MDE Alternate Assessments Alternate Assessments 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law requires states to include students with significant cognitive disabilities in statewide assessment systems through alternate assessments?
- No Child Left Behind Act only
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Correct answer)
- Rehabilitation Act Section 504
- Carl D. Perkins Act
Correct answer: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA requires states to provide alternate assessments aligned to alternate academic achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Question 2: What is the primary role of the IEP team when determining alternate assessment participation in Minnesota?
- The principal makes the final determination
- The IEP team collectively decides based on eligibility criteria (Correct answer)
- The state education department assigns students automatically
- Parents alone decide alternate assessment participation
Correct answer: The IEP team collectively decides based on eligibility criteria
The IEP team collectively reviews eligibility criteria and determines whether a student with significant cognitive disabilities qualifies for alternate assessment.
Question 3: Minnesota's alternate assessments are aligned to which set of standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities?
- General grade-level academic standards only
- Minnesota Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (MNAAS) (Correct answer)
- Common Core State Standards unmodified
- District-developed local standards
Correct answer: Minnesota Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (MNAAS)
Minnesota alternate assessments are aligned to the Minnesota Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (MNAAS), which are derived from general standards but reduced in depth and complexity.
Question 4: Under ESSA, what is the maximum percentage of students who may be assessed using alternate assessments at the district level for accountability purposes?
- 5%
- 1% (Correct answer)
- 10%
- 3%
Correct answer: 1%
ESSA caps the percentage of students assessed with alternate assessments at 1% of all assessed students in a state for federal accountability purposes.
Question 5: Which content areas are included in Minnesota's alternate assessment for eligible students?
- Reading, mathematics, and science (Correct answer)
- Reading and mathematics only
- Science and social studies only
- Writing, reading, and arts
Correct answer: Reading, mathematics, and science
Minnesota's alternate assessments cover reading, mathematics, and science, mirroring the content areas assessed in the general statewide assessments.
Question 6: What does 'extended standards' mean in the context of Minnesota alternate assessments?
- Standards that require more time to complete than regular assessments
- Grade-level academic standards that have been reduced in complexity and scope (Correct answer)
- Additional standards added beyond the regular curriculum
- Standards exclusively for English language learners
Correct answer: Grade-level academic standards that have been reduced in complexity and scope
Extended standards are derived from grade-level standards but reduced in breadth and complexity to be appropriate for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Question 7: When must a Minnesota school district request a waiver if its alternate assessment participation rate exceeds the 1% federal cap?
- At the start of each school year proactively
- After receiving a state audit finding only
- When the district's rate exceeds 1% and the state requires documentation of justification (Correct answer)
- Waivers are never available; districts must reduce participation immediately
Correct answer: When the district's rate exceeds 1% and the state requires documentation of justification
Minnesota must submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education with justification when statewide alternate assessment participation exceeds the 1% cap.
MDE Alternate Assessments Alternate Assessments 2
Which federal law requires states to include students with significant cognitive disabilities in statewide assessment systems through alternate assessments?