IOD Collaborates with NH Department of Education to Revise Alternate Assessment

In 1998, New Hampshire was one of only a handful of states in the country creating a statewide alternate assessment to measure access to the general curriculum and achievement in reading, writing, math, and science for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Since that time, much has changed surrounding alternate assessments. First, federal regulations are clearer about the need for valid and reliable assessment design. Second, strides have been made in the application of instructional technology and augmentative communication to help students better show what they know. And third, higher expectations are being held regarding students' ability to learn the general education curriculum.

Because of the knowledge gained and progress made toward bettering alternate assessment systems as a whole over the past ten years, NH's Alternate Assessment is in need of review and revision.

In view of this, the Institute on Disability is collaborating with the NH Department of Education to improve the NH Statewide Assessment System (particularly in the area of the NH Alternate Assessment) as part of the multi-year project, Gaining Access to What Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Know. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Gaining Access project will develop the following:

• An expanded, user-friendly map of learning expectations for students with significant cognitive disabilities at each grade level
• New charting tools for documenting student progress in learning academic content
• A comprehensive professional development and technical assistance process in the area of alternate assessment, and
• Recommendations to revise the Alternate Assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Three key research and development teams for the Gaining Access project will be comprised of experts from various national centers and universities, as well as NH expert educators, administrators, and parents/guardians of students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The proposed outcomes of the Gaining Access project will benefit not only the approximately 1,200 students participating in the NH Alternate Assessment, but all of New Hampshire’s students. "New Hampshire is a national leader in best practices for educating students with disabilities," said Michael McSheehan, Gaining Access Project Coordinator. "With this project, we are developing what we hope will be the standard for the next generation of alternate assessments. Not only will this project address current federal requirements and incorporate the knowledge we’ve gained, it will allow us to move toward tailoring assessments to match individual students' needs and document their progress in the general curriculum. We anticipate that this will improve access to and progress in academic learning for ALL students throughout New Hampshire."

For more information on the Gaining Access project or to participate in project activities, visit the Gaining Access webpage at www.iod.unh.edu.