When are students tested? 1
5th grade
8th grade
11th grade
Voluntary testing for all other grades
What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Writing - voluntary
Visual Arts - voluntary
What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Short written response
Extended written response
Performance tasks
How are test results used? 1
Student diagnosis
Student placement
Identification of students at risk
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation
School performance reporting
Student awards or recognition
What tests are used? 1
Norm-referenced testing (grades 5, 8, 11)
Performance assessment (grades 1 - 6) - voluntary
Direct writing (grades 1 - 12) - voluntary
Portfolio assessment (grades 1 - 12) - voluntary
Criterion-referenced testing (grades 1 - 12) - voluntary
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
Exemptions given to students whose IEP teams determine that tests are
not appropriate.
Exemptions given to students who cannot follow standardized testing
conditions.
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
Accommodations available as determined by IEP team.
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports combine ("aggregate") scores
of students with and without disabilities.
In the future, school, district, and statewide reports will both combine
("aggregate") and separate ("disaggregate") scores of students with and
without disabilities.
Footnotes:
1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.
2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.
3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all students be included in statewide assessments.
Utah State Office of Education
Services for At Risk Students
250 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-3204
801-538-7711
801-538-7991 Fax
www.usoe.k12.ut.us
Contact: Dr. Mae Taylor-Sweeten, Director, Special Education and At
Risk
taylor@usoe.k12.ut.us
Barbara Lawrence, State Assessment Director
Utah Parent Center on Disability
Utah Parent Center
2290 East 4500 S., Suite 110
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
801-272-1051
1-800-468-1160 in UT
801-272-8907 Fax
upc@inconnect.com
Contact: Helen Post
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