2008-2009 Alternate Assessment

The alternate assessment has changed very little from last year, and the process will be the same. To help teachers who are unfamiliar with the rating scale procedure, the Department of Education has put together a PowerPoint presentation on the steps in the process. This PowerPoint can be found on the DE Web site at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/461/926/1/5/, and Pam Childers will also be conducting a two-hour workshop entitled “Alternate Assessment 2008: Steps in the Process” in multiple regions this year for teachers who would like a face-to-face tutorial. Those classes can be found in the Professional Development catalog at https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH, and they are listed here for your convenience.

• October 13, 2008, Adel, Adel AEA Office
• October 13, 2008, Guthrie Center, Guthrie Center Public Library
• October 29, 2008, Des Moines, Zion Lutheran Church
• October 31, 2008, Indianola, Indianola AEA Office
• November 6, 2008, Ames, Ames AEA Office
• November 21, 2008, Des Moines, Zion Lutheran Church
• November 21, 2008, Newton, Newton AEA Office

Each district will be receiving a set of five DVDs released by the Department of Education regarding the alternate assessment. The DVDs will go to the special education contact for each district. It is important that these be shared with special education teachers in order to provide teachers with the information they need to be able to complete the assessment process this year. A limited number of extra copies are available. If you have any questions, contact Pam Childers at (515) 270-9030 or (800) 362-2720 ext. 14457 or at pchilders@aea11.k12.ia.us.