West Virginia Assessments
WESTEST 2
WESTEST 2 is a custom-designed assessment for West Virginia students. The individual content assessments measure a student’s levels of performance on clearly defined standards and objectives and skills. Student scores are based on test questions that have been developed and aligned to the West Virginia 21st Century CSOs. WESTEST 2 Online Writing is a part of the reading/language arts portion of WESTEST 2. Sample test questions may be found on the Teach 21 website. The assessment results provide information about a student’s academic strengths, as well as areas that need improvement. The parent/guardian will receive a student report that indicates levels of performance in each of the content areas. Student performance is measured by West Virginia academic standards rather than a comparison to the performance of a national sample population of students. Results of the tests will be used by educators to improve student learning and performance.
APTA
The West Virginia Alternate Performance Task Assessment (APTA) is specifically designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities whose performance cannot be adequately assessed through the general assessment instrument, West Virginia Educational Standards Test 2 (WESTEST 2), even with accommodations.
APTA is given in grades 3-8 and 11 and assesses questions in three content areas: Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. A separate test was developed for each grade level in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics (grades 3-8 and 11) and in Science (grades 4, 6, and 11). The reading/language arts content area of the test addresses the three content standards of (1) reading, (2) writing, and (3) media literacy. The mathematics content area of the test addresses the five content standards of (1) number and operations, (2) algebra, (3) geometry, (4) measurement, and (5) data analysis and probability. The science content area of the test addresses the two content standards of (1) nature and application of science and (2) content of science
APTA test items were developed by West Virginia educators and reviewed by staff of the West Virginia Department of Education Office Assessment, Acountability and Research (OAAR), the Office of Special Education and CTB/McGraw-Hill, Inc., the test publisher. Each question was examined for bias, content, difficulty, and alignment with the West Virginia Extended Academic Content Standards and Performance Descriptors as described in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2520.16: Alternate Academic Achievement Standards for West Virginia Schools.
APTA Eligibility Criteria
- The student must have a current IEP;
- Multidisciplinary evaluation and educational performance data support the following:
- The student exhibits significant impairment of cognitive abilities and adaptive skills to the extent that he/she requires instruction in the West Virginia Alternate Academic Achievement Standards linked to the WV 21st Century Content Standards and Objectives (CSO’s) and access skills (social, motor and communication) not directly addressed in the CSOs, but embedded in instructional standards-based activities.
- The student cannot participate in the WESTEST 2 and other components of the WV-MAP, even with accommodations. The reasons why the student cannot participate must be clearly stated on the IEP.
- In addition, if the student is fourteen years of age or older, and has been determined by the IEP Team that the student is unable to complete the state and county standard graduation requirements necessary to earn a standard diploma, even with extended learning opportunities and significant instructional modifications, the student will work toward a modified diploma. Please note, not all students earning a modified diploma must take the APTA; however, students working toward a standard diploma do not meet criteria for the APTA.
- If the student meets all of the criteria, the IEP document must include a justification statement for the APTA. For additional information, see Policy 2510, Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education Programs
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