The Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) requires that alternate assessments be used 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 2006-2007 school year. All schools with eligible Special Education students in grades 3 through 8, and grade 11 shall participate in the Alternate Portfolio Assessment this school year. There is also an alternate assessment in mathematics at grade 9 for Special Education students, as required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
The training for implementation of the Alternate Portfolio Assessment System for 2006-2007 will be September 26, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for testing coordinators and/or teachers of Special Education 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 Arkansas Department of Education website, http://arkansased.gov by clicking on the Testing Logo, then clicking ACTAAP, which is located on the left menu, and then clicking on Student Assessment, which is located on the left menu. Scroll down the page to locate the Alternate Portfolio System and the link to the Administration Manual for Students with Disabilities.
Please submit a registration form for each district representative(s) attending the training session. Return the completed registration forms attached no later than September 15, 2006, to:
Charlotte Marvel
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 107-A
Little Rock, AR 72201-1071
Fax: 501-682-4886
Email: charlotte.marvel@arkansas.gov