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 the student’s 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 2005-2006 school year. All schools with eligible Special Education and eligible Limited English Proficient 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 Limited English Proficient students, and an alternate assessment in mathematics at 9th grade for Special Education students, as required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
The training for implementation of the Alternate Portfolio Assessment System for 2005-2006 will be September 16, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for testing coordinators and/or teachers of Special Education students and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for teachers and/or testing 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 this school year.
Participants need to BRING the Administration Manual received by the district to the videoconference. Manuals may also be downloaded from the ADE website, http://arkedu.state.ar.us, by clicking on the ACTAAP logo, then clicking on Student Assessment from the menu on the left. Scroll down the page to find the link for the Alternate Portfolio System for the link to the Administration Manual for LEP or for Students with Disabilities.Training will also be provided for the grade 9 mathematics portfolio assessment for students with disabilities. Superintendents will receive a letter of invitation to the professional development for the LEA Special Education Supervisor and one grade nine special education math teacher to attend. Response is required to attend the training.
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 12, 2005, 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