The purpose of this project is to develop and validate a system for recommending test participation and use of accommodations in large-scale testing programs.

We accomplish this outcome by (a) having teachers rate the appropriateness of sample test items that are similar to those used on the standard test, the alternate assessment judged against modified achievement standards, and the alternate assessment judged against alternate achievement standards; (b) asking teachers about their perceptions of students' academic skills proficiencies, students' abilities to perform classroom activities, and the use of specific types of assistance to help students succeed in learning, (c) documenting students' performance in silent reading/comprehension, maze vocabulary, and mathematics computation problems, (d) recommending various accommodations from those approved in the state testing program, and (e) training on the use of typically adopted test accommodations, including guiding principles and operational practices.

In the spring of 2008, we are conducting a small pilot, with a formal study being implemented in the fall of 2008. Your participation in this pilot will enable us to provide teachers a valuable tool for systematically making recommendations on accommodations.