NCSCNational Center and State
Collaborative
Students with Significant Cognitive
Disabilities
The Least Dangerous Assumption
We assume that students with the most significant cognitive
disabilities are competent and able to learn, and we support
increased educational opportunities in a range of learning
environments.
Defining, Teaching and
Assessing Content for Students
with Significant Cognitive
Disabilities
NCSC Phase 1 Pilot Test
Grades 3-8 and 11
Mathematics,
Reading and
Writing
NCSC Assessment
• The NCSC assessment is for
students with significant
cognitive disabilities , and is an
alternate assessment based on
alternate academic achievement
standards (AA-AAS)
NCSC Assessment
•The assessment is
designed with the
assumption that all
students can communicate
if given the means to do so
Participation Guidelines
• A student’s IEP team will determine if
this assessment is appropriate to
administer using the NCSC
Participation Guidelines
http://www.ncscpartners.org/Media/
Default/PDFs/Resources/NCSC_Partici
pation_Guidelines-Nov-2013.pdf
Comparison
Alternate Portfolio
Assessment
NCSC
Grades 3-8 Literacy and Math, Grade 9 Grades 3-8 and 11 Literacy and Math
Math, and Grade 11 literacy, (not
(not including science)
including science)
Aligned to Arkansas Frameworks
Aligned to Common Core State
Standards
September to March collection
1.5 to 2 hours per content area per
student
Human scorers
Electronic scoring except writing
Pictures, video, work product
Electronic Format
At least 57 Pieces of evidence
30 Multiple choice items max per
content area and writing
NCSC Assessment
Test questions will be at four levels of
complexity so that students with the most
significant cognitive disabilities can
demonstrate their knowledge and skills
when they have received content
instruction in the classroom
NCSC Assessment
The assessment will consist of
approximately 30 items for each subject
tested
• Most items are selected response (multiple
choice)
• Writing will be assessed by constructed
response
 Responses can be constructed in many
ways including words and picture symbols
NCSC Assessment
• The assessment will take approximately
1.5-2 hours to administer the math sessions
and an equivalent amount of time to
administer the literacy sessions
 Students can be assessed in smaller
blocks of time during the testing
window
NCSC Assessment - Technology
• The assessment will be administered
using technology in a variety of ways
 Some students will respond directly into the
online system
 Some students will take a paper-pencil version
of the test
 The teacher may enter student responses into
the computer for students who are unable to
do so
Pilot Test Dates
• 2/14/2014 Administrator’s Training
• 3/17-4/18 Math Pilot Window
• 3/11-4/15 Literacy Pilot Window
Pilot Test Dates
• These dates have been changed from
the original dates published in
earlier webinars.
• Information will be announced to the
schools as soon as it has been
confirmed with NCSC.
Registration
• The registration window will be open
until the end of the month.
• If your school has not registered,
there is still time to get your school
district involved.
• www.ctb.com/NCSCPilot.
What can schools
be doing to get
ready?
Instructional Supports and
Resources for Teachers
https://arksped.k12.ar.us/caAssess
ment.html
http://www.ncscpartners.org/resou
rces-cop-presentations
Arkansas Contact Information
Charlotte Marvel - 682-5296
Jennifer Brown - 682-4296
Suzanne Knowles – 682-5161
Questions???
Type in chat box or email one
of us after the webinar
Firstname.lastname@arkansas.gov