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    ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT / PAAP

    • Linda Parkin
      Alternate Assessment Coordinator
      207-624-6782

Updated 4/10/08 -pb

PAAP Updates

The PAAP Task Bank is Currently Closed

New content for the 2008-2009 academic year, aligned to the 2007 Maine Learning Results, will be added as it becomes available, beginning in May, 2008.

 

PAAP Workshop Cancellation Policies

Storm Cancellations: Generally we will only cancel a workshop if the school district in which the workshop is held closes due to the weather (for example: for a workshop held in Portland, we will be watching to see if Portland Schools close). In rare instances, depending on the way a storm plays out, the decision to cancel a workshop might be made the afternoon before the scheduled session.

In the event of a cancellation, we make every effort to notify all contact people by e-mail or by telephone. In addition, a notice would be posted on the website, and notification of a new date would be circulated as soon as possible.

Registration Cancellations: MDOE must be notified of all registration cancellations at least seven day before the scheduled workshop.  School districts will be charged a $25.00 fee for each no-show.

 

 

Significant Changes in the 2008-2009 PAAP

All components of the 2008-2009 PAAP will be aligned to the 2007 revision of the Maine Learning Results.  Rubric Level 2 will now consist of Levels of Complexity aligned to a range of developmentally backed-down skills built from expectations for the end of grade 2 (LoC 1) through those expected of fifth graders in the 2007 Maine Learning Results Performance Indicators and activity descriptors (RL2, LoC 4). All Levels of Complexity descriptors are linked to the 2007 Maine Learning Results for grades Pre-K through high school.

The 2008-2009 PAAP Rubrics, reflecting the alignment to the 2007 Maine Learning Results, are now available for IEP Team planning for the 08-09 academic year.

 

 

The Maine Alternate Assessment Achievement Level Descriptors

The final versions of the PAAP Achievement Level Descriptors are now available for the use of Maine parents, teachers, and other educators. Maine content area Achievement Level Descriptors (ALD) outline the expectations for students participating in State level assessments. There are general descriptors as well as more specific descriptors focused on particular grade levels.

The Achievement Level Descriptors can be found on the Resources page of this website.

 

 

Username and Password Required for PAAP Task Bank

Beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year, the PAAP Task Bank is only accessible by entering a secure Username and Password. Due to the exclusive nature of materials contained in the Task Bank, and in an effort to provide a higher level of confidentiality to individuals taking the PAAP, we believe limiting access to such sensitive information is prudent.

Every school district in Maine is being provided with one unique Username and Password. This information is being sent to Special Education directors via USPS, with instructions to share it with the Special Education staff in their districts.

To access the PAAP Task Bank, select Task Bank on the navigation bar on the left side of this web page. A dialogue box will appear, asking for your Username and Password. Once that information has been correctly entered, click on OK, and you will be directed to the Task Bank.

The Task Bank is Currently Closed.

 

 

Changes in Reporting of PAAP Scores for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

From the beginning, the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) was designed to provide access to the State assessment system for students based on individual needs.  In training on how to identify the appropriate avenue for participation for a student, we indicated that the PAAP was designed for the use of the very few students in the state with the most significant disabilities, but we also indicated that we recognized the need to make a different format available for other students, including those who were classified as Limited English Proficient or who were unable to take the standard paper-and-pencil test because of issues related to physical disabilities or other characteristics.

We have, in the past, based scores on alternate standards only for those special education students working significantly below their grade levels. Others who participated in the PAAP because of its format, including Limited English Proficient students, have had scores reported based on their grade level standards.

Late in 2006 we received additional guidance from the United States Department of Education that requires us to change our approach to reporting PAAP scores for accountability under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). We must now classify some students who participate in the PAAP as non-standard test takers. Any student in that category will automatically be assigned a score of “Not Proficient” for reporting Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB. Non-standard test takers will include:

• Limited English Proficient students who participate in the PAAP, unless the student has also been identified with a significant cognitive disability under IDEA.
• Students who do a partial PAAP. Those students who participate in some content area sections of the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) or the Maine High School Assessment (SAT and Math A) through standard administration or administration with accommodations, and in other content area(s) through the PAAP.
• Students working at or close to their grade level placement.

Decisions must still be made based on what is best for a student, but those decisions need to be made with full knowledge of the consequences for school and district accountability. Some teams may choose to continue the use of the PAAP for non-standard test takers because they believe that participation through another avenue will be a frustrating experience for an individual student. In some cases teams may believe that if the student participates through standard administration or administration with accommodations the score would be “Does Not Meet Standards”, so there would be no advantage in having the student take the MEA/MHSA rather than the PAAP.

We regret that this guidance comes at a time when team meetings have been held and avenues of participation in State assessments identified. We recognize the inconveniences these changes will cause. If there is any support we can provide as you consider new decisions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

Linda Parkin and Kimberly Schroeter

Linda.parkin@maine.gov

Kimberly.schroeter@maine.gov

 

Note: The documents provided on this webpage are in PDF format. In order to access these materials, you will need the Adobe Reader program installed on your computer (we strongly recommend that you use either versions 7.0 or 8.1). Your District Technology Coordinator should be able to help you if you have any questions about using Adobe Reader. For further information, or to download Adobe Reader for free, click on the Adobe Reader icon below.

 

 

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