Alternate Assessments
Purpose
State Board policy ACCT-021 requires all students with disabilities to participate in the statewide testing program by taking the standard test administration with or without available accommodations or by participating in an alternate assessment with or without accommodations. To participate in alternate assessments, students must meet eligibility criteria established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), and the decision to participate in the alternate assessments must be documented in their current Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
NCEXTEND1, College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment (CCRAA), and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
Eligibility Criteria for North Carolina Alternate Assessments:
- NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessments (Reading and Mathematics Grades 3-8, Science Grades 5 and 8, English II, Biology and NC Math 1 at Grade 10, and Grade 11)
- College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment (Grades 10 and 11)
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS (Grades 1-12)
Resources
- NCEXTEND1 Mathematics Grades 3–8 Achievement Level Ranges and Descriptors
- NCEXTEND1 Reading Grades 3–8 and English II Achievement Level Ranges and Descriptors
- NCEXTEND1 Science Grades 5 and 8 and Biology Achievement Level Ranges and Descriptors
- NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment at Grade 11 Achievement Level Ranges and Descriptors
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Released Items (Includes sample items, manipulative cards, and Reading selections) |
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Released items may be used by school systems to help acquaint students with items. These materials must not be used for personal or financial gain. Released items and assessments are copyrighted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and cannot be uploaded into third party applications. NCEXTEND1 released items may be accessed via https://center.ncsu.edu/ncextend1-release/.
Copyright Information
At this time, the released forms for NCEXTEND1 Reading may not include all of the reading selections because the NCDPI is finalizing the copyright requests for these tests. Due to budget constraints and the reluctance of copyright holders to grant printing rights via a Web site, the NCDPI has obtained permissions only for Web viewing of these selections. The download or use of these copyrighted materials is restricted by applicable license agreements obtained by the NCDPI and copyright law (Title 17, United States Code). Permission to use any copyrighted material must be obtained directly from the respective copyright holders. To contact the copyright holder, please see the Acknowledgments for each test form.
Alternate Assessments (Extended Content Standards)
Policy requires in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and ESSA all eligible students who are instructed using the Extended Content Standards in all assessed content areas (i.e., Mathematics, Reading, and Science) participate in the alternate assessment with or without accommodations.
- NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessments for Mathematics, Reading, and Science
- NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessments for NC Math 1, English II, and Biology at Grade 10
- College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment at Grade 10
- College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment at Grade 11
English Learners
WIDA™ Screener
- Federal law (Title I of ESSA) and North Carolina State Board of Education (TEST-011) policies require all K–12 students identified as English Learners (ELs) through the Home Language Survey process upon initial enrollment be assessed for English language proficiency. The state instrument for identification of ELs is the WIDATM Screener. Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0) is North Carolina’s required assessment that complies with Title I of the ESSA legislation; School Achievement, Growth, Performance Scores, and Grades (G.S. §115C-83.15); and School Performance for the Purpose of Compliance with Federal Law (G.S. §115C-83.16).
- Policy requires in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and ESSA all eligible students who are instructed using the Extended Content Standards in all assessed content areas (i.e., Reading, Mathematics, and Science) participate in the alternate assessment with or without accommodations.