Understanding the
Background:
·
The
CMA is designed to assess those students whose disabilities preclude them from
achieving grade-level proficiency on an assessment (CST) of the
·
Students
will either take the STAR CST tests
or the CMA test or a combination of
CSTs and CMAs as determined by subject. Ex: a student may qualify and take CMA
for ELA, but CST for Math.
·
The
CMA, while based on student’s current grade level content, is less rigorous
than the CST.
·
Except
for the writing tasks in Grades 4 and 7, the questions on the test are in a
multiple-choice format. Students are presented with a question and asked to
select the correct answer from three possible response options.
·
The
CMA questions are presented differently from other STAR Program tests in that
the font is larger, reading passages are shorter, and more graphics are
included.
·
The
CMA has been developed to provide an alternative assessment so students can better demonstrate their knowledge of the
·
The
CMA assesses students with IEPs who meet CMA participation criteria approved by
the State Board of Education
Tests Available in CMA:
•
Grades
3-11 in English Language Arts (includes grades 4 and 7 in Writing)
•
Grades
3-7 in math
•
Grades
7-11 in Algebra 1 (no grade 8 General math test for CMA)
•
Grades
8-11 in Geometry
•
Grade 5 and
8 in Science
•
Grade 10
in Life Science
Criteria for Use:
The decision
to use the CMA instead of the CST during STAR testing is an IEP team decision
based on student needs.
The IEP team
consists of Special Ed Dept, ES, Parent/Guardian of student under 18 years of
age, student if 18 years or older.
The criteria
for guiding individualized education program (IEP) teams in making decisions
about which students with disabilities should participate in the California
Modified Assessment (CMA) include the following:
Ø The student shall have taken the
California Standards Test (CST) in a previous year and scored Below Basic or
Far Below Basic in the subject area being assessed by the CMA and may have
taken the CST with modifications.
Ø The student will not receive a
proficient score on the CST (even with provision of accommodations) based on
evidence from multiple, valid, and objective measures of student progress (or
lack of progress)
Ø
The
student who is assessed with the CMA has access to the curriculum, including
instruction and materials for the grade in which the student is enrolled
Ø
The
student’s IEP plan includes grade-level
Ø
The
student has received special education and related services to support access
to and progress in the general curriculum in which the student is enrolled
Ø
The
IEP team has determined that the student will not achieve grade-level
proficiency even with instructional intervention
Ø If the student previously participated
in CAPA testing, the student shall have taken the CAPA Level 2–5 in two
previous years and received a performance level of either Proficient or
Advanced
Criteria for Science:
Since the science assessments are not given prior to grade five, a student may fill the first participation criterion if the student:
Ø
has
taken the California Standards Test (CST) in a previous year, and
Ø
scored Below Basic or Far Below Basic in
English-language arts (ELA) or mathematics, and may have taken the CST with
accommodations and/or modifications.
The participation criteria requirement
(above) that an IEP include “grade-level
Traditionally, IEP goals address
English-language arts, math, and prerequisite skills. Other content areas are
usually addressed by related goals, supports and related services. Science, for
example, might be addressed by having a goal for vocabulary development that
can support the student learning science vocabulary, and in the science
classroom, can aid the student in gaining access to the science curriculum.
ES Preparation for CMA discussion in
IEP meeting:
The
Assessment Department will email the ES if their student fits the criteria of
CST scoring history. The ES will discuss the option of the CMA and provide the
parent with CMA resources. The discussion of the CMA options and students
complete eligibility will be discussed during the IEP meeting by all persons
involved.
Resources:
Look at the
differences between the CST, and the CMA test examples
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/ag/ag/yr07/documents/bluenov07item14a6.pdf
Look over and
provide appropriate CMA blueprint sheets to parents:
CMA
Blueprints: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/cmablueprints.asp
CMA Science
Reference Sheets: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/cmasciref.asp
CDE questions
and answers on CMA
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/guidecma08.asp
http://www.startest.org/cma.html