Assessments are an integral part of the instructional cycle and fulfill several purposes for educators, students, parents, policy makers, and community members. Assessments administered at the state, district/charter, and school levels combine to form a system of assessment with the goal of supporting student growth.
Delaware offers alternate assessments in English language arts (ELA)/literacy, mathematics, science and social studies for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. These assessments are designed to assess what students with disabilities know and can do based on the Delaware state standards. Delaware’s alternate assessments serve about 1 percent of the Delaware testing population. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires any SEA to obtain a waiver request when the total number of students participating in alternate assessments exceeds 1 percent. More information on the 1 percent threshold. (DDOE OoA, 2020)
ACCESS has partnered with the DDOE Office of Assessment to provide the educators with professional development opportunities that help to ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are provided quality instruction and participate in the appropriate assessment.