Measured Progress to Develop Systems Architecture for Multi-State Alternate Assessment Project

DOVER, N.H., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Center and State Collaborative - General Supervision Enhancement Grant (NCSC GSEG) has chosen Measured Progress to create the systems architecture for a technology-enabled platform to deliver next-generation assessments for students with disabilities.

The NCSC GSEG initiative, comprised of five national centers and 19 states, seeks to build an alternate assessment system based on alternative achievement standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The collaborative will also develop curriculum, instruction, and training support for special education teachers. The partnership is led by the National Center on Educational Outcomes at the University of Minnesota.  

Measured Progress will design the architecture to underpin an alternate assessment platform that is highly integrated and which offers an array of components, including assessment delivery, item banking, scoring, reporting, administrative support, testing accommodations, and interim assessments. All 19 states intend to adopt the platform for their alternate assessment programs. 

The requirements and intent of the NCSC GSEG initiative dovetail with Measured Progress's commitment to develop assessments for all students. The company is a pioneer in alternate testing for students who are unable to participate in the general assessment. Measured Progress currently administers alternate assessments in Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington. In addition, Measured Progress's NimbleTools software provides seamless, computer-delivered testing accommodations, such as read-aloud or magnification of text, to students who require them.

The NCSC GSEG initiative represents the culmination of a decade of research to identify learner characteristics for students with significant cognitive disabilities and to determine best practices in assessment, instruction, and communication for this population of students. The collaborative's leaders and partners view the effort as an opportunity to ensure that students with cognitive disabilities benefit from the national movement toward Common Core State Standards.

"Every child has the right to learn and to have that learning measured," said Measured Progress President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Borg. "We are honored to work with NCSC GSEG to develop the technological underpinnings to reinforce that conviction by building the best means possible of assessing special populations."

Measured Progress is a non-profit organization committed to improving teaching and learning in the standards-based classroom. Since its founding in 1983, the company has worked with more than half the states on programs that have touched millions of students. Measured Progress helps local educators through the provision of assessment products and services that help teachers understand and use assessment data to pinpoint instructional needs. At Measured Progress, it's all about student learning. Period. To learn more, please visit www.measuredprogress.org

SOURCE Measured Progress