Virginia Grade Level Assessment Program
established during the end of the 2004-2005 school year
The Virginia Grade Level Alternative Assessment Program (VGLA) is designed to comply with the requirements for the population of students who meet VGLA program participation criteria. The VGLA is available for students enrolled in grades 3-8. The VGLA will use a body of evidence to demonstrate student proficiency on Virginia Standards of Learning for a given course or content area.
To qualify for the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) assessment, a student’s IEP team/504 committee must determine that a student is eligible based on answering the following questions for each content area considered: (a "No" for any question indicates that the student is NOT eligible for the VGLA for that content area.)
1) Does the student have a current IEP/ 504-plan?
2) Does the student demonstrate his/her individual achievement of Standards of
Learning content through means other than multiple-choice formats?
3) As a result of a disability, the student is unable to demonstrate his/her individual
achievement on the Standards of Learning test for the assigned course or grade level
using available standard and/or non-standard accommodations and/or formats?
The decision to participate in the Virginia Grade Level Alternative Assessment should not be based solely on information regarding:
a. Poor attendance; b. English as a Second Language; c. Social, cultural, and economic differences; d. Disruptive behavior; e. Student’s reading level; f. Expectations of poor performance; g. Amount of time receiving special education services; h. Low achievement in general education; i. Categorical disabilities labels; j. Level of intelligence; or k. Place where the student receives services.
Since the VGLA was introduced to local divisions very late in the school year, not all divisions chose to participate in this first year. However, early reports from school divisions that did participate indicate very high pass rates.
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The Lynchburg City School Board heard good news this week on end-of-year assessments for special education students.
According to administrators, 99 percent of students passed the Virginia Alternative Assessments, and administrators anticipate that 96 percent of students will pass the state grade-level alternative assessments.
Both assessments provide disabled students with alternatives to taking the Standards of Learning exams. The assessments provide a different way to evaluate their learning.
Administrators and School Board members praised special education teachers after the results were announced.
Of those students who took the alternative assessments, 79 percent were rated advanced proficient, 20 percent proficient and 1 percent in need of improvement. ...
Preliminary numbers show that overall pass rates in third- grade math and science, fifth- grade English and eighth-grade English are expected to be at 100 percent. In third-grade English, 96 percent of students are expected to pass; in fifth-grade math, 97 percent; and in eight-grade math, 83 percent. .....
Steve Smith, Lynchburg City Schools assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said that the results will impact accreditation and Adequate Yearly Progress measures. .....