There have been many questions about the mathematics assessment of 9th grade students with disabilities. These guidelines should be strictly followed to avoid testing impropriety.
1. There is not a requirement to hold a special IEP conference for the Arkansas Alternate Portfolio Assessment for 9th grade mathematics assessment. This portfolio meets No Child Left Behind requirements for high school mathematics assessment.
2. The alternate assessment for mathematics for 9th grade special education students is only for special education students who are NOT enrolled in Algebra I (or EQUIVALENT courses) or Geometry.
3. Students with disabilities cannot be exempt from state mathematics assessment in the 9th grade by changing the name of a mathematics course to Algebra (or an equivalent course) or Geometry.
4. The only two-year Algebra I or Geometry courses which may be offered in Arkansas schools must have been approved by Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). Each school should have a letter of approval on file. All ADE-approved two-year Algebra I and Geometry courses have a curriculum which covers the Algebra I Goals and Geometry Goals and requires that students in such a course of study be administered the End-of-Course Examination within the two-year sequence of each course, without exception. High school credit is given for both courses of Integrated Algebra A and Integrated Algebra B after completion of Integrated Algebra B. No credit is given for Integrated Algebra A unless Integrated Algebra B is also completed.
5. The 9th grade alternate mathematics portfolio will have entries that reflect the work that can be done by the student. Most student portfolios will consist of entries that are paper documentation. Very few students will need videotapes, audiotapes, or photographs to document the student performance. All portfolios must include 2 entries for each of the 5 mathematics strands in the 9-12 frameworks.
6. The 9th grade alternate mathematics portfolio does not contain any literacy entries.
7. All 11th grade students with disabilities must take the End-of-Course Literacy Examination with or without accommodations or participate in the literacy alternate portfolio assessment based upon the decision of their IEP committee. This assessment is not based on enrollment in an 11th grade English course.
8. Answers to further concerns can be found in the Administration Manual for 9th grade Alternate Mathematics Portfolio for Students with Disabilities.