PSS develops alternate assessments

Public School System educators, with a Hawaii-based program specialist, initiated Friday discussions on how the local public education sector can reinforce the inclusion of students with disabilities in state-wide assessments as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Acting Associate Commissioner for Secondary Education Rita A. Sablan underscored the need to establish a firm set of guidelines that would accommodate students who are not able participate in district-wide tests due to certain physical or mental disabilities.

The IDEA requires that PSS be able to demonstrate that children with disabilities are included in general state and district-wide assessment programs with appropriate accommodations and modifications in administration.

PSS consultant Dr. Don Burger, from the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning Hawaii, warned that developing the alternate assessment plan will take at least a year to accomplish.

“We are just starting a conversation today. It won’t be until next year that we can create a good plan,” said Dr. Burger in an interview last Friday.

In US mainland public schools, the expert revealed that students with disabilities are typically excluded from the regular assessments such SAT9, ACT, Standards Based Assessment, Placement exams, and others.

“But the change in thinking now is that every student in those grade levels need to be tested. So we’re trying to make good decisions and have this conversation here and do the right thing for students to test them in the same way that they were instructed,” he explained.

Involved in a similar project with the Hawaii State Dept. of Education, Dr. Burger demonstrated to PSS teachers and principals last Friday results of the work that PREL has started in the Hawaii district.

In the months to follow, PREL will be assisting the school system come out with steps needed in the development of alternate assessments for PSS’ Special Education Program.

While on island, Dr. Burger also facilitated last week discussions on the Reading Assessments under PSS’ five-year Comprehensive Student Accountability Plan.

The Reading assessment tool is expected to elevate the level of public education in the Northern Marianas versus ten educational entities in the Pacific.

The testing measure created for students in the 4th, 8th, and 10th grades is targeted to reveal the true picture of students’ Reading aptitudes.