculator used

12,573

PR=51

5

Math

Calculator used

21,963

PR=58

6

Math

Calculator used

29,887

PR=49

7

Math

Calculator used

31,321

PR=53

8

Math

Calculator used

1,869

PR=22

9

Math

Calculator used

30,442

PR=57

Maine: MEA “Students with Disabilities”

4

Reading

Took with accommodations

1957 (73% of SWD)

X

8

Reading

Took with accommodations

2201 (90%)

X

11

Reading

Took with accommodations

1331 (90%)

X

4

Math

Took with accommodations

2043 (72%)

X

8

Math

Took with accommodations

2246 (90%)

X

11

Math

Took with accommodations

1331 (90%)

X

Michigan: MEAP “All Students”

4

Reading

Standard accommodations

3,340

43%

Non-standard accommodations

195

55%

7

Reading

Standard accommodations

3,112

19%

Non-standard accommodations

128

17%

4

Math

Standard accommodations

7,055

46%

Non-standard accommodations

60

47%

8

Math

Standard accommodations

6,651

23%

Non-standard accommodations

74

8%

Missouri: MAP “IEP”

3

Com. Arts

Test read aloud

5,018

15.9%

7

Com. Arts

Test read aloud

6,561

4.8%

11

Com. Arts

Test read aloud

3,399

0.5%

4

Math

Test read aloud

5,862

17.6%

8

Math

Test read aloud

6,016

0.8%

10

Math

Test read aloud

4,307

0.8%

Nebraska: Statewide Writing Assessment “All Students”

4

Writing

Receiving accommodations

1,121 (5.59%)

X

8

Writing

Receiving accommodations

1,048 (4.81%)

X

11

Writing

Receiving accommodations

657 (3.28%)

X

Nebraska: Statewide Writing Assessment “Special Education”

4

Writing

Receiving accommodations

928 (29.54%)

X

8

Writing

Receiving accommodations

914 (30.89%)

X

11

Writing

Receiving accommodations

549 (27.08%)

X

North Carolina: End of Grade- “All Students”1

41

Reading

Braille edition

7

95%

Large print edition

95

75.8%

Assistive technology devices

70

62.9%

Keyboarding/word processor

1

X

Cranmer abacus

5

95%

Dictation to scribe

227

41.9%

Magnification device

21

76.2

Hospital/homebound teaching

10

50%

Tested in separate room

13624

53.3%

One item per page

64

39.1%

Scheduled extended time

14835

54.9%

Multiple testing sessions

5768

53.1%

Mark answers in book

9630

53.5%

Dictionary/electronic translator

448

60.5%

Interpreter signs math

23

30.4%

Math read aloud

11300

45.8%

Braille writer/slate and stylus

5

95%

Accommodation notification form

21

X

41

Math

Braille edition

7

95%

Large print edition

95

89.5

Assistive technology devices

73

80.8%

Keyboarding/word processor

1

X

Cranmer abacus

5

95%

Dictation to scribe

231

68.4%

Magnification device

22

95%

Hospital/homebound teaching

11

81.8%

Tested in separate room

13930

81.5%

Scheduled extended time

15413

82.4%

One item per page

67

62.7%

Multiple testing sessions

5920

80.3%

Mark answers in book

9854

80.8%

Dictionary/electronic translator

454

91.6%

Interpreter signs math

26

84.6%

Math read aloud

11646

78.9%

Braille writer/slate and stylus

5

95%

Accommodation notification form

22

77.3%

81

Reading

Braille edition

8

75%

Large print edition

50

74%

Assistive technology devices

26

73.1%

Keyboarding/word processor

12

83.3%

Cranmer abacus

5

95%

Dictation to scribe

82

48.8%

Magnification device

26

76.9%

Hospital/homebound teaching

34

70.6%

Tested in separate room

10279

53.3%

Scheduled extended time

13464

57.9%

One item per page

30

50%

Multiple testing sessions

2792

50.5%

Mark answers in book

4028

57.4%

Dictionary/electronic translator

785

45.9%

Interpreter signs math

28

39.3%

Math read aloud

7567

42.5%

Braille writer/slate and stylus

6

66.7%

Accommodation notification form

20

65%

81

Math

Braille edition

8

62.5%

Large print edition

49

69.4%

Assistive technology devices

25

80.0%

Keyboarding/word processor

12

58.3%

Cranmer abacus

5

80%

Dictation to scribe

83

49.4%

Magnification device

26

80.8%

Hospital/homebound teaching

34

61.8%

Tested in separate room

10337

49.6%

Scheduled extended time

13538

53.9%

One item per page

31

32.3%

Multiple testing sessions

2810

47.3%

Mark answers in book

4043

52.5%

Dictionary/electronic translator

805

58.1%

Interpreter signs math

31

38.7%

Math read aloud

7653

42%

Braille writer/slate and stylus

6

42%

Accommodation notification form

19

52.6%

North Carolina: High School Comprehensive Test “All Students”

High School

Reading

Braille edition

14

50%

Large print edition

33

54.5%

Assistive technology devices

14

50%

Keyboarding/word processor

7

71.4%

Cranmer abacus

3

X

Dictation to scribe

24

50%

Magnification device

8

25%

Hospital/homebound teaching

33

36.4%

Tested in separate room

5969

26.1%

Scheduled extended time

7685

31.8%

One item per page

11

27.3%

Multiple testing sessions

558

27.4%

Mark answers in book

1457

29.5%

Dictionary/electronic translator

609

40.6%

Interpreter signs math

34

50%

Math read aloud

3543

18.6%

Braille writer/slate and stylus

4

X

High School

Math

Braille edition

14

50%

Large print edition

33

54.5%

Assistive technology devices

14

50%

Keyboarding/word processor

7

71.4%

Cranmer abacus

3

X

Dictation to scribe

24

50%

Magnification device

8

25%

Hospital/homebound teaching

33

36.4%

Tested in separate room

5969

26.1%

Scheduled extended time

7685

31.8%

One item per page

11

27.3%

Multiple testing sessions

558

27.4%

Mark answers in book

1457

29.5%

Dictionary/electronic translator

609

40.6%

Interpreter signs math

34

50%

Math read aloud

3543

18.6%

Braille writer/slate and stylus

4

X

Ohio: Reading Proficiency Test “Students with Disabilities”

3

Reading

Regular with accommodations

38%

42.6%

Ohio: Proficiency Tests “Students with Disabilities”

4

Reading

Regular with accommodations

50%

29%

6

Reading

Regular with accommodations

55%

19.1%

4

Math

Regular with accommodations

50%

30%

6

Math

Regular with accommodations

55%

21.3%

Ohio: Graduation Test “Students with Disabilities”

9

Reading

Regular with accommodations

X

35%

 

Math

Regular with accommodations

X

21%

Oklahoma: SAT-9/Core Curriculum Tests “Students with Disabilities”

3

Reading

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

5

Reading

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

8

Reading

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

3

Math

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

5

Math

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

8

Math

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

Rhode Island: New Standards Reference Examinations “Students with Disabilities”

4

Reading

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

94

X

8

Reading

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

87

X

10

Reading

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

64

X

4

Math

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

8

Math

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

10

Math

Changes to assessment that invalidated score

0

X

Wyoming: WyCAS “Students with Disabilities”

4

Reading

Took with accommodations

677

X

8

Reading

Took with accommodations

680

X

11

Reading

Took with accommodations

364

X

4

Math

Took with accommodations

677

X

8

Math

Took with accommodations

1,637

X

11

Math

Took with accommodations

789

X

 1North Carolina End-of-Grade provided accommodations information for grades 3–8, but data are only provided here for grades 4 and 8. Accommodation information was provided for all assessments (i.e., End-of-Grade, End-of-Course, Grade 3 Pretest, Writing Assessment, Computer Skills, Competency Test, High School Comprehensive Test)

X = Data not presented.

Appendix I

Performance Data for Reading and Math Assessments 

State

Subject

Grade

Type of Test

Test Name

Alabama

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

ARMT

Reading and Math

11

EXIT

High School Graduation Exam

Alaska

Reading and Math

3,8

CRT

SBA

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

HSGQE

Arizona

Reading and Math

3,8

CRT

AIMS

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

AIMS Exit

Arkansas

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

Benchmark Exams

California

Reading and Math

4,7

CRT

Content Standard

Colorado

Reading

4,8,10

CRT

CSAP

Math

5,8,10

CRT

CSAP

Connecticut

Reading and Math

4,8,10

CRT

CMT

Delaware

Reading and Math

3,8,10

NRT/CRT

DSTP

Georgia

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

CRCT

Reading and Math

11

EXIT

GHSGT

Hawaii

Reading and Math

4,8,10

CRT

HCPS II

Idaho

Reading and Math

4,8,10

CRT

ISAT (referenced in charts as ID2)

Illinois

Reading and Math

3,8

CRT

ISAT

Reading and Math

11

CRT

PSAE

Indiana

Reading and Math

3,8

CRT

ISTEP+

Reading and Math

11

EXIT

GQE

Kansas

Reading

5,8,11

CRT

KAS

Math

4,7,10

CRT

KAS

Kentucky

Reading

4,7

CRT

KCCT

Math

5,8

CRT

KCCT

Louisiana

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

LEAP 21

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

GEE 21

Maine

Reading and Math

4,8,11

CRT

MEA

Maryland

Reading and Math

3,8,10

CRT

MSA

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

High School Assessment

Massachusetts

Reading

4,7,10

CRT

MCAS

Math

4,8,10

CRT

MCAS

Michigan

Reading

4,7

CRT

MEAP

Math

4,8

CRT

MEAP

Minnesota

Reading and Math

3,7,10

CRT

MCA

Reading and Math

8

EXIT

BST

Mississippi

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

MS Curriculum Test

English and Algebra

HS

CRT

Subject Area

Missouri

Reading

3,7,11

CRT

MAP

Math

4,8,10

CRT

MAP

Nebraska

Math

4,8,11

CRT

Assess. of State Math Standards

Nevada

Reading and Math

3

CRT

NV Criterion-Referenced Test

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

Graduation Exam

New Hampshire

Reading and Math

3,6,10

CRT

NHEIAP

New Jersey

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

ESPA; GEPA

Reading and Math

11

EXIT

HSPA

New Mexico

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

NMAAP

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

NM High Sch. Competency Exam

New York

Reading and Math

4,8

CRT

NY State Assessment Program

Reading and Math

 

EXIT

Regents Comprehensive Exams/Regents Competency Test

North Carolina

Reading and Math

3

CRT

Grade 3 Pretest (referenced in charts as NC2)

Reading and Math

4,8,10

CRT

End of Grade (referenced in charts as NC1)

Reading and Math

10

CRT

End of Course (referenced in charts as NC3)

Reading and Math

10

CRT

High School Comprehensive Test (referenced in charts as NC4)

North Dakota

Reading and Math

4,8,12

CRT

ND State Assessment

Ohio

Reading and Math

4,6,10

CRT

OH Proficiency Test (referenced as OH1)

Reading

3

CRT

Grade 3 Reading Test (referenced as OH2)

Reading and Math

9

EXIT

OH Proficiency Test

Oklahoma

Reading and Math

5,8,HS

CRT

Core Content Test

Pennsylvania

Reading and Math

5,8,11

CRT

PSSA

South Carolina

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

High School Exit Exam

Texas

Reading and Math

4, 8

CRT

TAKS

Utah

Reading and Math

10

EXIT

TAKS-EXIT

Reading

4,8,10

CRT

Core Criterion-Referenced Tests

 

Math

4,7

CRT

Core Criterion-Referenced Tests

Virginia

Reading and Math

3,8

CRT

Standards of Learning

Washington

Reading and Math

4,7,10

CRT

WASL

West Virginia

Reading and Math

EL,MS, HS

CRT

WESTTEST

Wisconsin

Reading and Math

4,8,10

CRT

WKCE

Wyoming

Reading and Math

4,8,10

CRT

WyCAS

 

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