Selecting Appropriate Students for the VGLA

Selecting Appropriate Students for the VGLA

Students with Disabilities

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2009-2010 Implementation Manual

You should check to make sure you are using the correct implementation manual for the new year, 2009-2010.

You should have received one with your VGLA notebook.

If you need a copy you can download it at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/home.shtml.

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Topics of Training

Selecting Appropriate Students for the VGLA Portfolio Assessments

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Assessment Options 1 and 2

The majority of student with disabilities are expected to participate in the SOL

assessments with or without accommodations.

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Selecting Appropriate Assessment Options for Students with Disabilities

If a student cannot access the SOL test(s)

in a content area,

even with accommodations,

the student may be

considered for the VGLA.

VGLA ?

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Typical Characteristics

Enrolled in grades 3 through 8

Has an IEP or 504 plan

Has a disability that results in an inability to demonstrate knowledge and skill on a multiple-choice test, even when accommodations are provided

Demonstrates work on SOL that is at grade level

VGLA Implementation Manual 2009 -2010, p. 6

Of a student with a disability recommended for the VGLA

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Selecting the appropriate

assessment options for students with disabilities is….

…always the responsibility of the student’s IEP team or 504 committee…

…and

made on a

test-by-test basis.

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Preparing for the IEP/504 Meeting

Inform parents (and other team members) about the VGLA,

Include:

General Overview information

Participation Criteria


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Preparing for the IEP/504 meeting

Determine how the student accesses SOL content and demonstrates skills and knowledge.

Select a specific content area

Gather class work and assessment samples using the multiple choice format and class work assessment samples and in other formats


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Reading Class Work Samples(Multiple Choice Format)

1. Multiple choice worksheet in which student reads passage and selects the cause-and-effect relationships from 4 answer options.

2. Worksheet in which student selects the conclusion to a story given 4 answer options

Reading Assessment Samples(Multiple Choice Format)

1. Unit test in multiple choice format on cause and effect relationships.

2. Multiple choice pop quiz on drawing conclusions.

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Reading Class Work Samples(Alternative Format)

1. Cause and effect graphic organizer created after reading a biography of a famous person.

2. An original conclusion written after reading a short story.

Reading Assessment Samples(Alternative Format)

1. Short answer unit test on cause and effect.

2. Power point presentation showing three different conclusions to a short story.

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Gather information from the educational record Evaluation reports

Eligibility minutes

Current IEP (Present Level of Performance)


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Become Familiar with Special Test Accommodations. (Ask the testing coordinator for the most updated version)

Review SOL test accommodations that have been used in the past and their impact.

Determine if all possible SOL test accommodations have been examined/considered.


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Secure a copy the SOL test blueprint for the specific course. The test blueprint indicates the SOL knowledge and skills that students who are participating in VGLA are expected to demonstrate. Blueprints are available at

www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/soltests/.


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During the IEP/504 Meeting

Review and discuss the VGLA participation criteria using the information gathering as the basis for discussion.

To qualify for the VGLA the student’s IEP/504 committee must answer YES to the following 3 questions for each content area considered.

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VGLA Participation Criteria

1. Does the student have a current IEP/504 plan or is one being developed?

2. Does the student demonstrate his/her individual achievement of the SOL content by means other than multiple-choice test format?

3. As a result of a disability, is the student unable to demonstrate his/her individual achievement on the SOL test for the assigned course and grade level using available accommodations and/or formats?


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1. Does the student have a current IEP/504 plan or is one being developed?

The IEP/504 team’s response to this question can be determined by a review of: Education records

including IEP or 504 Plan

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2. Does the student demonstrate his/her individual achievement of the SOL content by means other than multiple-choice test format?

The IEP/504 team’s response to this question can be determined by a review of: Multiple-choice class work

samples Multiple-choice

assessments Class work sample in

other formats Assessments in other

formats

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3. As a result of a disability, is the student unable to demonstrate his/her individual achievement on the SOL test for the assigned course and grade level using available accommodations and/or formats?

The IEP/504 team’s response to this question can be determined by a review: Accommodations used on

previous SOL test(s)

Impact on performance of accommodations used on previous SOL test(s)

Review list of available accommodations that have not be considered or used.

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Documenting Participation

IEP team decisions must be documented in the student’s IEP.

504 team decisions must be documented in the student’s 504 plan.

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Remember!

VGLA participation must be made by a thoughtful and well-prepared IEP/504 team. Unilateral decisions outside of the IEP/504 team process are inappropriate.

The IEP/504 team must use the VGLA participation criteria and student data (i.e. class work samples, assessment samples, educational records, accommodation history).

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Recommendations!

IEP teams should inform the school testing coordinator of their decision, as soon as possible during the current school year; or if at all possible,

IEP teams should consider making the decision in the spring of the previous year, to allow students ample time to create and collect evidence from the first day of school.

Hardships are placed on students and teachers if the decision to participate in the VGLA assessment is made late in the school year.

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Questions

Nelson County Public Schools(434) 263-7100

Abby ThompsonDirector of Assessment NCPS

Joe BollingSupervisor of Student Services NCPS

Selecting Appropriate Students for the VGLA

Documents

Transcript of Selecting Appropriate Students for the VGLA