Visions for the Visions for the Future:Future:

Inclusive Inclusive AssessmentsAssessments

Jacqueline F. Kearns, Ed.D.

University of Kentucky

A world class inclusive A world class inclusive assessment system assessment system

would:would: recognize that students with disabilities including recognize that students with disabilities including those with significant cognitive disabilities benefit those with significant cognitive disabilities benefit from participation in the general curriculum based on from participation in the general curriculum based on the same goals and standards as their typical peers.the same goals and standards as their typical peers. Currently, 75% of students with SCD in AA-AAS read sight Currently, 75% of students with SCD in AA-AAS read sight

words and use a calculator for basic mathematical operations.words and use a calculator for basic mathematical operations. require require authenticauthentic demonstration of skills and demonstration of skills and

knowledge of all studentsknowledge of all students authentic, contextualized demonstrations are authentic, contextualized demonstrations are

essential for students with disabilities particularly essential for students with disabilities particularly for students with significant cognitive disabilities.for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

include structured processes that ensure all have the include structured processes that ensure all have the opportunity to show what they know. opportunity to show what they know.

incorporate training on curriculum and instruction incorporate training on curriculum and instruction so that assessment on the academic content is not so that assessment on the academic content is not the only time students have access to the content.the only time students have access to the content.

allow for formative evidence of instruction on the allow for formative evidence of instruction on the assessed content , the context of the instruction, assessed content , the context of the instruction, as well as summative demonstration of skills and as well as summative demonstration of skills and knowledge.knowledge.

provide summative information for accountability provide summative information for accountability purposes and purposes and

formative evidence would provide LEA and SEA formative evidence would provide LEA and SEA with needs assessment data to guide ongoing with needs assessment data to guide ongoing training and support, and inform teacher training and support, and inform teacher training/licensure processes.training/licensure processes.

OBSERVATION

INTERPRETATION

COGNITIONStudent PopulationAcademic contentTheory of Learning

Assessment SystemTest DevelopmentAdministration Scoring

ReportingAlignmentItem Analysis & DIF/BiasMeasurement errorScaling and Equating Standard Setting

VALIDITY EVALUATIONEmpirical evidence

Theory & logic (argument)Consequential features

The Assessment Triangle & Validity EvaluationMarion & Pellegrino (2006)

Why Knowing the Kids is Why Knowing the Kids is Important….Important….

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Kearns, J., Towles-Reeves, L., Kleinert, H., Kleinert, J., Klienchact-Thomas, M. (in press). Towles-Reeves, L., Kearns, J., Kleinert, H., Kleinert, J. (2009). Describing Characteristics of

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