Eligibility for the Alternate Assessment
All IEPs for students who are eligible for the alternate assessments must have their IEP goals aligned to the Essential Elements. Each Essential Element has a corresponding mini-map. These mini-maps further break down the Essential Element into smaller skills that may be helpful in goal development.
Eligibility Criteria for the Alternate Assessment
Updated 10.25.2022: The Guidance for Determining Eligibility for the Alternate Assessments is for all members of a student’s IEP Team to help them determine if a student meets the three eligibility criteria. The Guidance document contains the form that IEP Team members must read and include with the student’s IEP confirming that the student meets all eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for the ACCESS for ELLs Kindergarten Field Test
Updated 10.25.2022: Use the following documents and guidance to determine if a kindergarten student should participate in the ACCESS for ELLs Kindergarten Field Test.
Instructional Professional Development Modules
DLM has developed online, self-paced modules that cover a range of topics such as:
- writing IEPs aligned to the Essential Elements;
- understanding the Essential Elements;
- understanding and teaching to the Common Core State Standards through the Essential Elements for ELA and mathematics;
- understanding and teaching to the Next Generation Science Standards through the Essential Elements for science;
Access the modules at https://www.dlmpd.com/
Certificates of Completion: At the end of each module, teachers will receive a certificate of completion.Teachers should contact their district for information about using these certificates for fulfilling continuing education or other certification credits or professional development requirements.
DLM Teacher Committees
Dynamic Learning Maps, through the Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS) center, is streamlining how it reaches out for educators to participate in various alternate assessment and instructional support development opportunities. Below are the details and a link to complete the survey.
WHO: Special educators who teach students taking the alternate assessment in public and outplacement schools, TVIs and other specialists, content area teachers (ELA, mathematics, and science), special education directors, etc.
WHAT: The ATLAS center offers many opportunities to participate in events such as testlet development, testlet review, and score validation of writing testlets. There are a range of participation options, including paid work, that can help develop professional skill sets and in some cases provide networking opportunities with other teachers from other DLM states.
WHEN: This depends on the project as each project will have separate timelines.
WHERE: Depending on the project, some require in-person meetings in Kansas City, KS and some can be accomplished remotely.
HOW: Individuals who are interested in participating in future ATLAS events should complete the short survey linked below. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Since the information provided through the survey will be used as a pool to draw potential participants for upcoming events, the information may be used multiple times. However, please note that ATLAS staff may ask participants to complete additional surveys depending upon event needs. Project staff will contact volunteers to participate if their preferences and qualifications match the needs of a particular event. No experience is necessary in order for selection as a participant. Once ATLAS staff have identified participants, we will reach out to those individuals with more detailed information and verify that those selected are able to participate. Register here.
QUESTIONS: Any questions may be directed to atlas-aai@ku.edu