MDE Alternate Assessments Alternate Assessments 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which alternate assessment instrument has Minnesota used for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) consortium?
- PARCC Alternate
- MTAS (Minnesota Test of Academic Skills)
- DLM Essential Elements assessment (Correct answer)
- Minnesota ACCESS Alternate
Correct answer: DLM Essential Elements assessment
Minnesota participates in the Dynamic Learning Maps consortium, using the DLM assessment aligned to DLM Essential Elements for eligible students.
Question 2: What is a 'testlet' in the context of the Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment used in Minnesota?
- A brief paper-based test booklet
- A small, discrete instructionally embedded assessment activity (Correct answer)
- A portfolio submission requirement
- A teacher observation checklist
Correct answer: A small, discrete instructionally embedded assessment activity
A testlet is a short, focused assessment activity within DLM that measures specific learning map nodes aligned to academic standards.
Question 3: What is the purpose of 'blueprint' documents provided by Minnesota for alternate assessments?
- To describe school building accessibility requirements
- To outline which Essential Elements and linkage levels will be assessed each year (Correct answer)
- To provide student IEP goal templates
- To detail technology infrastructure requirements
Correct answer: To outline which Essential Elements and linkage levels will be assessed each year
Assessment blueprints specify the Essential Elements, linkage levels, and number of testlets students will encounter during the alternate assessment window.
Question 4: In DLM alternate assessments, what are 'linkage levels' designed to represent?
- Internet connectivity requirements for testing
- Points along a learning progression from foundational to target skills (Correct answer)
- Links between grade levels in a multi-year plan
- Connections between different content areas
Correct answer: Points along a learning progression from foundational to target skills
Linkage levels represent a learning progression from Initial Precursor to Target, allowing the assessment to meet students at their actual skill level.
Question 5: What is the First Contact Survey in the DLM alternate assessment system used in Minnesota?
- A parent notification form required before testing begins
- A student background questionnaire completed by teachers to personalize the assessment (Correct answer)
- An accessibility tool request form
- An eligibility determination form for IEP teams
Correct answer: A student background questionnaire completed by teachers to personalize the assessment
The First Contact Survey is completed by teachers to provide information about the student's communication, academic, and sensory characteristics so the system can appropriately assign testlets.
Question 6: Which communication mode accommodation is supported within the DLM alternate assessment for students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?
- AAC use is prohibited to maintain standardization
- Students may use AAC devices as a supported accommodation during testing (Correct answer)
- AAC is only permitted for science testlets
- AAC requires a separate state waiver each year
Correct answer: Students may use AAC devices as a supported accommodation during testing
DLM supports use of AAC devices as an accommodation because communication mode should not be a barrier to demonstrating academic knowledge.
Question 7: What happens to a Minnesota student's DLM alternate assessment results if the test administrator does not complete the required training before the assessment window opens?
- Results are still valid if the student passes
- The student's scores may be invalidated and reported as not tested (Correct answer)
- Results are averaged with the previous year's scores
- The district receives a small financial penalty only
Correct answer: The student's scores may be invalidated and reported as not tested
Test administrator training is a requirement in Minnesota, and failure to complete it can result in invalidated scores because proper administration cannot be verified.
MDE Alternate Assessments Alternate Assessments 3
Which alternate assessment instrument has Minnesota used for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) consortium?