MDE Alternate Assessments Alternate Assessments 4

Question 1

Which eligibility criterion is NOT a valid basis for placing a student in the Minnesota alternate assessment?

Accepted Answer

The student's disability category is emotional-behavioral disorder only

Answer

Disability category alone does not determine alternate assessment eligibility; the decision must be based on the characteristics of the student's cognitive functioning and instructional needs.

Question 2

A student who scores 'Emerging' on the DLM alternate assessment in mathematics has demonstrated which level of performance?

Accepted Answer

Some evidence of the target skills but not yet consistent mastery

Answer

An Emerging score indicates the student shows some evidence of the Essential Elements but has not yet consistently demonstrated the target-level skills.

Question 3

How must Minnesota schools report alternate assessment results to parents under federal and state requirements?

Accepted Answer

Schools must provide individual student reports in a format parents can understand

Answer

Federal and Minnesota state law require schools to provide parents with individual score reports that explain their child's performance on the alternate assessment in an understandable format.

Question 4

For which grade spans does Minnesota administer the alternate assessment to students with significant cognitive disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Grades 3–8 and once in high school (grades 10–12)

Answer

Minnesota's alternate assessment is administered in grades 3–8 and once during the high school grades (10–12), mirroring the grade spans required by federal law.

Question 5

What is the role of 'Essential Elements' in the DLM alternate assessment that Minnesota uses?

Accepted Answer

They are the academic targets derived from grade-level standards that serve as the basis for assessment

Answer

Essential Elements are the specific academic targets, derived from general education grade-level standards, that the DLM alternate assessment measures.

(MDE) Minnesota Department of Education Practice Test

(MDE) Minnesota Department of Education Practice Test

MDE Alternate Assessments Alternate Assessments 4