CoAlt: Science & Social Studies
Administration Training
12 th Grade
2014-2015
Training
 Overview and Purpose
 Preparing for Testing
 Accommodations
 Administration
 After Testing
2
Overview
Eligibility
What is CoAlt
What is different
Standardization
12 th Grade CoAlt Science/Social Studies
Purpose
The Colorado Alternate Assessment (CoAlt)
is a
standards-based assessment designed specifically for
eligible students with significant cognitive disabilities.
The primary purpose of the assessment program is to
determine the level at which Colorado students with
significant cognitive disabilities meet the Extended
Evidence Outcomes (EEOs) of the Colorado Academic
Standards in the content areas of science and social
studies.
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Alternate Standards and Assessment
Eligibility Criteria Worksheet
 Eligibility is determined by the
IEP team
 1 st Determine Academic Standard
 2 nd Determine Assessment
Patrick McGinty
720-423-3361
CoAlt: S & SS
 Standards-based assessment
 Measures students progress towards the
Extended Evidence Outcomes of the
Colorado Academic Standards
 Provides a picture of student performance
 Indicates individual student progress
towards the academic content areas of
Science and Social Studies
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CoAlt: S & SS
 What is different:
 The student is presented with three answer
options rather than four.
 The student will work with the test item until
they provide the correct answer or the
maximum number of attempts is reached.
 The scoring rubric incorporates the level of
independence and answer, which will no longer
be collected as two separate score points.
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CoAlt: S & SS
 CoAlt Test Examiners may not reword prompts,
but must follow the script exactly as written.
 A cue for the student to engage is included as
the additional prompt, and will no longer need
to be created by the CoAlt Test Examiner.
 CoAlt Test Examiners may mark student scores
on the score recording form or in the test book,
but final student scores must be entered online
via PearsonAccess.
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CoAlt: S & SS
 CoAlt Assessment Test Book Layout
 Item types
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
Selected Response – 26 Items

Supported Performance Tasks – 4 Items
Standardized
This means…
 all students will have the same test content, resources,
directions, testing conditions, and rating procedures
 one score obtained by one student in a part of Colorado
will mean the same as the same score obtained by
another student in another part of Colorado
 There is flexibility in the assessment within the
standardization through the use of CoAlt
Accommodations
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2014 Test Window
November 3 – November 21
Grade 12
Science and Social Studies
CoAlt Testing Lists are available
in School Folders
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Preparing for the Assessment
Preparing Students
Before Testing
Scheduling
Environment
Security / Chain of Custody
Ethics
Test Examiner Qualifications
Score Monitor
Materials
Test Examiner Before Testing
Preparing students for the CoAlt
Academic Content Standards
Extended Evidence Outcomes
Curriculum Instruction
and Practices
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Alternate Assessment
Preparing students for the CoAlt
 Administer available sample items from CDE website at
http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/newassess-coaltsss
 Help students approach testing in a relaxed positive way
 Encourage student to put forth their best efforts
 Ask the student if they have other needs prior to beginning
testing
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Scheduling
 Read through Examiner’s Manual
 Preparation of Accommodations/Task Manipulatives
 Read through Items
 Cut out task manipulatives
 Individual administration (Only Test Examiner and Student
in Testing Environment)
 No time limits or restrictions on time
 Allow time for breaks
Breaks
 May be taken at any time
 Must complete the item the student started
 Return to the next item
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Environment
 Space for giving the assessment
 Remove or cover reference materials
 Adequate lighting
 Adequate work space
 Distraction free
 CoAlt Science and Social Studies is a
one-on-one Assessment between the
Student and Test Examiner. No one
else is allowed in the testing
environment unless they have been
trained annually
 Space for storing accommodations
 These are secure materials and must be
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returned to SAL once testing is
complete each day
Security
The following items must be secured:
Item Protocols
Student Materials
Manipulatives/Option Cards
Accommodated student materials
Score recording form
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Documented Chain of Custody
 The SAL is responsible for the distribution and
collection of CoAlt: S & SS materials to and from
test examiners immediately before testing and
after testing on a daily basis.
 Test materials must not be stored in classrooms.
 CoAlt: S & SS accommodated materials must be
returned to the SAL and secured with the other
assessment materials.
 Only materials for the student being assessed at
the time should be distributed.
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Documented Chain of Custody
 Due to the unique nature of the CoAlt
Assessments, Test Examiners will need access to
a student’s materials prior to the test
administration in order to prepare any necessary
accommodations and manipulatives\option
cards for the Supported Performance Tasks.
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Ethics
It is a breach of professional ethics for school
personnel to provide verbal or nonverbal
clues or answers, teach items on the test,
share writing prompts, coach, hint or in any
way influence a student’s performance during
the test administration.
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Test Examiner
Test examiner must be a certified educator
Test examiner should be the person who knows
the student best
Test examiners must be trained annually
Para professionals may be present but may not
administer the assessment and must be trained
Anyone in the assessment environment
must be trained annually
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Materials
 Examiner’s Manual
 One shrink wrapped packet per student
 CoAlt test book
 Secure return envelope
 Task Manipulatives/Option Cards
 Secure Return Form
 Score Recording Form
 Student Response Form
 Test Security Form
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SAMPLE TEST LAYOUT
 Examiner’s Manual – Page 9
a. Please turn to Page 9 in the Examiner’s
Manual for the Sample Test Layout.
b. Sample items are available at
http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/CoAltItems.asp. CoAlt Test Examiners are encouraged
to administer the sample item(s) available to
students to prepare them for testing.
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Test Examiner or SAL Before Testing
 Write the student’s full name on the cover of
the test book
 Write the student’s full name, teacher’s name,
school name and district name with a black
marker on the secure return envelope
 Cut apart the option cards for each performance
task
 Paper clip the cut-apart option cards to the
corresponding student response page, then
store them in the secure return envelope
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Test Examiner Before Testing
 Read through the items and consider the
specific needs of the student
 Review the EEOs (Extended Evidence Outcomes
of the Colorado Academic Standards) being
assessed
 Identify and secure any accommodations
keeping the accommodations with the test
materials at all times and given to Site
Assessment Leader before and after testing each
day
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Accommodations
Accommodations
 What does the student need to access the assessment?
 What is being measured?
Accommodations
 The student facing pages of test items may need to be
adapted.
Size
 Color
 Contrast levels
 Dimension
 Assistive technology
 Tactile
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Accommodations
 The student facing pages of test items may need to be
adapted.
 Size
Color
 Contrast levels
 Dimension
 Assistive technology
 Tactile
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Accommodations
 The student facing pages of test items may need to be
adapted.
 Size
 Color
Contrast levels
 Dimension
 Assistive technology
 Tactile
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Accommodations
 The student facing pages of test items may need to be
adapted.
 Size
 Color
 Contrast levels
Dimension
 Assistive technology
 Tactile
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Accommodations
 The student facing pages of test items may need to be
adapted.
 Size
 Color
 Contrast levels
 Dimension
Assistive technology
 Tactile
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Accommodations
 The student facing pages of test items may need to be
adapted.
 Size
 Color
 Contrast levels
 Dimension
 Assistive technology
Tactile
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Accommodations
 The picture symbols/ icons provided in the CoAlt assessment
should be used, except in the following circumstances:
 The student needs to use objects rather than pictures
 The student needs pictures of real objects rather than drawings
 The student has a personal lexicon with a specific representation
for the concept or words in the student answer choices – in this
case, all answer choices must be from the student’s personal
lexicon
Remember
Accommodations used during
instruction should be the
accommodations used during
assessment as long as they do not
invalidate what is being measured.
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Selected Response
Administration
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Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Alternate Prompt
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Selected Response
Notice no repeating of the prompt.
Activity 1
Find a partner and determine who will be the teacher
and who will be the student.
Administer Selected Response Released Item
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Supported Performance Task
Administration
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Supported Performance Tasks
Supported Performance Tasks
Positive Consequences
Negative
Consequences
Supported Performance Tasks
Supported Performance Tasks
Positive Consequences Negative Consequences
Supported Performance Tasks
Supported Performance Tasks
Positive Consequences Negative Consequences
Supported Performance Tasks
Supported Performance Tasks
Positive Consequences Negative Consequences
Activity 2
Find a partner and determine who will be the teacher
and who will be the student.
Administer Supported Performance Task Released Item
PearsonAccess Test Administration Video available at:
http://www.pearsonaccess.com/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=
Colorado%2FcoPALPLayout_v2&cid=1205794393634&pagename=co
PALPWrapper&resourcecategory=Training
After testing
Entering Scores
Test Examiner Returning Materials
Site Assessment Leader Returning Materials
Score Reports
Scoring
 Enter scores into PearsonAccess
 Districts set up user accounts
 Karen Lutz – create teacher permissions in PearsonAccess
 Pearson emails original username/password
 Teachers choose password
Scoring
1.
2.
3.
4.
Log in to PearsonAccess with User ID
Click on the Online Score Entry tab
Verify Test
Click on Enter Scores
Scoring
5. Verify Current Organization is School
Scoring
6. Click on name of the student in the box on the side
7. Select test
Scoring
8. Enter form number
9. Enter accommodations for the student
 IEP
 Used
Scoring
10. Enter student answers

Each item needs to have a response
Scoring
11. Answer Validity Questions
 How familiar are you with this student?
 Very familiar, somewhat familiar, familiar, somewhat unfamiliar,
unfamiliar
 How many hours per week does this student spend in
instruction on this content area?
 <1 hour, 1 to < 2 hours, 2 to <3 hours, 3 to < 4 hours, 4 to < 5 hours, >= 5
hours, Do not know
 Approximately how much of instructional time for this content
area is in the general education classroom?
 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, none
 This student’s primary receptive communication is:
 oral language (spoken or sign), reading, picture communication
(including symbol systems), tactile (tactile graphics or braille), other, do
not know
Scoring
11. Answer Validity Questions
 This student primary expressive communication is:
 oral language (spoken or sign), writing, picture communication
(including symbol systems), tactile (tactile graphics or braille), other, do
not know
 I feel that the student’s responses accurately reflect their
understanding of the material.
 Strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree, do not know
 How much time did this student take on the assessment?
 [# minutes]
(Test Examiner must keep track of start and stop time during test
administration in order to accurately answer question)
Scoring
11. Click Save



Not Started
In Progress
Completed
Test Examiner Returning Materials
 Test Examiner returns all testing materials to the Site
Assessment Leader
 Test Examiner returns the following to the Site Assessment
Leader in the unsealed secure return envelope.
 Task manipulatives
 Score recording forms
 Security form (One Security Form per Student’s Materials)
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SAL Returning Materials
 Check materials to ensure all materials for the school have been




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returned
 Security forms
 CoAlt secure materials envelope
Ensure all scores are entered into PearsonAccess
 All sessions are in Completed status
 All enrolled students are accounted for
Group materials:
 Secure return envelopes
 Used test books
 Unused test books
 Accommodated materials
Sign the Certification Form
Return materials to DAC
Score Reports
The same time as CMAS:
Science and Social Studies
score reports.
Summer 2015
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CoAlt Contacts
Karen Lutz
Assessment, Research and Evaluation
720-423-3020
karen_lutz@dpsk12.org
Patrick McGinty
Special Education Department
720-423-3361
patrick_mcginty@dpsk12.org
CoAlt Training
Congratulations!
You have completed CoAlt
Science and Social Studies
Training.
You will receive the Certificate
of Completion, pay for 2 hours
and your CoAlt Test Materials
during the week of October
27th.