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No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires all students, including those with disabilities, to be assessed on statewide accountability measures. These assessments can be taken with or without accommodations as determined by the IEP team. In Virginia, students with disabilities participate in statewide assessments in grades 3-8 and at the end of certain high school courses. Diploma options are determined in part by student performance on high school end-of-course state assessments.
Elementary/Middle School
Students at the elementary and middle school levels participate in statewide assessments, or Standards of Learning assessments (SOLs), in grades 3-8. Students who require an alternative grade level assessment to the SOLs may participate in the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) for Writing, Science, or Social Studies or the Virginia Modified Achievement Standards Test (VMAST) in Reading or Mathematics. VGLA support sessions will be available to assist teachers in the collection of evidence. Please check MyPLT for the dates and locations of these sessions.
High School
Students in high school participate in End of Course Standards of Learning assessments. Students who require alternative end of course assessment to the SOLs may participate in the Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP) for all content areas with an end of course SOL assessment or the Virginia Modified Achievement Standards Test (VMAST) for Algebra 1 or English 11: Reading. VSEP support sessions are available upon request to assist teachers in the collection of evidence. Please check MyPLT for the dates and locations of these sessions
Alternate Assessments
States are required to create alternate assessments for students who are unable to take the general statewide assessments. In Virginia, students who are working in the Aligned Standards of Learning curriculum may participate in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) in grades 3-8 and 11. VAAP support sessions will be available to assist teachers in the collection of evidence.
Assessment Options for Students with Disabilities Informational Presentation
Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments
Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) Assessment Program
Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP)
Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)
Training/Technical Assistance Centers (T/TAC)
Irene Meier, Director
Office of Special Education Instruction
571-423-4100
immeier@fcps.edu
Ellie Stack
Program Manager
Assessment and ESY
571-423-4190
EPStack@fcps.edu
Robin Sheare, Web Development Specialist
571-423-4484
rlsheare@fcps.edu
October 15, 2012