Implementation Considerations
District-wide assessments are tests given at the district level and can apply to students in all grade levels (4K-12). Districts often use district-wide formative or interim assessments as part of a strategic assessment plan to inform instruction and benchmark or monitor a student’s progress. It is important that IEP teams consider all of those assessments and any needed accommodations (as appropriate). 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2).
District-wide assessments extend beyond screeners or interim assessments. District-wide assessments include the high school civics test requirement and the assessment for reading readiness. While required by state law, both the assessment of reading readiness (required for 4k-2nd grade) and the statewide civics graduation requirement are a responsibility at the district level. Therefore, they are considered a district-wide assessments, and the determination about the student’s participation should be documented on I-7 District-wide Assessment form.
Students with disabilities must be included in district-wide assessments unless the IEP team determines that an alternate to the district-wide assessment is appropriate. Alternate assessments are intended only for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. For more details about the definition of “most significant cognitive disability,” review the participation guidelines for alternate assessment, DPI Model Form I-7-A. If the student will be taking an alternate district-wide assessment, the participation guidelines for alternate assessment form must be included with the IEP.
IEP teams will need to have access to accommodations guidelines for the district-wide assessment(s) their district uses at each grade level in order to ensure the assessments are not invalidated.
Form Content and Explanations
Content: District-wide assessment. Explanation: Complete this section if the student is taking district-wide assessment(s) including the civics exam and assessment for reading readiness.
Content: Civics test requirement. Explanation: The IEP team must consider whether the student will take the civics test and whether or not accommodations are needed. Wisconsin statute requires that students graduating from a Wisconsin high school take a civics test comprised of 100 questions that are identical to the 100 questions that may be asked of an individual during the process of applying for U.S. citizenship by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Wis. Stat. §§ 118.33(1m)(a)1. and 2. Parents do not have the ability to "opt out” their student from this test; however, a student’s IEP team may decide the test is not appropriate for the student and the student does not have to take the test. Although a student with an IEP must take the civics test unless the IEP team determines it is not appropriate, an LEA may not condition graduation on the successful completion of the test. If the student has already taken the civics test, check the box, “The student has already taken the civics test.” If the student is not in high school, check “The student is not eligible.” Students are eligible to take the civics test until they graduate with a regular diploma or reach maximum age (21).
If the IEP team determines it appropriate to administer the civics test, check the applicable box and document the civics test in the district-wide assessment table to consider and document whether accommodations are needed. If the IEP team determines it is not appropriate to administer the high school civics test to the student, the box documenting that it is not appropriate must be checked and the student does not have to participate in the test. For additional information, review the department's Frequently Asked Questions about Act 55/Civics Test Graduation Requirement.
Content: District-wide assessment(s) the student will take. Explanation: Consider the district’s practice for district-wide assessment(s). List all district-wide assessment(s) the student will take, including the civics test, if appropriate. 34 CFR § 300.320; Wis. Stat. § 115.787. Use a separate row for each assessment.
Content: Are accommodations needed? (yes/no). Explanation: For each district-wide assessment in which the student will participate, indicate whether or not the student will need accommodations. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(i); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e).
Content: If yes, describe the accommodations needed. Explanation: If the student will be in a grade where a district-wide assessment will be given, the IEP must include a statement of any individual appropriate accommodations that are necessary to measure the academic achievement and functional performance of the student on district-wide assessments. If the IEP team determines the student needs an accommodation on a district-wide assessment, it must be provided. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(i); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e). List the needed accommodations.
Content: Alternate assessment(s) the student will take. Explanation: If the IEP team determines that a student will take an alternate district-wide assessment, the IEP must include the name of the assessment, a statement of why the student cannot participate in the general education district-wide assessment and why the particular alternate assessment is appropriate. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(ii); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e)2. Consider the district’s practice for district-wide assessment(s). List each alternate assessment the student will take on a separate row.
Content: Describe why the student cannot participate in the district-wide assessment. Explanation: If the IEP team determines the student will take an alternate district-wide assessment, the IEP must describe why the student cannot participate in the regular assessment as required under state law. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(ii); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e)2.
Content: Describe why the particular alternate district-wide assessment is appropriate. Explanation: If the IEP team determines the student will take an alternate district-wide assessment, the IEP must describe why the particular alternate assessment chosen is appropriate as required under state law. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(ii); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e)2.
Content: Are accommodations needed? (yes/no). Explanation: Indicate whether or not the student will need accommodations on each district-wide assessment. 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(6)(i); Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(e).
Content: If yes, describe the accommodations needed. Explanation: If the student will be in a grade where a district-wide assessment will be given and an alternate assessment will be provided, the IEP must include a statement of any individual appropriate accommodations that are necessary to measure the academic achievement and functional performance of the student on alternate district-wide assessments. If the IEP team determines the student needs an accommodation on an alternate district-wide assessment, it must be provided. List the needed accommodations.