NSCAS NSCAS Alternate Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym DLM stand for in the context of NSCAS-Alt ELA and Math?
- Dynamic Learning Maps (Correct answer)
- Differentiated Learning Modules
- Developmental Literacy Measures
- District-Level Monitoring
Correct answer: Dynamic Learning Maps
DLM stands for Dynamic Learning Maps, which is the framework used to organize Essential Elements and learning map nodes for the alternate assessment in ELA and Math.
Question 2: What are 'Essential Elements' in the context of NSCAS-Alt?
- Core skills required for high school graduation
- Reduced-complexity learning targets derived from the general academic standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities (Correct answer)
- Basic reading and writing benchmarks for all students
- Science laboratory safety procedures
Correct answer: Reduced-complexity learning targets derived from the general academic standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities
Essential Elements are reduced-complexity versions of general education standards specifically written for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the alternate assessment.
Question 3: Who is primarily responsible for administering the NSCAS-Alt to a student?
- A district assessment coordinator
- The student's special education teacher or primary service provider (Correct answer)
- A state-trained external evaluator
- The school principal
Correct answer: The student's special education teacher or primary service provider
The student's special education teacher or primary service provider administers NSCAS-Alt because they know the student's communication methods and needs best.
Question 4: How do NSCAS-Alt results factor into Nebraska's school accountability system?
- They are excluded entirely from accountability calculations
- They are counted in the same way as general NSCAS proficiency scores
- They count toward participation and achievement goals within federal accountability guardrails (Correct answer)
- They only affect special education program ratings, not school grades
Correct answer: They count toward participation and achievement goals within federal accountability guardrails
NSCAS-Alt results count toward participation and proficiency indicators in Nebraska's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability system, subject to the 1% federal cap.
Question 5: Which federal law mandates the inclusion of students with significant cognitive disabilities in state assessments through alternate assessments?
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Correct answer)
- No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Correct answer: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA requires states to assess all students, including those with the most significant cognitive disabilities, and allows alternate assessments for up to 1% of the student population.
Question 6: Can a parent or guardian independently request that their child take NSCAS-Alt instead of the regular NSCAS?
- Yes, parents can request it at any time
- No, eligibility is determined solely by the IEP team based on disability criteria (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if the student has failed NSCAS twice
- No, it is assigned automatically based on special education enrollment
Correct answer: No, eligibility is determined solely by the IEP team based on disability criteria
Eligibility for NSCAS-Alt must be determined by the student's IEP team using specific criteria; it cannot be chosen by parents alone or assigned automatically.
Question 7: In which grade levels is the NSCAS-Alt ELA and Math assessment administered?
- Grades 3–8 and grade 11 (Correct answer)
- Grades 3–5 only
- Grades 6–8 and grade 12
- Grades 4, 8, and 10
Correct answer: Grades 3–8 and grade 11
NSCAS-Alt ELA and Math follow the same grade-level testing schedule as the general NSCAS, covering grades 3 through 8 and grade 11.
NSCAS NSCAS Alternate Assessment 2
What does the acronym DLM stand for in the context of NSCAS-Alt ELA and Math?