Eligibility for the Alternate Assessment
All IEPs for students with disabilities, regardless of the test they take (RICAS, SAT, NGSA, or DLM) must have their yearly goals aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for their enrolled grade level. The DLM assessments have Essential Elements (EEs) that provide examples for how to break down the CCSS for students and can be used for intermediate goals but not for their yearly goals. If you have questions about writing IEPs, please contact Carlin Danner, Office of Student, Community, and Academic Supports at carlin.danner@ride.ri.gov.
Training on Understanding and Using the Eligibility Criteria
Training for special education directors, IEP Team members, and special education teachers will be available in September, 2020 on understanding and using the eligibility criteria. Details will be posted on the Statewide Assessment Training webpage.
Eligibility Criteria for the Alternate Assessment
The 2020-21 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. The 2020-21 Guidance for Determining Eligibility for the Alternate Assessments, the IEP Team Eligibility Criteria Form and the Documentation of Evidence Form were posted on 6/15/2020.
Test Administration Training for Teachers
The test administration training for DLM is conducted through online training modules. Information on how and when to access these modules will be available here in the coming months.
Instructional PD Webinars
The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) professional development team will be providing four interactive webinars this fall to assist teachers with providing instruction to students that is aligned to the DLM Essential Elements in English language arts and mathematics.
- Each session requires participants to view two professional development modules prior to attending the webinar (links to the modules are included the PDFs below)
- Each of the 45-minute webinars listed below will begin with a 15-minute overview of the content followed by a 30-minute live question and answer session.
- Each webinar will be recorded and posted online for those who are unable to attend a live session.
- All webinars are free to attend and will be accessible via Skype for Business or telephone.
- No pre-registration is necessary so please make sure you add these opportunities to your calendar.
- Each presentation will be closed-captioned during the webinar.
- For the best viewing experience, please do not use Chromebooks or the Android app for Skype for Business.
- After viewing each accompanying module, teachers will receive a Certificate of Completion. Teachers should contact their district for information on using these certificates for fulfilling continuing education credits or other professional development requirements.
English Language Arts Webinars:
Mathematics Webinars:
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. The survey may be accessed by following this link: https://kansasedu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6DcxFBgLc5Btxc1
QUESTIONS: Any questions may be directed to atlas-aai@ku.edu