Alternate Assessments For Students Research Articles

Penerapan Metode Profile Matching untuk Keputusan Siswa Penerima Beasiswa Berbasis Web

The very rapid development of information technology over time has felt the benefits of most people in the fields of education, health, entertainment, information sources, the world of business and communication without limitations of place and time. The internet is one of the latest communication information technologies, the internet has almost unlimited reach and reaches almost all groups in Indonesian society. Information technology is a technology that is developing rapidly at present. The real proof of current technological developments is computers. Computers are designed to automatically receive and store data (Input), process and produce data (output) using programs stored in computer memory. The use of Information Technology is not only limited to companies or government agencies but can also be used in the world of education. Research results System results can collect alternative student assessment data as well as criteria and sub-criteria data. The system can make decisions by calculating the core factor and secondary factor values ​​for each alternative and sub-criteria so that the student's decision can be accepted.

Lived Experiences of Teachers Handling Bajao Learners in the Context of Blended Learning: A Phenomenological Approach

This study investigates teachers' perspectives on handling Bajao learners in the context of blended learning. Phenomenological qualitative research using interviews with seven (7) faculty members from Sta. Ana District, Davao City Division, was undertaken in order to contribute teachers' voices dealing with indigenous learners while implementing distance education. In-person interviews were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed, and evaluated for recurring themes. Member checks and peer reviews were used to verify the data. Several themes emerged from the teachers’ experiences with Bajao learners. Most participants shared their perspectives on the struggles of Bajao learners. Many expressed that Bajao learners and their families were reluctant to report symptoms for fear of financial and physical health consequences. Access to digital resources was a major issue for staying on track with distance learning. Many were unable to afford or have access to their daily necessities. Family financial strain, agitation, a poor learning environment, and behavioral fatigue posed challenges for teachers. Teachers must adopt certain strategies, such as (a) alternative student assessment delivery, (b) encouraging parental support through communication and a positive approach, and (c) outsourcing and the use of personal funds to meet needs. Participants reflected on teaching ideals and expressed their preference for face-to-face delivery. The review of blended learning delivery and the enhancement of programs aimed at improving Bajao's quality of life were also observed. Therefore, we recommend that public and private institutions collaborate to create culture-based instruction for Bajao learners.

Improving Social and Play Outcomes for Students With Significant Disabilities During Recess.

For students with autism, recess is often a missed opportunity to develop social competence and relationships. Although interventions have been developed to promote interactions and social skills for students with average or above-average intellectual functioning, there has been less focus on students with autism who have below-average intellectual functioning or who meet the criteria for intellectual disability. In this single-case design study, we tested the efficacy of a combined peer-mediated and social skills instruction intervention on the interactions, play, and social skills of three students with autism who met their state's criteria for alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Social skills instruction featured video models that portrayed same-aged peers demonstrating individualized social skills on the playground. For all three students, there were substantial increases in interactions, play and social skills, and students and their peers provided positive feedback about the intervention.

A Critical Review of Student Assessment Practices in Distance Education in an Emerging Economy: Benchmarking Practices against Policy

Higher education in emerging economies has taken advantage of several technology affordances for student assessment in the digital era. However, the use of educational technology remains an area of concern in this context because of unequal technology terrain. This issue is more difficult in distance education, where students live in and work in remote areas. Although distance education providers in emerging economies have started to adopt alternative student assessment strategies, their contexts often force them to continue using conventional assessment methods. Against this backdrop, through a pragmatic mode of inquiry, the authors describe a five-phase study in which they identified the student assessment elements in national quality criteria that are rooted in international standards. These elements were benchmarked against the practices at a higher institution, highlighting good practices and inherent challenges. The findings are discussed in light of the transactional distance theory (TDT), with possible implications for assessment in a digital era. Further research areas are highlighted.

Introduction

ABSTRACTThe introduction to the Special Issue on Validity Studies lays out the rationale and provides an overview of the four articles comprising the issue. Each of the articles focuses on the validation of a specific instrument for a given purpose. The set represents a range of assessment types and uses, including the assessment of reading strategy use, an observation measure of special education teachers, a next generation alternative assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, and a student self report survey to assess and respond to individual risks and needs that may lead to truancy and/or school failure, Each article presents a unique case of using evidence to support the argument that scores from a given instrument provide both intended inferences and valid information for a given purpose. The concluding commentary summarizes lessons learned and challenges remaining for the field.

The Role of Grammarly in Assessing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Writing

This research aimed at investigating the use of Grammarly software and in what terms it was more effective in reducing students’ errors in EFL writing compared to teacher corrective feedback (indirect corrective feedback). This research used the quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design. There were 40 university students from English Education Study Program of a private university in Indonesia who were selected and randomized clustered into two; experimental and control groups. The students were tested at the beginning and the end of the research. The quantitative data were analyzed by using t-test formula. The results of the research confirm that the students whose work is evaluated by using Grammarly have a significant reduction in their errors compared to those whose work is evaluated by the teacher (indirect corrective feedback). The software is shown to be more effective to reduce the errors in terms of vocabulary usages (diction), language use (grammar), and mechanics of writing (spelling and punctuation). However, it is less effective to improve the content and organization of students’ EFL writing. This research can suggest EFL/ESL teachers with an alternative assessment for students’ writing that supports an autonomous learning environment.

Item and testlet position effects in computer-based alternate assessments for students with disabilities

ABSTRACTItem positions in educational assessments are often randomized across students to prevent cheating. However, if altering item positions results in any significant impact on students’ performance, it may threaten the validity of test scores. Two widely used approaches for detecting position effects – logistic regression and hierarchical generalized linear modelling – are often inconvenient for researchers and practitioners due to some technical and practical limitations. Therefore, this study introduced a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach for examining item and testlet position effects. The SEM approach was demonstrated using data from a computer-based alternate assessment designed for students with cognitive disabilities from three grade bands (3–5, 6–8, and high school). Item and testlet position effects were investigated in the field-test (FT) items that were received by each student at different positions. Results indicated that the difficulty of some FT items in grade bands 3–5 and 6–8 differed depending on the positions of the items on the test. Also, the overall difficulty of the field-test task in grade bands 6–8 increased as students responded to the field-test task in later positions. The SEM approach provides a flexible method for examining different types of position effects.

Item analysis on the alternative assessment for Students with Visual Impairments on College Scholastic Ability Test 2013 in Korea

Item analysis on the alternative assessment for Students with Visual Impairments on College Scholastic Ability Test 2013 in Korea

Evaluación de Estudiantes para la Justicia Social. Propuesta de un Modelo

This paper presents a proposal of a Model of Student’ Assessment for Social Justice that seeks to go further in the construction of an education that contributes to a real and deep transformation of society. The model is based on three essential sources. On the one hand, it is part of a multidimensional concept of Social Justice, based on Social Justice as Redistribution, as Recognition and as Participation. The second source is a proposal of Education for Social Justice built from the previous concept, and differentiating an education in Social Justice from an education for Social Justice and which is made up of three complementary axes: an equitable, critical and democratic education. Finally, the proposal drinks and learns from alternative student assessment approaches: Inclusive, Authentic, Culturally Responsive, Participatory, Democratic-Deliberative and Critical Assessment. With this, a three-dimensional model is formulated: equitable assessment, participatory assessment and critical assessment. This proposal attempts to contribute in some ideas to begin to transform the students’ assessment in such a way that it is configured as a key piece in an education committed with the construction of a fairer and more inclusive society.

Assessment of Student Interprofessional Education (IPE) Training for Team-Based Geriatric Home Care: Does IPE Training Change Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes?

Our study assesses changes in students’ knowledge and attitudes after participation in an interprofessional, team-based, geriatric home training program. Second-year medical, physician assistant, occupational therapy, social work, and physical therapy students; third-year pharmacy students; and fourth-year dental students were led by interprofessional faculty teams. Student participants were assessed before and after the curriculum using an interprofessional attitudes learning scale. Significant differences and positive data trends were noted at year-end. Our study suggests that early implementation, assessment, and standardization of years of student training is needed for optimal interprofessional geriatric learning. Additionally, alternative student assessment tools should be considered for future studies.

“Becoming” a cooperative learner-teacher. [“Llegar a ser“ un aprendiz-maestro cooperativo

This paper presents an overview of the theoretical background concerning the challenges for secondary school teachers implementing cooperative learning in areas such as alternative student assessment technique, student's resistance to collaborative techniques, planning and class management, teacher training, advancement, and evaluation. The research is based upon data gathered in the Italian Veneto and Emilia Romagna regions through focus groups with secondary school teachers. The educational project focuses on the use of critical incidents as training and educational tools with particular attention for cooperative learning approaches to transition situations and intercultural learning. It reviews different methodological options and explores ways to apply the critical incidents method in addressing the screening and development of intercultural competence within cooperative learning educational settings.

Teaching Principles of Heredity to High School Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities

This investigation focused on the systematic instruction of a science skill from the core content standards in accordance with the Kentucky Alternate Assessment for students with moderate and severe disabilities (MSD). Specifically, this study examined the effectiveness of using a constant time delay procedure with multiple exemplars in teaching the principles of heredity (i.e., transmission of genetic information) to high school students with MSD. In addition, the study assessed whether or not students with MSD could draw conclusions based on meaningful related nontargeted information presented in the consequence of instructional trials during the science lesson and generalize both the target and nontargeted information to novel exemplars. The results of the multiple probe design replicated across five students with MSD show that the procedures were effective.

Considerations for Equating Alternate Assessments: Two Case Studies of Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards

The development of alternate assessments for students with disabilities plays a pivotal role in state and national accountability systems. An important assumption in the use of alternate assessments in these accountability systems is that scores are comparable on different test forms across diverse groups of students over time. The use of test equating is a common way that states attempt to establish score comparability on different test forms. However, equating presents many unique, practical, and technical challenges for alternate assessments. This article provides case studies of equating for two alternate assessments in Michigan and an approach to determine whether or not equating would be preferred to not equating on these assessments. This approach is based on examining equated score and performance-level differences and investigating population invariance across subgroups of students with disabilities. Results suggest that using an equating method with these data appeared to have a minimal impact on proficiency classifications. The population invariance assumption was suspect for some subgroups and equating methods with some large potential differences observed.

Using General Education Student Data to Calibrate a Mathematics Alternate Assessment Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards

The U.S. Department of Education released regulations governing the development of alternate assessments for students with persistent learning problems who are eligible for Modified Academic Achievement Standards (MAAS) in 2007. To date, state regular assessments or alternate assessments based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards have not provided these students valid test scores for accountability and other inferences. Collecting a representative sample has been a major challenge in developing accurate alternate assessments for MAAS-eligible students because these students comprise a very small percentage of the student population. The present study investigated the sampling procedure used to develop mathematics alternate assessment items for eighth grade MAAS students. Specifically, the test results from general education students in sixth and seventh grades were compared to those from MAAS-eligible students in eighth grade. The results of this study revealed that using data obtained from general education students in lower grade levels may be an appropriate and efficient method for designing alternate assessment items and suggested new procedures for developing MAAS assessments.

‘Measuring Up’? Assessment and students with disabilities in the modern university

In this article, I ask how university students with disabilities negotiate with staff arrangements for alternative assessment practices. I draw on three case studies using a personal pronoun perspective to challenge the conventional view that educational policy and teaching practice are forms of rational action. I demonstrate how the lives of students and staff are typically characterised by unexpected events, disorder, emotion and prejudice. The analytic perspective offered here establishes how meanings, intentions and different viewpoints and alliances emerge as social actors work to create specific faculty and institution cultures. The case studies also reveal what does and what does not work – some of the obstacles – and what needs to be done if we are serious about equity and inclusive education. They include practical assistance in recognising the specific requirements of students with disabilities and how to design alternative assessment for students with specific ‘conditions’. I argue that professional development and specific techniques in curriculum design are needed. Some staff also require help in recognising their policy and legal obligations. A cultural change which identifies and challenges prejudice is a larger task if universities are to become places in which equal opportunity principles and inclusive education are present and actively practised.

Book Review: Alternative Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities: An Educator's Guide

Book Review: Alternative Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities: An Educator's Guide

Introduction to the Special Issue on Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards: New Policy, New Practices, and Persistent Challenges

This introduction to the special issue titled Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards: New Policy, New Practices, and Persistent Challenges addresses the federal policy introducing the new alternate assessment for students with persistent academic difficulties, as well as related implementation issues that will be more thoroughly considered throughout the journal. Three guidelines are identified within the policy for alternate assessments based on modified academic achievement standards (AA-MASs), including that (a) a state's grade-level academic content standards cannot be modified for an AA-MAS, (b) a state's general test can be modified for an AA-MAS, and (c) a state's achievement standards can be modified for an AA-MAS so long as they remain on grade level. This article introduces key issues including identification of students eligible for an AA-MAS, the degree of modification that can be applied to develop an AA-MAS, and the current state of AA-MAS development across the nation. The article concludes with overviews of each contribution in the journal.

Alternate Assessment Use With Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Analysis of Portfolio, Checklists, and Out-of-Level Test Formats

The purpose of this paper is to present findings on alternate assessments for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (SDHH). Drawn from the results of the "Second National Survey of Assessments and Accommodations for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing," this study investigated three alternate assessment formats: portfolio, checklists, and out-of-level testing. Analysis includes descriptive data of alternate assessment use across all three formats, qualitative analyses of teacher perspectives, and an exploratory logistic regression analysis on predictors of alternate assessment use. This exploratory analysis looks at predictors such as state policy, educational setting, grades served, language of instruction, and participant perspectives. Results indicate that predictors at the student, teacher, and system level may influence alternate assessment use for SDHH.

Content Analysis of Science Performance Indicators in Alternate Assessment

Under the requirement of both the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (1997) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB; 2002), states are required to provide alternate assessment for students who cannot participate in general curriculum and statewide assessments. According to NCLB, states are required to report the progress of all students in science in the 2007—2008 school year. Due to a lack of research on how to teach science for students with significant cognitive disabilities, states find themselves in a difficult position. The intent of this study was to examine the number of states that included performance indicators (PIs) for science in their alternate assessments. We also investigated how states generate their science PIs linked to the academic areas of the national standards set by the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and how to access these indicators to general curriculum for teaching science to students with significant cognitive disabilities. These findings are discussed with recommendations on how to access these indicators to general curriculum for teaching science to students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Teacher Perceptions and the Consequential Validity of an Alternate Assessment for Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

The purpose of this investigation was to understand the variables that influence teachers' perceptions regarding one state's alternate assessment process and results. Elementary and secondary special education teachers (N = 113) from across Wisconsin participated, submitting case materials for one of their students. These materials included the a copy of the students' WisconsinAlternative Assessment (WAA) rating scale and current Individualized Education Program (IEP); a brief survey regarding their perceptions of the WAA; and a curricular access questionnaire that documented which WAA items were part of the student's curriculum during the current or previous school year. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between predictor variables and teachers' perceptions as reported on the teacher survey. The results indicated student grade level accounted for the small amount of the variation in teacher's positive perceptions of the WAA. These results are discussed in the context of consequential evidence for the validity of the WAA.