Alternate assessments of modified achievement standards: More accessible and less difficult tests to advance assessment practices?

Amendments to the No Child Left Behind Act allow for a portion of students with disabilities within each state to be tested via an alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards, and as a result, the performance of 2% or slightly more of these students can be reported as proficient for purposes of adequate yearly progress. This policy calls for tests composed of easier items in the same content areas as a state's general achievement test and for guidelines for identifying eligible students with disabilities who have persistent academic difficulties. Promising methods for reducing the difficulty of test items without underrepresenting the target construct include simplifying language, removing incorrect answer choices, bolding key words, and making graphics clearer. The policy also allows for distinct performance criteria (proficiency standards) and associated cut scores for interpreting the results of these tests to be established. Consequences for each of these changes are hypothesized within the context of better measurement of student achievement, inclusive assessment practices, and state accountability systems.