The Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) requires that alternate assessments be used for eligible Limited English Proficient (LEP) students who cannot participate in the regular Benchmark assessment and for eligible students with disabilities for whom the Alternate Portfolio Assessment is appropriate under their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that an alternate assessment system for eligible Special Education students be in place for the 2004-2005 school year. All schools with eligible Special Education and eligible LEP students at grades 3 through 8 and 11 shall participate in the Alternate Portfolio Assessment this school year. There is also an alternate assessment for the End of Course Algebra and Geometry for LEP students, and an alternate assessment in mathematics at 9th grade for Special Education students, as required by NCLB.
The training for implementation of the Alternate Portfolio Assessment System will be September 9, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for teachers and/or testing testing coordinators and/or teachers of Special Education students coordinators and/or ESL coordinators of LEP students. The compressed video conferences will be broadcast at each of the sites listed on the attachment. Districts are required to send a representative to receive updated information for 2004-2005 school year.
Participants need to BRING the Administration Manual and the Teacher Handbook, received by the school, to the video conference. Manuals and handbooks may also be downloaded from the ADE website by clicking on the ACTAAP logo, then clicking on Student Assessment from the menu on the left. Scroll down the page until you find the links for the Administrative Manual for Arkansas Alternate Portfolio Assessment System and for the Teacher Handbooks for LEP or for IEP.
Please submit a registration form for each session (Special Education and LEP) for the district representative(s) attending each training session. Return the completed registration forms (attached) no later than September 6, 2004, to:
Charlotte Marvel
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 105-A
Little Rock, AR 72201-1071
Fax: 501-682-4886 or by email to cmarvel@arkedu.k12.ar.us