PAAP Updates
PAAP ListServe Postings
2011-12 Workshops
Adoption of Alternate Achievement Standards & Cut Scores
On June 28-30, 2010, the Department through its assessment contractor, Measured Progress, conducted a standards validation process to establish 2010 achievement level cut scores for Maine's alternate assessment, the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP).
On July 1, Department alternate assessment personnel reviewed the results from the validation process and provided recommendations for appropriate cut scores based on that data.
Click here to view Acting Commissioner Faherty's Letter of Memorandum.
The Maine Alternate Assessment Achievement Level Descriptors
The final versions of the PAAP Achievement Level Descriptors are now available for the use of Maine parents, teachers, and other educators. Maine content area Achievement Level Descriptors (ALD) outline the expectations for students participating in State level assessments. There are general descriptors as well as more specific descriptors focused on particular grade levels.
The Achievement Level Descriptors can be found on the Materials & Tools page of this website.
PAAP Workshop Cancellation Policies
Storm Cancellations: Generally we will only cancel a workshop if the school district in which the workshop is held closes due to the weather (for example: for a workshop held in Portland, we will be watching to see if Portland Schools close). In rare instances, depending on the way a storm plays out, the decision to cancel a workshop might be made the afternoon before the scheduled session.
In the event of a cancellation, we make every effort to notify all contact people by e-mail or by telephone. In addition, a notice would be posted on the website, and notification of a new date would be circulated as soon as possible.
Registration Cancellations: MDOE must be notified of all registration cancellations at least seven day before the scheduled workshop. School districts will be charged a $25.00 fee for each no-show.
PAAP ListServe
The PAAP ListServe has been established to help provide improved communications related to the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio, accommodations, instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities, and other associated issues.
Through this online service, we will be able to disseminate information in a timely manner to all subscribers. Information might include, but will not necessarily be limited to, links to pertinent websites, supplementary training materials, responses to questions of general interest that are submitted by subscribers, and changes in Federal law or rules that impact alternate assessment.
Subscribe today!
ListServe Postings
February Updates (2/1/12)
March 1st Enrollment Deadline
All students must be enrolled within the Task Bank no later than March 1st, 2012 in order to receive return material kits.
10th Grade Preliminary PAAP
To maintain the parallel relationship between the general assessment and the alternate assessment experience, Maine has reduced the grade 10 PAAP by requiring students to complete only the first task for each required AGLE/Indicator at the high school level for reading and mathematics.
More information about the 10th Grade PAAP Guidelines can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/education/lsalt/paap/materialstools/index.htm.
Online Task Summary Pages
Task Summery pages must be completed electronically this year. They will be used as the first round of scoring for each portfolio. More information about how to submit student scores in located on pages 20—21 of the Task Bank User’s Guide. The guide can be found on the homepage of the Task Bank and at: http://www.maine.gov/education/lsalt/paap/materialstools/index.htm.
Learner Characteristics Inventory (LC Inventory)
Each student file within the Task Bank has a button on the red bar titled “LC inventory” This is a brief inventory/survey designed to identify the characteristics of students who participate in alternate assessment. It also is part of a larger validity study required as part of No Child Left Behind. This survey must be completed electronically prior to submitting your student for scoring.
Maine's Alternate Assessment Seeks Educators for Bias Review Committee
We had a very quick response for the Bias Review Committee from special education teachers. However, we are still searching for general education teachers (2 each from middle school and high school).
The first meeting will be a webinar held on February 28th from 12-4 and the second meeting will be face-to-face on May 2nd at the Burton Cross Office Building in Augusta for a full day. Travel, food and overnight costs (if needed) will also be reimbursed.
Please share this with any reading teachers within your building that may be interested in participating (http://www.maine.gov/education/lsalt/paap/index.html).
Maine's Alternate Assessment Seeks Educators for Bias Review Committee (1/19/12)
The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) and Measured Progress are seeking Middle and High School Educators to serve on two Reading Bias Review Committees for Maine’s Alternate Assessment (PAAP). Committee members will be trained to review new PAAP reading items to ensure that they are free of bias and sensitivity issues prior to their use in the 2012-2013 PAAP administration. Previous experience with the PAAP is not required.
The first meeting will be held on February 28th from 12-4 via webinar and the second meeting on May 2nd at the Burton Cross Office Building in Augusta for a full day session. Preference will be given to those educators who can attend/participate in both sessions.
The committees will be comprised of at least 4 reading teachers (2 each from middle and high school) and 4 special educators (2 each from middle and high school).
For more information or to sign up, please contact Susan Fossett, Alternate Assessment and Accommodations Coordinator, MDOE, 624-6774 or susan.fossett at maine.gov
PAAP Task Bank Now Open! (12/1/11)
The secure online Task Bank is now available to all PAAP test administrators. The PAAP testing window is December 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012. Please ensure that all students are enrolled in the Task Bank no later than March1, 2012. The PAAP Task Bank may be accessed online (http://www.mecas.org/paap/taskbank/) and will serve three purposes: 1) accessing PAAP tasks for test administration; 2) PAAP student registration; and 3) first round scoring of the portfolio.
Those new to the PAAP Task Bank will be required to complete an online account by using the “Go to Registration Page” link on the upper left hand side of the Task Bank homepage.
Teachers who created an account last year will be able to enter the Task Bank without registering again. If you have forgotten your password, you may click the “I Forgot my Password” button for help or contact the Task Bank Help Desk at: 1-866-834-8880.
The PAAP 2011 Task Bank will serve as the student registration process! Measured Progress will ship return material kits to schools with PAAP students registered in the task bank as of March 1st.
Teachers will be required to electronically complete and submit the Task Summary pages for each AGLE/Indicator in order to serve as the first score of the scoring process.
Finally, The Maine Department of Education is working to creating several “Learning Modules” to assist in the administration process. The following modules should be available in early December:
- Module 1: Determining HOW a Student Participates in State Assessment
- Module 2:The Alternate Grade Level Expectations ~ AGLEs
- Module 3: Using the Task Bank
- Module 4: Types of Supports: Accommodations, Flexibility in Presentation and Levels of Assistance
- Module 5: Administering a PAAP ~ A Step by Step Guide
If there are additional “Learning Modules” you would like to see, please contact Susan Fossett, MDOE Alternate Assessment Coordinator at susan.fossett@maine.gov or 624-6774.
Archived ListServe Postings (All files PDF)
PAAP Return Shipping Materials Have Been Sent to Schools - 4/13/11
PAAP Information Regarding Students Who Move - 3/4/11
February PAAP Updates - 2/3/11
Important Information Regarding the PAAP Task Bank - 12/1/10
Webinar: PAAP Updates - Nov 8, 2010 at 3pm - 11/5/10
Workshop Announcement: Serving English Language Learners with Disabilities - 10/14/10
Alternate Assessment Alignment Work Phase 2 - 9/14/10
Registration for Fall 2010 PAAP Workshops is Now Open - 9/14/10
Welcome Back - Fall, 2010 - 9/1/10
Updated 2/1/12 -pb
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