Embedded Files
Assessment & Accountability
Assessment & Accountability
Special Education Services (SES) provides these resources to help Alabama teachers make and implement appropriate assessment decisions for students with disabilities. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9, students with disabilities participate in state and districtwide assessments with the accommodations and supports documented by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams.
Special Education Services (SES) provides these resources to help Alabama teachers make and implement appropriate assessment decisions for students with disabilities. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9, students with disabilities participate in state and districtwide assessments with the accommodations and supports documented by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams.
Begin with the student’s instructional needs and current IEP, then check the requirements for the specific assessment being administered. The topics below address participation, accommodations, English learners with disabilities, graduation planning, alternate-assessment reporting, and secure test administration. Use current Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) manuals and your LEA test coordinator’s instructions for each testing year.
Begin with the student’s instructional needs and current IEP, then check the requirements for the specific assessment being administered. The topics below address participation, accommodations, English learners with disabilities, graduation planning, alternate-assessment reporting, and secure test administration. Use current Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) manuals and your LEA test coordinator’s instructions for each testing year.
State Assessment Participation Decisions
State Assessment Participation Decisions
Use the IEP Team’s documented decision to determine participation in the general assessment or ACAP Alternate. Review Alabama’s current guidance for determining whether a student has the most significant cognitive disabilities; a disability label or placement alone does not decide the assessment.
Use the IEP Team’s documented decision to determine participation in the general assessment or ACAP Alternate. Review Alabama’s current guidance for determining whether a student has the most significant cognitive disabilities; a disability label or placement alone does not decide the assessment.
Assessment Accommodations and Accessibility
Assessment Accommodations and Accessibility
Identify the accommodations a student needs to show what they know, confirm that each is allowed on the specific assessment, and coordinate with testing staff so approved supports are available and used as documented in the IEP.
Identify the accommodations a student needs to show what they know, confirm that each is allowed on the specific assessment, and coordinate with testing staff so approved supports are available and used as documented in the IEP.
English Learners with Disabilities
English Learners with Disabilities
Coordinate with English learner staff and the IEP Team to address both disability-related needs and English language development. Review participation and accommodation requirements for content assessments and the applicable WIDA ACCESS assessment.
Coordinate with English learner staff and the IEP Team to address both disability-related needs and English language development. Review participation and accommodation requirements for content assessments and the applicable WIDA ACCESS assessment.
Graduation Requirements and Assessment Pathways
Graduation Requirements and Assessment Pathways
Connect state assessment decisions to the student’s course of study, diploma planning, and transition goals. Use current Alabama graduation guidance; participation in ACAP Alternate should not be treated as a standalone decision about a student’s diploma outcome.
Connect state assessment decisions to the student’s course of study, diploma planning, and transition goals. Use current Alabama graduation guidance; participation in ACAP Alternate should not be treated as a standalone decision about a student’s diploma outcome.
Alternate Assessment and the One-Percent Threshold
Alternate Assessment and the One-Percent Threshold
Understand the federal statewide one-percent cap on alternate assessments aligned with alternate academic achievement standards, how LEAs justify rates above one percent, and why each student’s participation must still be determined individually by the IEP Team.
Understand the federal statewide one-percent cap on alternate assessments aligned with alternate academic achievement standards, how LEAs justify rates above one percent, and why each student’s participation must still be determined individually by the IEP Team.
Accessible and Secure Test Administration
Accessible and Secure Test Administration
Prepare for test day by confirming the current assessment manual, staff training, accessibility settings, assistive technology compatibility, and test-security procedures. Document and promptly report administration concerns through your LEA’s testing process.
Prepare for test day by confirming the current assessment manual, staff training, accessibility settings, assistive technology compatibility, and test-security procedures. Document and promptly report administration concerns through your LEA’s testing process.
Current Alabama Assessment Resources
Current Alabama Assessment Resources
Use the ALSDE assessment pages for current guidance, participation criteria, manuals, testing windows, and one-percent-cap materials. Guidance and test-specific accommodation rules can change by school year.
Use the ALSDE assessment pages for current guidance, participation criteria, manuals, testing windows, and one-percent-cap materials. Guidance and test-specific accommodation rules can change by school year.
[ button: SES ASSESSMENT RESOURCES ]
[ button: SES ASSESSMENT RESOURCES ]
[ button: STATE ASSESSMENT RESOURCES ]
[ button: STATE ASSESSMENT RESOURCES ]
Alabama State Department of Education — Special Education Services (SES)
Alabama State Department of Education — Special Education Services (SES)
Materials are provided for technical assistance purposes and do not constitute legal advice.
Materials are provided for technical assistance purposes and do not constitute legal advice.
Report abuse