Using Alternative Assessment For Students With Severe Disabilities: Alignment With Best Practices

Abstract

This paper presents a review of "best practice standards" relative to curricular design and instruction for students with moderate retardation and severe disabilities. Suggestions about the value, to students and practitioners, of using assessment practices that are closely aligned to best practice assumptions are discussed. The potential benefits of alternative assessment practices such as portfolios and authentic assessment for students with moderate retardation and severe disabilities are described. Finally, strategies focused on alternative assessment processes that can link best practice assumptions and can redirect curriculum and instruction through individualized evaluation criteria are presented. The proposed process for authentic assessment incorporates a portfolio framework that reflects an evolving support for values-driven, quality of life approach to programming for students with moderate and severe disabilities.