A Decision Framework for IEP Teams Related to Methods for Individual Student Participation in State Accountability Assessments

This paper focuses on issues most closely related to the participation methods. The paper discusses the learning and behavioral characteristics of students likely to be appropriate for each testing method. IEP teams also should consider whether the participation method has consequences for meeting graduation requirements. Because graduation requirements differ by state, this paper does not address implications of the various participation methods on graduation. State-level testing guidelines should specify the impact of each method on meeting graduation requirements. We begin with the premise that all students, with or without disabilities, should participate in the general assessment without accommodations unless the IEP team determines otherwise.

This resource is a part of the Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students With Disabilities (2004, archived)

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