CCSS students participate in Alternate Assessments:
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM):
DLM Essential Elements is designed to assess skills in English Language Arts and Mathematics for student with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3 through 8 and 11. This represents a very small number of students. The DLM is based on alternate achievement standards which have been derived from and are aligned with the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards (MCCRS). The overall goal of the DLM is to make sure that all students achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school ready for post-school options.
The DLM is an online assessment of approximately 30 test items that assess ten prioritized content targets per grade level in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The assessment includes multiple choice items and constructed response items. Each content target is assessed by items that have been carefully and intentionally designed to assess a range of ability and performance.
DLM Parent Information
Alternate Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (Alt MISA):
The Alternate Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (Alt-MISA), also known as Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM), is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities for whom the general education science assessment (MISA) is not appropriate, even with accommodations. The Alt-MISA is based on alternate achievement standards which have been derived from and are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students who take the Alt-MISA assessments are instructed and assessed on Essential Elements (EEs). EEs are grade-level specific expectations about what students with the most significant cognitive disabilities should know and be able to do. Each science EE has three linkage levels which specify where a student is in relationship to the grade level target. The target linkage level is the highest, while the other two linkage levels (initial and precursor) are lower in complexity, depth, and breadth.
The Alt-MISA is an online, stage adaptive, assessment comprised of 9 “testlets” for each grade level assessed. Each testlet is completed in one setting, and consists of an engagement activity and three to five test items. Each testlets covers one EE. Each engagement activity is designed to motivate students, provide a context, and activate prior knowledge. All test items are in a multiple choice format.