Alternate Assessments in Reading and Math: Development and Validation for Students with Significant Disabilities

Abstract

Given the mandates of IDEA to include students with disabilities in large-scale assessments, most states have either adopted alternate standards or developed alternate assessments. In either case, it is difficult to understand the students' performance relative to the primary assessment program. And in both cases, the technical adequacy is generally assumed rather than specifically documented. In this study, we developed a series of standardized tasks that can be considered as part of the same construct as operationalized in the primary large-scale assessment program. We then analyzed student performance to ascertain reliability and initial validity. In reading and math, teachers were trained to administer the tasks and judge performance, providing a system with instructional and evaluative uses. The results support the technical adequacy of the alternate assessment.