[esd-dir] OSL&P - Numbered Memorandum Re: Alternate Standards Adoption

[ZERBE Debra]

SENT ON BEHALF OF:

Nancy Latini 
Associate Superintendent 
Office of Special Education 

___________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM NO. 031-2003-04 
April 20, 2004

TO: ESD and District Superintendents, School Principals, District
Testing
    Coordinators, Curriculum Directors, Special Education Directors 

RE: Alternate Standards were Adopted by the State Board of Education on
    March 18, 2004 for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Federal Regulations: 
This is an update to a January 14, 2004 numbered memorandum. The initial
memorandum announced final regulations under the No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act. The regulations allow states to establish alternate
achievement standards for students with significant cognitive
impairments. In calculating Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), the state
may count up to 1% of the students tested as "meeting" state standards
based on these alternate standards.

Alternate Standards:
Alternate standards were developed by a panel on December 8 and 9, 2003
and were presented to the State Board of Education on March 18, 2004.
The Board adopted the standards at the meeting. The alternate standards
apply to Oregon's Extended Assessments. The alternate standards will
give students with significant cognitive disabilities the opportunity to
"meet" or "exceed" the alternate standards by taking Extended
Assessments.

What should districts do?
Districts should continue to make individual student decisions through
the Individual Education Program (IEP) team. The team should continue to
base their decisions on the needs of the individual student. In
accountability reporting, Oregon may count up to 1% of assessments as
"meeting" or "exceeding" standards based on these alternate standards.
Districts will have the opportunity to review assessment records used in
calculating Adequate Year Progress through post assessment data
management processes.

Questions regarding AYP may be directed to Jon Bridges
mailto:jon.bridges at state.or.us or (503) 378-3600, Ext. 2287. Questions
about Alternate Standards may be directed to Pat Almond
mailto:pat.almond at state.or.us or (503) 378-3600, Ext. 2267. 


William P. Auty                                       Nancy Latini
Assistant Superintendent                              Assistant
Superintendent
Systems Accountability & Policy Development           Student Learning &
Partnerships




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