[SE-Dir] Extended Assessment Questions

[SANDBERG Ruby]

TO:   All District and ESD Special Education Directors

The message below is being sent to you on behalf of:


Nancy Latini, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Office of Student Learning & Partnerships
______________________________________________
April 17, 2012

RE:  Extended Assessment Questions


The purpose of this message is to reiterate current policy and procedures for the valid administration of Oregon's Extended Assessment in light of recent reports of the following improprieties:
Impropriety 1) Decisions to test an entire classroom with the Extended Assessment: While an entire classroom of students may take the same assessment due to the similarity of their needs, these decisions should always be made on a student by student, case by case basis, by each student's IEP team and that decision documented on the IEP.
Impropriety 2) Decisions to test a group of students in an environment that does not meet the requirements for a secure test environment as described in the Test Administration Manual for the Extended Assessment.  This is in violation of testing security, student confidentiality, and presents several other test validity issues.

Decisions to administer the Extended Assessment to a student should include input from individuals, including the parent, knowledgeable in Extended Assessments and about the student's performance levels.  The decisions for assessments must be documented on the student's IEP. The administration of the Extended Assessment is governed by the same security guidance that governs the general assessment. Administration violations, particularly those that violate a student's IEP or that alter the intent or purpose of the assessment must be reported as testing improprieties and may lead to the invalidation of the score.

Extended Assessments are individually administered assessments designed specifically for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Requirements for the appropriate administration of this assessment are described in the Test Administration Manual (http://www.ode.state.or.us/go/tam)  and the Extended Assessment manual http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/testing/admin/alt/ea/exassessadminman2011-12.pdf.  Citations relative to the Extended Assessment administration are below along with the pages on which to locate those citations.

For further clarification please contact Brad Lenhardt at 503-947-5755 or brad.lenhardt at state.or.us<mailto:brad.lenhardt at state.or.us>

o       P. 52: PART VIII - STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Both the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA) and OAR 581-022-0612 Exception of
Students with Disabilities from State Assessment Testing require that individuals with disabilities be
given equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from any program or activity customarily
granted to all individuals with appropriate adaptations. Therefore, all students with disabilities are
eligible to participate in the Oregon Statewide Assessments.
The student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, which includes the student's parents or
guardian, makes the decision regarding the most appropriate method for a student with disabilities
to participate in testing. Each student must be considered individually and not merely on the basis of
the student's disability category. If a student's IEP specifies that a student should take an Extended
Assessment, then the district must provide the student with that Extended Assessment. When
assessing a student with a disability, the district must also ensure that the assessment fully complies
with all IDEA requirements as specified in the IEP Guidelines.
*       P. 54: Extended Assessment
The Extended Assessments are Oregon's alternate assessments. The Extended Assessments are
individually administered performance assessments for students with the most significant cognitive
disabilities as determined by the student's IEP team.
*       P. 124: Extended Assessment
The Extended Assessments are Oregon's alternate assessments. The Extended Assessments are
individually administered performance assessments for students with the most significant cognitive
disabilities as determined by the student's IEP team.













Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant
Office of Student Learning & Partnerships
Oregon Department of Education
503-947-5738   FAX: 503-378-5156
ruby.sandberg at state.or.us






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