6J - State- and District-Wide Assessments October 2012

The Supplementary Aids and Services section of the IEP, under the heading “Participation in Mandated District and State Testing” documents the IEP Team decision-making concerning how the child shall participate in mandated state- and district-wide assessments.  (6.31.2.11(E) NMAC)

The IEP Team shall not decide whether a child with a disability will participate in a state- or district-wide assessment, but how the child will participate.  All students are required to be included in state and district-wide assessments.

A child with a disability in New Mexico may participate in statewide assessments as follows:

• In the appropriate general assessment in the same manner as their nondisabled peers; this may include the use of adaptations that are deemed appropriate for all students by the PED;
• In the appropriate general assessment with appropriate accommodations that are allowable by the assessment directions and standards in administration if necessary; Albuquerque Public Schools shall use the current guidance from the PED about accommodations as specified in the student’s IEP; or
• In alternate assessments for the small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities for whom alternate assessments are appropriate under the PED’s established participation criteria.

(6.31.2.11(E) NMAC)

The IEP shall include a statement of any individual appropriate accommodations that are allowable by the assessment directions and standards that are necessary to measure the academic achievement and functional performance of the child on state- and district-wide assessments.  (34 C.F.R. §300.320(a)(6)(i))

If the IEP Team determines that the child will take an alternate assessment instead of a particular regular state- or district-wide assessment of student achievement, the IEP Team shall include a statement of why:

• The child cannot participate in the regular assessment; and
• The particular alternate assessment selected is appropriate for the child.

(34 C.F.R. §300.320(a)(6)(ii))

For students with significant cognitive disabilities for whom alternate assessments are appropriate under the PED’s established participation criteria, the IEP Team shall consider and document that the student may be eligible for participation in an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards.  (6.31.2.11(E) NMAC)

The provision of state guidelines is required by the IDEA.  20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(16).  The New Mexico rules require school districts to use the current guidance from the department about accommodations as specified in the student’s IEP.  (6.31.2.11(E)(2) NMAC)

See New Mexico Public Education Department Special Education Programs:  Assessing Students with Disabilities for state criteria and guidance including checklists.

Administrative Position: Chief Academic Officer

Department Director: Executive Director of Special Education

References

Legal Cross Ref.:

• 34 C.F.R. §300.320
• 6.31.2.11 NMAC
• New Mexico Public Education Department Special Education Programs:  Assessing Students with Disabilities

Board Policy Cross Ref.:

• I.11 Special Education

Procedural Directive Cross Ref.:

• Special Education – Supplementary Aids and Services

Forms:

• IEP – Supplementary Aids and Services section (contact Special Education)
• https://tienet.Albuquerque Public Schools.edu (for district employees)

NSBA/NEPN Classification: IHBA

Introduced: April 1, 2011
Reviewed: April 12, 2011
Adopted: April 22, 2011
Reviewed: October 12, 2012
Revised: October 12, 2012

This page was last updated on: April 27, 2011.