Eight Steps to Effective Implementation of Alternate Assessments

Alternate assessments provide a way for students with even the most significant disabilities to be included in state and district assessment systems. Eight important steps are involved in successful state or districtwide implementation. This article describes each of the following steps: (a) inform stakeholders about the importance of alternate assessments in the context of school reform; (b) educate all students to the same high standards and expectations; (c) identify partners to support alternate assessment participants in their work toward high standards; (d) use a practical process to decide how students will participate in assessments; (e) develop standards-based IEPs and transition plans and integrate performance data with alternate assessments; (f) use a variety of assessment strategies to collect and compile alternate assessment data; (g) score alternate assessments, report results, and use the data for school improvement; and (h) evaluate alternate assessment implementation.