615 - Basic Standards Testing, Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEP, SEction 504 Accommodation, and LEP Students

I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the policy is to provide adequate opportunity for students identified as having individualized education program (IEP), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504 (504) accommodation, or limited English proficiency (LEP) needs to meet the graduation requirements of basic skills testing and graduation-required assessments for diploma (GRAD) tests.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
A. The school district will utilize the existing annual review of IEPs or 504 accommodation plans to review, on a case-by-case basis, the extent of student participation in basic skills testing and GRAD testing. For students subject to GRAD testing, the student’s IEP or 504 accommodation plan must identify one of the following decisions for each subject area of GRAD:
1. the student is expected to achieve the statewide standard with or without testing accommodations resulting in a “pass” or “p” notation on the record when achieving a passing score; or
2. the student is expected to achieve the statewide standard at an individually modified level of difficulty, resulting in a “pass” or “p” notation on the record when achieving the modified level. A Minnesota alternative assessment must be used when an IEP team chooses to replace the GRAD. Adoption of modifications for a student must occur concurrently with the adoption of transition goals and objectives as required by Minn. Stat. § 125A.08(a)(1). The IEP or 504 accommodation plan must define an appropriate assessment of the statewide standard at a modified level of difficulty. Achievement of the individually modified standard shall be certified only through documented student performance of the defined assessment.

Students subject to GRAD testing also must be tested under standard conditions as specified by the developer of the test except those students whose IEP or 504 accommodation plan specified other decisions consistent wit the above stated requirements.

B. Students with LEP needs must be identified and accommodations made for students subject to basic skills testing. Students subject to GRAD testing are required to pass the GRAD if they have been enrolled in any Minnesota school for at least four consecutive years. An English language learner (ELL) student who first enrolls in a Minnesota school in grade 9 or above who completes the coursework and any other state and district requirements to graduate within a four year period is not required to pass the GRAD.

III. DEFINITION OF TERMS
See the “Procedures Manual for the Minnesota Assessments” for the current school year which can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE’s) website at: http://education.state.mn.us, then click on “Accountability Programs,” followed by “Assessment and Testing,” and “Policies, Procedures & Guidelines.”

IV. GRANTING AND DOCUMENTING ACCOMMODATIONS, MODIFICATIONS, OR EXEMPTIONS FOR BASIC SKILLS AND GRAD TESTING
See Chapter 5 of the “Procedures Manual for the Minnesota Assessments” for the current school year, which can be found on MDE’s website at: http://education.state.mn.us, then click on “Accountability Programs,” followed by “Assessment and Testing,” and “Policies, Procedures & Guidelines.”

V. RECORDS
All test accommodations, modifications, or exemptions shall be recorded on IEPs and 504 plans and shall be reported to the School District Test Administrator. Testing results will be documented and reported.

Adopted: 1-11-2010; Revised: 4-11-2011

Download: 615 Policy