Use of Assessments with ISD Students

Describe the assessment program at ISD.

The purpose of the assessment program at ISD is to initially determine the baseline of the student academic performance level and to use subsequent assessment to gauge improvement or progress. The results of all assessments of student achievement will be used for the purposes of reporting student progress (both individual and group) and planning the educational program. In order to provide meaningful information on student achievement, a variety of assessments will be used at all levels, primary through secondary.

When standardized assessments are given, reports will be distributed to teachers for use in planning. Teacher teams (grade level, department, etc.) will meet to review these reports and revise their instruction accordingly. The goal is continuous improvement in achievement as measured by the following assessments:

• Indiana State Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP+)
• Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE)
• Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR)
• Standard Achievement Test for the Hearing Impaired (SATHI)
• American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

• Grade Level Standards-Based Assessments
• Classroom Assessments (Paper and Pencil Tests, Projects, Presentations, and Writing Assignments)
• Writing Assessments

Various legislative acts require that each child participate in an assessment program. Legislative acts include:

• No Child Left Behind
• Public Law 221
• Article 7 of IDEA

The benefits of assessing progress made by the students include the following:

• Measure overall academic progress of students
• To measure students' readiness for postsecondary experiences
• To identify students who may need remediation
• To diagnose individual student needs

• Assess strengths and weaknesses of school performance
• Assess effects of local educational program and determine need for new or revised educational programs
• Determine overall curriculum development and revision activities
• Compare achievement of students in Indiana to students on a national basis
• Determine training and staff development activities

State assessments include:

• Indiana State Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP+) in English/language arts and Mathematics for students in Grades 3 through 9.
• Indiana State Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP+) in Science for students in Grades 5.
• Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) for Grade 10.
• Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR) for Grades 3, 6, 8 and 10.

Decisions regarding assessment of ISD students are made individually. Such individual decisions are made by the Case Conference Committee in accordance to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Indiana's Article 7 of IDEA.

• Initially, students will participate in the state assessment program, Indiana Statewide Testing of Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+), unless the Case Conference Committee determines that it would not be appropriate.
• If the student's Case Conference Committee determines ISTEP+ would not be appropriate, the only state accepted alternate assessment is the Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR).

Are there accommodations provided for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students when students are taking the state assessment (ISTEP+)?

Yes. Information and guidance regarding ISTEP+ testing accommodation can be found in the ISTEP+ Program Manual. For 2004-05, this guidance can be found in Appendix G at this website address:

• http://www.doe.state.in.us/istep/2004/pdf/progman2004.pdf

"Students provided extended testing time for each test session (e.g. 50% more time, double time)."

When students do not pass the GQE, are there other options for satisfying the GQE requirement?

There are three ways students at the Indiana School for the Deaf can earn a diploma. They are as follows:

1. The student has passed both (English/language arts and Mathematics) sections of the Grade 10 Indiana Statewide Testing of Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) and completed all ISD requirements for graduation.
2. The student has met the Core 40 requirements and has a grade of C or above in each class.
3. The student qualifies for a waiver.

What criteria do ISD use to determine if a student qualifies for a diploma waiver?

The student's Case Conference Committee will review the following to determine if the student fulfills the graduation requirement:

• Parent/guardian/adult student sends a signed waiver review request form to the High School Supervising Teacher.
• Student's Teacher of Record collects student portfolio data documenting:
  • Achievement of 9th grade Academic Standards in English/language arts and/or mathematics in classroom work;
  • The attainment of the Advanced I level on the Stanford Achievement Test for the Hearing Impaired (SATHI).
• Ninety-five percent (95%) attendance rate to the extent required by the IEP, with excused absences not counting against the student's attendance.
• At least a C or better (2.0 GPA or higher) average in credits required for graduation.
• Completes remediation opportunities as determined by the student's IEP.
• Satisfies all state and local graduation requirements.
• Agreement of the school Principal and the Waiver Committee.

When students do not satisfy the GQE requirement, what award do students get at graduation?

Students are awarded either a Certificate of Completion or a Certificate of Attendance.

• Certificate of Completion: Presented to students who have not passed one or both sections of ISTEP+, who have lower than C grades in the Core 40 required classes, or have passed the 38 required credit classes, but have not shown 9th grade equivalency.
• Certificate of Attendance: Presented to students who have not passed all of the 38 required credit courses.

What ISD programs are offered to students that can facilitate improvement on ISTEP+?

ISD examines the overall academic progress of students and identifies programs that facilitate improvement of the learning of English/language arts and mathematics as defined by the Indiana Academic Standards. Programs offered include any or all of the following:

• Two-hour blocks for English/language arts and for mathematics
• Summer School with ISTEP focus
• Extended School Year to prevent regression
• 5th Year High School option that facilitates satisfying the diploma requirement

What ISD services are offered to students that can facilitate improvement on ISTEP+?

Assessments provide ISD the opportunity o identify students who may need remediation and to diagnose individual student needs. This way, ISD can provide services in addition to the programs offered by ISD. Services may include:

• After-school tutoring
• ISTEP Prep Sessions after school
• ISTEP Practice Tests
• Summer enrichment discs and packets

How are ISD students waived from ISTEP+? Is there an alternative assessment?

Decisions regarding assessing ISD students are made individually. Such individual decisions are made by the Case Conference Committee in accordance to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Indiana's Article 7 of IDEA. If the Case Conference Committee determines that ISTEP+ would not be appropriate, the only state accepted alternate assessment is the Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR).

What is the purpose of ISTAR? How is it used at ISD?

The primary function of ISTAR is to measure the progress of students who are unable to participate in ISTEP+. Teachers document progress using a rubric system indicating level and/or progress made within the Indiana Academic Standards in English/language arts and Mathematics. The rubric system is also used for functional achievement. Information and description of the ISTAR program can be found at the following website address:

www.istar.doe.state.in.us

What criteria does the Case Conference Committee use to determine participation in ISTAR?

If the Case Conference Committee determines that a student will be assessed using ISTAR, the individualized education program (IEP) must include information and documentation of each of the following 3 criteria:

1. Evidence of a Significant Cognitive Disability: There is empirical evidence (e.g. formal testing, M-team evaluation, etc) of a significant cognitive disability that prevents the acquisition of Indiana's Academic Standards necessary to attain a high school diploma.
2. Intensity of Instruction: The student is unable to acquire, maintain, generalize, and apply academic skills across environments even with extensive/intensive, pervasive, frequent, and individualized instruction in multiple settings.
3. Curricular Outcomes: The goals and objectives listed in the student's IEP focus on progress with functional achievement indicators, and the student's present level of educational performance significantly impedes participation and completion of the general education curriculum even with significant program modifications.

Are there other criteria that can be used to determine participation in the ISTAR?

The Case Conference Committee cannot make determination of ISTAR participation for factors such as:

• Excessive or extensive absences.
• Social, cultural or economic differences.
• Mere existence of an IEP or identification in a specific disability category.
• A specific special education placement or service.
• Emotional, behavioral or physical challenges.
• Anticipated scores on ISTEP+.
• Concern for AYP calculations.

Can ISTAR be used for diploma-track students?

Yes. Since this alternate reporting system is relatively new, ISD is exploring the use of ISTAR for the following reasons:

• ISTAR is a good tool to measure progress of students made on academic standards in English/language arts and mathematics.
• ISTAR could become an excellent tool to document achievement of academic standards for use in graduation waiver process.
• ISTAR can provide excellent assessment data for curriculum alignment, instructional planning and assessment.

Can ISD students participating in the ISTAR program satisfy the GQE?

At this time, no. There are three ways students at the Indiana School for the Deaf can earn a diploma. They are as follows:

• The student has passed both (English/language arts and Mathematics) sections of the Grade 10 Indiana Statewide Testing of Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) and completed all ISD requirements for graduation.
• The student has met the Core 40 requirements and has a grade of C or above in each class.
• The student qualifies for a waiver. The student's Case Conference Committee will review the following to determine if the student fulfills the graduation requirement:
  • Parent/guardian/adult student sends a signed waiver review request form to the High School Supervising Teacher.
  • Student's Teacher of Record collects student portfolio data documenting:
    • Achievement of 9th grade Academic Standards in English/language arts and/or mathematics in classroom work;
    • The attainment of the Advanced I level on the Stanford Achievement Test for the Hearing Impaired (SATHI).
  • Ninety-five percent (95%) attendance rate to the extent required by the IEP, with excused absences not counting against the student's attendance.
  • At least a C or better (2.0 GPA or higher) average in credits required for graduation.
  • Completes remediation opportunities as determined by the student's IEP.
  • Satisfies all state and local graduation requirements.
  • Agreement of the school Principal and the Waiver Committee.

  Are there other assessments used at ISD that are appropriate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students?

  Yes. The Stanford Achievement Test, 9th Edition is an achievement test used by ISD on an annual basis. While the test is known as Stanford 9, the test is known in the ISD community as SATHI.

  What does SATHI measure?

  SATHI is designed to measure achievement of curriculum content taught in grades 1-9. Curriculum content includes English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and environment. Study skills and word study skills can also be included. Stanford 9 is available at 8 difficulty levels, which measure content that is considered appropriate for students in specific grades in school.

  How is SATHI used at ISD?

  SATHI is used for various reasons at ISD. Major reasons include:

  • Measuring progress in various areas of the curriculum including English/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
  • Planning for appropriate placement in English/language arts and mathematics classes.
  • Determining if results can be used to provide diploma waiver for seniors.

  Can ISD college-bound students take the ACT or SAT?

  Yes. As with most colleges, Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for Technology at Rochester Institute of Technology have required applicants to take the American College Testing (ACT). The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is accepted as an option.

  ISD was approved as a private testing site for both the ACT and the SAT. Private means that this site will be open to only Deaf or hard of hearing students (15 seats per test date).

  Students have been taking the ACT on site, at ISD, since 2001-02. Taking the ACT or SAT on site allows students to access information from the testing administrator directly. In previous years, ISD students had taken the ACT or SAT in public schools through the use of interpreting services.