Virginias Alternative Assessments

1
Virginias Alternative Assessments

• An Overview
• VGLA
• VSEP

2
Alternative Assessments

• Designed for small number of students with
  disabilities who are unable to participate in the
  regular SOL assessments, even with
  accommodations
• Alternate assessments are scored against grade
  level standards

3
Virginia Grade Level Alternative Assessment
(VGLA)Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program
(VSEP)

• Grade level alternative assessments allows a
  student to demonstrate individual achievement and
  proficiency on the Virginia SOLs through a
  Collection of Evidence
• The VGLA is available in grades 3-8
• The VSEP is available for ALL End-of-Course tests
  AND the numeracy and literacy requirements for
  the Modified Standard Diploma

4
Rationale for Moving Forward with the VGLA/VSEP
(Listed Lowest to Highest in Importance)

• Impact on school accreditation and AYP
• Impact on other peoples perceptions of students
  with disabilities and their impact on
  accreditation and AYP
• Impact on instruction for students with
  disabilities
• Impact on the students themselves
• Motivation
• Self-Image

5
Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility decisions are made by the IEP/504
  Committee
• Decisions are made on a test-by-test basis on an
  individual basis
• Documentation must be placed in a students
  cumulative folder documenting that s/he
  demonstrates knowledge in a format other than a
  multiple-choice format

6
VGLAParticipation Criteria

• Does the student have a current IEP/504 plan?
• Does the student demonstrate his/her individual
  achievement of Standards of Learning content
  through means other than multiple-choice formats?
• As a result of a disability, is the student
  unable to demonstrate his/her individual
  achievement on the Standards of Learning test for
  the assigned grade level using available standard
  and/or nonstandard accommodations or formats?

7
VSEPParticipation Criteria

• The student has a current IEP/504 Plan
• The student is enrolled in a course that has a
  SOL EOC test and/or the student is pursuing a
  Modified Standard Diploma and is seeking the
  literacy and/or numeracy requirements
• The impact of the students disability
  demonstrates to the IEP/504 committee that s/he
  will not be able to access the SOL assessments
  even with standard or nonstandard accommodations

8
Timeline

• September 7
• List of students identified to participate in the
  VGLA due to Carol Jennings
• September 14
• Initial VGLA training for teachers who have
  students identified for VGLA participation
• How to assemble the Collections of Evidence (COE)
• October April
• Assemble the Collections of Evidence
• Winter/Spring
• Division scoring teams will be established
• VDOE training for scoring teams
• May 1
• VGLACollections of Evidence due to Building
  Administrator

9
Timeline contd

• May 1 May 7
• VGLA/VSEPCollections of Evidence scanned for
  completeness
• May 8 May 31
• VGLAScored within the Division
• VGLAScores entered online by Central Office
  Personnel/Verified by Carol Jennings
• VSEP sent to VDOE for scoring

10
Timeline contd

• June
• VGLAState conducts random audits for 10-15 of
  Collections of Evidence
• VSEPScored by VDOE authorized scoring teams (the
  VSEP will require audits)

11
General Education Teachers Role

• Sit in on IEP/504 meetings when eligibility for
  VGLA/VSEP participation determined
• Participate in training
• Be familiar with blueprints/resource guides
• Collect student work that shows proficiency on
  tested SOL standards
• Organize the Collection of Evidence

12
General Education Teachers Role, contd

• Work collaboratively with Special Education
  teachers
• Meet on a regular basis with the VGLA team
• You
• Other General Education Teacher(s)
• Special Education Teacher(s)
• ParaProfessionals
• Student
• Parents
• Principal

13
Special Education Teachers Role

• Sit in on IEP/504 meetings when eligibility for
  VGLA/VSEP participation determined
• Participate in training
• Be familiar with blueprints/resource guides
• Help collect student work that shows proficiency
  on tested SOL standards
• Help organize the Collection of Evidence

14
Special Education Teachers Role, contd

• Work collaboratively with Regular Education
  teachers
• Meet on a regular basis with the VGLA team
• You
• Other Special Education Teacher(s)
• General Education Teacher(s)
• ParaProfessionals
• Student
• Parents
• Principal

15
Principals Role

• Set up common planning time for regular education
  teachers and special education teachers who work
  with students participating in the VGLA/VSEP
• Set interim goals
• Hold bi-monthly/monthly meetings to review
  Curriculum Guides with pacing suggestions and
  check progress on Collections of Evidence
• Provide guidance and support
• Seek input from Central Office Personnel
• Curriculum Supervisors
• Carol Jennings
• Special Education Personnel
• Others

16
Parent/Student Role

• Sit in on IEP/504 meetings when eligibility for
  VGLA/VSEP participation determined
• Look at evidence on a regular basis
• Meet on a regular basis with the VGLA team
• Content Area Teacher(s)
• Special Education Teacher(s)
• ParaProfessionals
• Student
• Parents
• Principal

17
Future Staff Development

• Fall Semester Events
• October 3Unpacking Elementary Grade Level SOLs
• October 12Unpacking Middle Grade Level SOLs
• DATE TBDMini Scoring Workshop
• November 28VGLA Sharing for Grades 3-5
• November 30VGLA Sharing for Grades 6-8
• Suggestions for Others

18
Future Staff Development

• Spring Semester Events
• February 13Unpacking Elementary Grade Level SOLs
• February 15Unpacking Middle Grade Level SOLS
• April 12VGLA Sharing for Grades 6-8
• April 17VGLA Sharing for Grades 3-5
• Suggestions for Others