Florida schools are based off of certain standards. Each child has to master these standards, in order to be “proficient” in the skill taught. Most students, will have no problem mastering the standards required by the state of Florida. However, some students, especially those who are special needs, or have certain disabilities, will have difficulty learning all of the curriculum taught in their certain grade level. The curriculum taught to students, is driven by the Sunshine State standards, instructional strategies, and assessment.
“In Florida, …show more content…
The use of allowable statewide assessment accommodations is based on current instructional accommodations and the accessible instructional materials that are used regularly by the student in the classroom. This is usually labeled inside of the child’s IEP folder.
For these students who do have these accommodations, The Florida Alternate Assessment is a standards-based achievement test designed specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
“The alternate assessment design for Florida is based on the Sunshine State Standards Access Points for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities in Language Arts (Reading and Writing), Mathematics, and Science. It is expected that only students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA will participate in the Florida Alternate Assessment” (FLDOE. FAA).
‘Student, school, district, and state results are reported in May. Performance scores ranging from 0 to 144, in grades 3-10 in Reading and Math, and grades 5, 8, and 11 in Science, and grades 4, 8, and 10 in Writing are reported. Proficiency levels are reported from Level 1 through Level 9 with Levels 4 through 9 being considered “proficient”(