The Development of a Computer-Based Alternate Assessment System

Abstract

This article describes the development of an alternate assessment system for students with moderate to severe disabilities. The system integrates what is known about effective feedback in classroom assessment with broader requirements for system accountability under the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 105-17). The alternate assessment provides teachers with customized computer software and documentation tools that are used to collect meaningful student performance data from multiple sources on an ongoing basis. The assessment system evolved through an extensive committee process during which input from a variety of stakeholders was sought. The development process is summarized and the computer-based rating and documentation system is described, including the technical adequacy of the resulting alternate assessment.