Characteristics and Challenges of the Lowest-Performing Students on Alternate Assessments

• In Event: 33.080 - Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: 33.080-8 - Special Education Research SIG: Assessment, Collaboration, and Educational Placement

Abstract

Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS) are an important component of statewide assessment systems. However, limited information is available about the academic needs of the student population targeted by these assessments. Specifically, for the subset of students at presymbolic levels of communication, the specific teacher and student behaviors and challenges, as well as the appropriateness of the curriculum, are not known. Using a sample of students who scored at the lowest proficiency level in multiple subject areas across three consecutive test administrations, we examined a) the demographic characteristics of the examinees, and b) the student and teacher behaviors, that may interfere, limit, or help to explain test performance, during the fourth administration of the assessment.

Authors

• Mary A. Hansen, Robert Morris University

• Steven R. Lyon, University of Pittsburgh

• Jesse Smith, University of Pittsburgh

• Molly Matsik, University of Pittsburgh