The new school year means that the alternate assessment process begins anew for eligible learners and their teachers!
However, each year presents its own set of challenges. Some teachers find themselves unrostered, uncertified, unregistered or unprepared to input essential data. There are instances of teachers entering data right at the onset of the test window, a practice that is discouraged. Additionally, some teachers wait too long in addressing alternate assessment concerns, reaching out with inquiries either during or after the test window has concluded.
Please review this document for information to help you support teachers of students who participate in alternate assessments so that teachers are certified, know the process and timelines, and will successfully teach and assess their students!
The Iowa Department of Education (DE) has sent out information about the 2021-22 Alternate Assessment Requirements and timelines. To be added to the DE emails and Google Site of resources, contact Jennifer Denne. A summary of timelines, some additional resources for teachers, and 2021-22 Professional Development opportunities through Heartland AEA are available here.
For Teachers: If you are teaching students who are on the alternate assessment, you must complete student profiles and certification training. This document contains the deadlines, new information and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Administrators: All teachers who have students on the alternate assessment must be certified as strategist II ID and complete certification training. Administrators are responsible for creating teacher accounts for the ELAA system, as well as creating rosters for DLM. This document contains deadlines, new information, and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Teachers: If you are teaching students who are on the alternate assessment, you must complete student profiles and certification training. This document contains the deadlines, new information and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.For Administrators: All teachers who have students on the alternate assessment must be certified as strategist II ID and complete certification training. Administrators are responsible for creating teacher accounts for the ELAA system, as well as creating rosters for DLM. This document contains deadlines, new information, and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Teachers: If you are teaching students who are on the alternate assessment, you must complete student profiles and certification training. This document contains the deadlines, new information and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Administrators: All teachers who have students on the alternate assessment must be certified as strategist II ID and complete certification training. Administrators are responsible for creating teacher accounts for the ELAA system, as well as creating rosters for DLM. This document contains deadlines, new information, and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Teachers: If you are teaching students who are on the alternate assessment, you must complete student profiles and certification training. This document contains the deadlines, new information and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Administrators: All teachers who have students on the alternate assessment must be certified as strategist II ID and complete certification training. Administrators are responsible for creating teacher accounts for the ELAA system, as well as creating rosters for DLM. This document contains deadlines, new information, and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Teachers: If you are teaching students who are on the alternate assessment, you must complete student profiles and certification training. This document contains the deadlines, new information and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
For Administrators: All teachers who have students on the alternate assessment must be certified as strategist II ID and complete certification training. Administrators are responsible for creating teacher accounts for the ELAA system, as well as creating rosters for DLM. This document contains deadlines, new information, and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources.
This is a reminder that any teacher supporting students with intellectual disabilities needs to be certified to administer an alternate assessment. The Early Literacy Alternate Assessment (ELAA) is for teachers of students with significant intellectual disabilities in K-6 who use the alternate assessment rather than the FAST. The Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) is the statewide assessment for students with significant intellectual disabilities in Grades 3-11 for whom alternate assessment has been designated by an IEP team.
Certification information should have been sent to district facilitators. The certification process for both tests is completed through self-directed online trainings in AEA PD Online Learning System. Districts decide how best to certify teachers. Most districts have teachers complete training early in the school year on district time in individual or small group sessions.
Heartland AEA will host two learning sessions for teachers of students with significant intellectual disabilities who participate in either the ELAA or DLM. AEA staff will support technical troubleshooting and answer questions. There is no formal training beyond the self-study.
Training Opportunities
Alternate Assessment Certification Training for K-6 ELAA
Sept. 5 or Sept. 26, 2019
8:30 a.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center
(Repeat session, teachers choose one or the other)
Register at this link using course #180545
Teachers must pass certification prior to administering the ELAA. State procedures require evidence to be collected starting the first week of school. Teachers who wait until Sept. 26 to be certified must familiarize themselves with and follow the evidence gathering requirements.
Alternate Assessment Certification Training for DLM grades 3-12
Sept. 5 or Sept. 26, 2019
12:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center
(Repeat session, teachers choose one or the other)
Register at this link using course #180544
Teachers must pass certification prior to administering the DLM. The first testing window closes Nov. 1, 2019.
Additional information on Alternate Assessment can be found on the Heartland AEA website or at the Iowa Department of Education website. The Iowa Department of Education will be sending district alternate assessment contacts more information via email.
Information on timelines and certification requirements for both the Early Literacy Alternate Assessment (ELAA, K-6) and the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM, Grades 3-11) has been sent out to district contacts. Note that Science for DLM is grades 5, 8 and 10 and that Grade 9 is now required as part of the state accountability work (DLM/ESSA).
Districts that do not have identified alternate assessment leads and/or have not received any information, contact Dr. Martin Ikeda, Heartland AEA Regional Director, at mikeda@heartlandaea.org.
Heartland AEA will be providing support to teachers for completing certification requirements. If districts have their own plans for certification, teachers do not need to attend these sessions. These are not "trainings" as the modules are self-guided, but will help teachers log into the system, complete the certification modules, and start navigating either the ELAA data system or the DLM. Note that teachers who sign up for DLM Certification support must be rostered into the Educator Portal at least one day prior to training.
Alternate Assessment Optional Certification Trainings for K-6 ELAA
Sept. 17, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Sept. 17, 2018
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Alternate Assessment Optional Certification Trainings for DLM grades 3-12
Sept. 14, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Sept. 14, 2018
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Oct. 16, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Oct. 16, 2018
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
