Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards

Overview

Alternate assessments based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS) are an assessment that some states may use to evaluate the performance of a small group of students with disabilities. In April 2007 No Child Left Behind regulations on modified academic achievement standards were finalized.

Federal legislation requires that all students, including students with disabilities, be included in accountability systems. There are flexible assessment options for students who received special education services. Many students can take the general assessment with or without accommodations, but some students with disabilities need alternate ways to access assessments. Alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) enable some students with disabilities to meaningfully participate in the state-wide assessment system. Another assessment option is alternate assessments based on modified academic achievement standards (AA-MAS). AA-MAS may be an assessment option for some students with an IEP whose progress to date, in response to appropriate instruction, is such that the student is unlikely to achieve grade-level proficiency within the school year covered by the IEP. States are not required to offer this option. Students qualifying for an AA-MAS may be from any disability category. 

Students who are assessed with this option are required to have instruction in grade-level content.  States considering this option need to make sure that strategies are in place to improve instruction and learning for the group of students who may be candidates for an AA-MAS. 

AA-MAS White Paper

Considerations for the Alternate Assessment based on Modified Achievement Standards (AA-MAS): Understanding the Eligible Population and Applying that Knowledge to their Instruction and Assessment
This is an edited report with multiple authors on various aspects of the alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS) produced by the Center for Assessment under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education through the New York Comprehensive Center in collaboration with the New York State Education Department.
Executive Summary
Full Report
 

NCEO Resources:

Characteristics of States' Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards in 2008 (Synthesis Report 72)  - NEW!
PDF document

States’ Participation Guidelines for Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) in 2008 (Synthesis Report 71)
HTML format / PDF format

States’ Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) in 2007 (Synthesis Report 67)
HTML format / PDF format

Thinking About the Students Who May Qualify to Participate in An Alternate Assessment Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (AA-MAS): A Tool for Study Groups

Identifying Students with Disabilities who are Eligible to Take an Alternate Assessment Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards

A Technical Design and Documentation Workbook for Assessments Based on Modified Achievement Standards

Reporting the Results of Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards

Learning Opportunities for Your Child Through Alternate Assessments: Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards

Other Resources:

Lessons From the Initial Peer Review of Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Achievement Standards
by Janet Filbin
(Published by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Student Achievement and School Accountability Program)

Standards-Based Individualized Education Program Examples
(Published by Project Forum: National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)

A Seven-Step Process to Creating Standards-based IEPs
(Published by Project Forum: National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)

Federal Policy and Statewide Assessments for Students with Disabilities (PowerPoint)
(Sue Rigney, U.S. Department of Education)

Webinar:

Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards
Webinar for Parent Training and Information Centers & Community Parent Resource Centers
Conducted October 9, 2007

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Regulations on Alternate Assessments based on Modified Achievement Standards

These Regulations allow states to develop modified academic achievement standards that are challenging for eligible students and measure a student's mastery of grade-level content, but are less difficult than grade-level achievement standards. For more information, see Special Topics on Alternate Assessments.

Federal Register April 9, 2007 Regulations

Fact Sheet: Measuring the Achievement of Students with Disabilities What families and schools need to know about modified academic achievement standards

Non-Regulatory Guidance: Modified Academic Achievement Standards-Draft (July, 2007)

Additional Title I Provisions Included in the Regulations Package on Modified Academic Achievement Standards: Non-Regulatory Guidance (July, 2007)