TAKS-Alt TAKS-Alt

ReportingReportingInformation Information for Parentsfor Parents

Copyright © 2007, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this work is prohibited without express written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

What is the Texas Assessment of What is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills – Alternate Knowledge and Skills – Alternate

(TAKS-Alt)?(TAKS-Alt)?

An alternate assessment to TAKS for students An alternate assessment to TAKS for students with significant cognitive disabilitieswith significant cognitive disabilities

An assessment based on the TEKS curriculum An assessment based on the TEKS curriculum that is linked to grade-level student expectations that is linked to grade-level student expectations through prerequisite skillsthrough prerequisite skills

An observation of student performance on An observation of student performance on teacher-created instructional activities – teacher-created instructional activities – notnot a a traditional paper-and-pencil testtraditional paper-and-pencil test

TAKS-Alt is available for:TAKS-Alt is available for:

Mathematics for Students Enrolled in Grades Mathematics for Students Enrolled in Grades 3-113-11

Reading for Students Enrolled in Grades 3-9Reading for Students Enrolled in Grades 3-9 Writing for Students Enrolled in Grades 4 and 7Writing for Students Enrolled in Grades 4 and 7 English Language Arts (ELA) for Students English Language Arts (ELA) for Students

Enrolled in Grade 10 and 11Enrolled in Grade 10 and 11 Science for Students Enrolled in Grades 5, 8, Science for Students Enrolled in Grades 5, 8,

10, and 1110, and 11 Social Studies for Students Enrolled in Grades Social Studies for Students Enrolled in Grades

8, 10, and 118, 10, and 11

Why TAKS-Alt?Why TAKS-Alt? Federally mandated by the Federally mandated by the

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (IDEA) and and

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)

ALL students must have access to grade-level curriculum; in Texas this is the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum.

ALL students served by special education must be included in the state assessment program, with appropriate accommodations; in Texas this is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) – of which TAKS-Alt is a part.

There are There are

NONO

exemptions!exemptions!

As required by federal law –As required by federal law –

ALL means ALL

What’s the difference between What’s the difference between TAKS and TEKS?TAKS and TEKS?

TAKS = assessmentTAKS = assessment TEKS = curriculumTEKS = curriculum All TAKS tests, including TAKS-Alt, are All TAKS tests, including TAKS-Alt, are

divided into test objectives.divided into test objectives. Objectives are “umbrella statements” that Objectives are “umbrella statements” that

serve as headings under which the TEKS serve as headings under which the TEKS knowledge and skills statements and knowledge and skills statements and student expectations are grouped.student expectations are grouped.

Here’s an example from Here’s an example from 33rdrd grade reading: grade reading:

TAKS Objective 1: The student will demonstrate a basic

understanding of culturally diverse written texts.

TEKS Knowledge and Skills Statement (3.5) Reading/word identification. The student uses a variety of word identification strategies. The student is expected to (D) use root words and other structural cues such as prefixes, suffixes, and derivational endings to recognize words; and

(E) use knowledge of word order (syntax) and context to support word identification and confirm word meaning.

This is what is tested on TAKS as well as TAKS-Alt.

This is specifically what is taught from the curriculum and what your child is required by law to have access to.

TAKS-Alt summarizes the Knowledge TAKS-Alt summarizes the Knowledge and Skills Statement and student and Skills Statement and student

expectations into anexpectations into an essence essence statement.statement.

A student should eitherA student should either

Your child will either directly access the essence statement through grade-level student expectations

access the curriculum through a prerequisite skill.

OR

If your child is able to directly access one of the If your child is able to directly access one of the grade-level student expectations such as the grade-level student expectations such as the

ones in the box below, then. . .ones in the box below, then. . .

no prerequisite skill is chosen and the following is recorded in the prerequisite field:

N/A The student will directly access the essence statement through grade-level student expectations.

The teacher will then create an activity to address the essence statement.

Students taking TAKS-Alt willStudents taking TAKS-Alt will most likelymost likely need need to access the curriculum through a prerequisite to access the curriculum through a prerequisite

skill. If so, then the teacher will. . .skill. If so, then the teacher will. . .

target an appropriate prerequisite skill and develop an activity to address it. The prerequisite skill will be recorded in the prerequisite field.

So, what does a TAKS-Alt So, what does a TAKS-Alt activity look like?activity look like?

So, what does a TAKS-Alt activity look like?

NOTE:

Activities should include all needed Activities should include all needed supportssupports

Activities should include ALL needed supports.

What are predetermined criteria?What are predetermined criteria?

Academic behaviors that the teacher will Academic behaviors that the teacher will observe during an activity to determine observe during an activity to determine whether your child is successfulwhether your child is successful

Must be 3 per instructional activityMust be 3 per instructional activity Must be observable and measurable Must be observable and measurable Must be developed Must be developed prior prior to the observationto the observation

Predetermined CriteriaPredetermined Criteria

These are the observable actions Sam must perform in the previous activity.

These make the actions measurable.

How is TAKS-Alt scored?How is TAKS-Alt scored?

Teachers record observation notes about the student’s performance on the predetermined criteria

THEN

score student performance using the TAKS-Alt rubric.

TAKS-Alt RubricTAKS-Alt Rubric

Demonstration of Skill is one dimension on the rubric. Your child will be scored from 1 to 3 based on the number of predetermined criteria completed.

Level of Support is another dimension on the rubric. Your child will be scored from 1 to 3 based on the type of additional support needed to complete the predetermined criteria.

Generalization of SkillGeneralization of Skill Generalization is an additional dimension of the rubric. Generalization is an additional dimension of the rubric.

If your child earns a score withIf your child earns a score with any combination of any combination of Demonstrated and/or DevelopingDemonstrated and/or Developing,, then a generalization then a generalization opportunityopportunity must be provided.must be provided.

Generalization of SkillGeneralization of Skill

Must occur in a different context such as in Must occur in a different context such as in a new location, with a different person, or a new location, with a different person, or with different materialswith different materials

Must be observed for at least one of the Must be observed for at least one of the predetermined criteriapredetermined criteria

Must be performed at the same level as in Must be performed at the same level as in the primary observationthe primary observation

Must be at or above the same level of Must be at or above the same level of supportsupport

Teachers document successful generalization and give the student an additional score point on the activity.

Generalization of SkillGeneralization of Skill

How long does How long does the assessment take?the assessment take?

TAKS-Alt began on Oct. 1 and ends on TAKS-Alt began on Oct. 1 and ends on April 18.April 18.

Your child is required to complete 6 Your child is required to complete 6 essence statements (or instructional essence statements (or instructional activities) per grade and subject.activities) per grade and subject.

Your child should not even know he or she Your child should not even know he or she is being assessed.is being assessed.

How will I know how my child How will I know how my child performed on TAKS-Alt?performed on TAKS-Alt?

Parents will receive Confidential Student Parents will receive Confidential Student Reports (CSRs) in May after the Reports (CSRs) in May after the assessment has been finalized. assessment has been finalized.

By examining your child’s CSR, you will By examining your child’s CSR, you will find the score the teacher gave your child find the score the teacher gave your child on each instructional activity in each on each instructional activity in each tested subject area, as well as a total tested subject area, as well as a total score for each subject area tested.score for each subject area tested.

TAKS-Alt Performance CategoriesTAKS-Alt Performance Categories

There are 3 student performance categories:There are 3 student performance categories: Commended Performance (39 out of a Commended Performance (39 out of a

possible 42 points per subject area)possible 42 points per subject area) Met Standard (24 out of a possible 42 Met Standard (24 out of a possible 42

points)points) Did Not Meet Standard (less than 24 Did Not Meet Standard (less than 24

points out of a possible 42)points out of a possible 42)

Commended PerformanceCommended Performance

This category represents strong academic This category represents strong academic achievement. Students in this category achievement. Students in this category performed with success at a mostly independent performed with success at a mostly independent level that was considerably above the state level that was considerably above the state passing standard. Students were able to passing standard. Students were able to generalize a number of skills in a different generalize a number of skills in a different context. Students demonstrated consistent context. Students demonstrated consistent understanding of the knowledge and skills that understanding of the knowledge and skills that are linked to content measured at this grade.are linked to content measured at this grade.

Met StandardMet Standard

This category represents satisfactory academic This category represents satisfactory academic achievement. Students in this category achievement. Students in this category performed with moderate success at a level that performed with moderate success at a level that was at or somewhat above the state passing was at or somewhat above the state passing standard and may have required some standard and may have required some additional cueing and prompting. Students may additional cueing and prompting. Students may have generalized skills in a different context. have generalized skills in a different context. Students demonstrated a sufficient Students demonstrated a sufficient understanding of the knowledge and skills that understanding of the knowledge and skills that are linked to content measured at this grade.are linked to content measured at this grade.

Did Not Meet StandardDid Not Meet Standard

This category represents emerging This category represents emerging academic achievement. Students in this academic achievement. Students in this category performed with limited success at category performed with limited success at a level that was below the state passing a level that was below the state passing standard and most likely required cueing standard and most likely required cueing and prompting. Students demonstrated a and prompting. Students demonstrated a beginning understanding of the knowledge beginning understanding of the knowledge and skills that are linked to content and skills that are linked to content measured at this grade.measured at this grade.

Confidential Student ReportConfidential Student Report

Student Identification Information

Test Objectives

Subjects

Student Results

The total score on all objectives/essence statements per subject determines theperformance category.

Confidential Student ReportConfidential Student Report

Six essence statements are required per subject. Some objectives will have two essence statements assessed to reach the total of six.

Confidential Student ReportConfidential Student Report

If a + is recorded in place of a numeral in any of the score slots, it indicates that the essence statement was not assessed.

The student will receive a partial score when less than 6 essence statements are assessed. A partial response may occur when a student moves into the district without enough time to complete the assessment or when a student has a medical condition or emergency that results in an incomplete assessment.

Confidential Student ReportConfidential Student Report

A student may receive a “No Response Observed” score if unable to display any observable or purposeful change in affect or movement due to an ongoing medical condition or the severity of the student’s disability.

What is the role of the ARD What is the role of the ARD committee in assessment committee in assessment

decisions?decisions?

To decide if your child meets the participation To decide if your child meets the participation requirements for the recommended assessmentrequirements for the recommended assessment

To determine which assessment from the state To determine which assessment from the state options is the best for your childoptions is the best for your child

To review the state-required essence statements To review the state-required essence statements and give input into the teacher-selected essence and give input into the teacher-selected essence statements if TAKS-Alt is selectedstatements if TAKS-Alt is selected

TAKS-Alt ContactsTAKS-Alt Contactsand Additional Informationand Additional Information

For additional information regarding TAKS-Alt, including materials and For additional information regarding TAKS-Alt, including materials and PowerPoint presentations on:PowerPoint presentations on:

Fall 2007 ESC TAKS-Alt TrainingFall 2007 ESC TAKS-Alt TrainingWriting Predetermined CriteriaWriting Predetermined CriteriaAccurate scoringAccurate scoring

refer to the TEA TAKS-Alt website atrefer to the TEA TAKS-Alt website at http://tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/taksalthttp://tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/taksalt

To review the TAKS-Alt Training Modules, ask your school for password To review the TAKS-Alt Training Modules, ask your school for password information, then refer to information, then refer to https://pearson.learn.comhttps://pearson.learn.com

To contact a member of the TAKS-Alt team at TEA for additional questions:To contact a member of the TAKS-Alt team at TEA for additional questions:Phone: (512) 463-9536 (Pat Otto, Debbie Owens, Janet Borel)Phone: (512) 463-9536 (Pat Otto, Debbie Owens, Janet Borel)E-mail : E-mail : Assessments.StudentswithDisabilities@tea.state.tx.usAssessments.StudentswithDisabilities@tea.state.tx.us