Including Students with Deafblindness in Large Scale Assessment Systems

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Assessment Guidelines

Kentucky

Louisiana

Tennessee

 

Allowable Accommodations 

Kentucky

Louisiana

Tennessee

 

Why Should Students with Deafblindess Be Included in Large Scale Assessment Systems?

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Reference Materials

Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute

Tennessee's State/District Mandated Tests:

The 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA states that all students must be included in state, regional, and district large-scale assessments, with results from assessments reported and findings aggregated with the total school population.  This means there can be NO EXEMPTIONS from State Mandated Assessments.  Therefore, all students will be participating in the TCAP Assessments given at state-scheduled predetermined grade levels:

Tennessee students are required to pass the appropriate test (Proficiency Test or High School Competency Test) before graduation to receive the Regular Diploma. They have the opportunity to take the appropriate test at any regularly scheduled administration of the test during their high school career.

The M-Team has the responsibility of determining if an eligible student should not take the state mandated tests. Eligible students will take the test unless the M-Team determines that the test would be an unreasonable burden on the student. This decision must be incorporated into the student's IEP.

Students who are classified as “ungraded” will need grade-level assignments for determining which level of the TCAP Achievement Test (or TerraNova) is age-appropriate for that student.  Age appropriateness of the grade level assignment for inclusionary programming is mandated through IDEA.  The following chart can be used for assigning special education students and inclusionary grade levels as they relate to testing of students with the state assessments.  This can be adjusted by one and no more than two grade levels.  Once the grade level is assigned, students must test within that grade level.  

Criteria for Student Participation in TCAP-Alt 

(All conditions must be met)  

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1. Have a current IEP;

2. Have sufficient historical data available to apply these criteria, i.e., current and longitudinal data across multiple settings;

3. Demonstrate cognitive ability and adaptive skills which prevent full involvement in the state approved content standards even with program modifications;  

4. Have current adaptive skills requiring extensive direct instruction in multiple settings to accomplish the application and transfer of skills  necessary for functional application in school, work, home, and community environments; and

5. Have inability to complete the state approved content standards that is not primarily the result of excessive or extended absences, visual or auditory disabilities, emotional-behavioral disabilities, specific learning disabilities, or social, culture, and economic differences;

In Addition:

6. Members of the IEP team must agree that the student meets participation guidelines for the TN Alternate Assessment and should be excluded from the  regular state assessment; and

7. Participation in the TN Alternate Assessment must be documented and justified on the IEP.  

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