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PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT
(Updated 4/24/08)

   
OVERVIEW
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Without exception, all students enrolled in Vermont schools must be accounted for in the statewide assessment accountability system. Most students participate in the general statewide assessments with no accommodations while a small percentage of students take the general assessment using approved accommodations when necessary. An even smaller percentage of students participate in the assessment accountability system using the Portfolio Assessment of Alternate Grade Expectations (PAAGE).

In Vermont, use of assessment accommodations and alternate assessments is not limited to special education students. Among those who may qualify for accommodations or an alternate assessment are students who have been referred to a school's educational support team or students who have 504 plans. Parental input and a team decision are major requirements for determining if a student has special assessment needs and is eligible for assessment accommodations or alternate assessments.

Information on this page provides members of educational teams with a comprehensive resource for understanding and following the important procedures related to alternate assessment.

Assessment Process (Updated 4/24/08)
Case managers, regular and special educators, parents and administrators unfamiliar with the alternate assessment process in general are invited to review the assessment options collection, which leads users through a naturally occurring sequence of information and documentation related to choosing assessment options for all students. 

Portfolio Assessment of Alternate Grade Expectations (PAAGE) (formerly Lifeskills Portfolio) (Updated 4/24/08)
The Portfolio Assessment of Alternate Grade Expectations (PAAGE) is the Vermont state assessment of student achievement toward the Alternate Grade Expectations (AGEs). The AGEs are aligned with the Grade Expectations (GEs) in reading, writing, mathematics and science and represent a set of learning standards that define the valued academic and functional life outcomes for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. NOTE: This page also contains all necessary and required forms.

DUE DATES

  • November 15, 2007: All applications for the PAAGE (Documentation of Eligibility for Alternate Assessment) and the Declaration (Declaration Coversheet & Reference and Evaluation Procedures) forms were due. Updated applications may be accessed on the Portfolio page.
  • June 1, 2008: Completed portfolios are due to the Department of Education/Alternate Assessment program

   
LINKS TO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION
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  IEPs and GLEs: A Process for Estimating a Student’s Present Levels of Performance (PLOP) in Relation to Vermont’s Grade Level ExpectationsClicking this link will open a PDF document. Adobe Reader is required. To download a FREE version of Adobe Reader, click on the yellow Get Acrobat Reader icon toward the bottom of page.
The PLOP statement is the foundation used by IEP teams to create a program of supports and services that capitalizes on a student’s unique strengths and addresses the student’s specific academic needs. It provides a starting point for crafting appropriate goals and objectives and serves as a baseline for measuring future progress.
   
 

NECAP Accommodations Guide (August 2007)Clicking this link will open a PDF document. Adobe Reader is required. To download a FREE version of Adobe Reader, click on the yellow Get Acrobat Reader icon toward the bottom of page.
This booklet includes the Table of Approved NECAP Accommodations with explanations and suggestions for use, guidelines and procedures for requesting approval of unique accommodations, an accommodations planning process, and other information on how to administer the NECAP tests to students with special assessment needs.

   
  Student Performance Result on State Alternate Assessments Reported by Subgroups
The No Child Left Behind Act requires Vermont to report alternate assessment student performance annually by subcategories, including gender; major racial/ethnic categories; students with disabilities; economically disadvantaged students; students with limited English proficiency; and migrant students. Reported results are for alternate assessment, valid tests and are only publicly reported when there are more than 10 students in the group. Alternate assessments are Lifeskills, Stanford Diagnostic, and Out-of-level New Standards Reference Exams (NSREs).
   
CONTACT INFORMATION
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Cindy Moran, Alternate Assessment Coordinator
(802) 828-0646 (P)
(802) 828-6563 (F)
cindy.moran@state.vt.us

Greg Wylde, Alternate Assessment Coordinator
(802) 828-1338 (P)
(802) 828-6563 (F)
greg.wylde@state.vt.us

   
   

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Assessment Process | PAAGE

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