The Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) requires that alternate assessments be administered for Limited English Proficient (LEP) students who cannot participate in the regular Benchmark assessment, as determined by the Language Proficiency Assessment committee, and students with disabilities whose IEP team has determined to be eligible for the alternate assessment. The Title I, Improving America’s Schools Act authorizes that all students be appropriately assessed including students with limited English proficiency. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that an alternate assessment system for eligible special education students be in place for the 2002-2003 school year. All schools with eligible special education students and eligible Limited English Proficient students at grades 4, 6, 8, and 11 shall participate in the Alternate Portfolio Assessment this school year.
The training for implementation of the Alternate Portfolio Assessment System will be on Thursday, September 26, 2002, for testing coordinators, special education personnel, teachers of English as a Second Language and regular classroom teachers who teach either group of students who require the alternate assessment.
The meeting will be broadcast by video conference from the Arkansas Department of Education in Little Rock to the educational cooperatives and designated schools across the state. Registrants should report to the meeting site at least 30 minutes early. Registrants should bring the new administration manual that has been delivered to districts to the meeting. Changes in the 2001-2002 manual and forms will be presented during the video conference.
The times of the broadcast are as follows:
1. Testing Coordinators: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
2. Special Education personnel: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
3. English as a Second Language personnel: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Each district should submit the attached registration form that list all participants attending each session. Return the completed registration form (attached) no later than September 18, 2002, to:
Charlotte Marvel
#4 Capitol Mall, Room 105-A
Little Rock, AR 72201-1071
Fax: 501-682-4886