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Technical Assistance for Improving the Oklahoma Modified Alternate Assessment Program (OMAAP)

This project is designed to improve Oklahoma’s Modified Alternate Assessment Program (OMAAP) by focusing on three aspects of concern identified in the state’s initial field test of the OMAAP:

1. Refining OMAAP reading passages to increase accessibility to grade-level reading content through a three-phase process of (a) identifying barriers to reading accessibility via cognitive interviews, teacher surveys, and a literature review; (b) conducting an experimental study of alternative presentation and response formats for improving reading accessibility; and (c) refining the reading assessment test design to increase accessibility.
2. Strengthening technical quality elements of the OMAAP, as specified in the U.S. Department of Education's peer review process, by convening annually a panel of experts in psychometrics, measurement, and accommodations to (a) identify needed modifications to existing technical documentation for the assessments; (b) provide feedback on the appropriateness of the design, analysis, and interpretation of supporting tests; and (c) suggest additional tests needed to strengthen the evidence base.
3. Evaluating OMAAP participation and refining guidelines and training, including (a) identifying the characteristics of students who participate in the OMAAP; (b) evaluating and modifying the eligibility and participation criteria for OMAAP; (c) developing clear and appropriate guidelines for individualized education program (IEP) teams to use in determining which students should be assessed on the basis of modified academic achievement standards; (d) developing and providing training on those guidelines for IEP teams; (e) developing a monitoring system to ensure implementation of IEP guidelines; and (f) evaluating the use of allowable testing accommodations.

(U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 2007-2010)

Key Staff

Renee Cameto, Angela DeBarger, Geneva Haertel, Anne-Marie Knokey, Kathryn Morrison, Katherine Nagle