State Standards & Assessments
Alternate Standards Assessment Guide
In order to enable the individual student to achieve grade-level content standards or close the learning gap, the delivery of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) is the core job responsibility of special education providers. SDI consists of organized and planned evidence-based content, methodology, and/or delivery in an explicit and intentional manner which directly targets the skill deficits within data-based goals and objectives which may include social-emotional/behavioral, communication, daily living, adaptive, and core academic skills.
Common Core Essential Elements
These are specific statements of the content and skills that are linked to the Common Core State Standards grade level specific expectations for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Common Core State Standards Initiative
The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.
M-STEP Student Supports and Accommodations
The M-STEP is an online assessment designed to determine how well students are mastering state standards. The standards broadly outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be prepared to enter the workplace, career education training, and college.
IEP teams must identify what Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations are necessary to address student needs and document those needs on the student’s IEP. It should be noted that while it is not required for some supports to be listed on an IEP for the student to access them, if they are required to meet a student’s need based on disability, they must be documented in the IEP.
MI-Access
MI-Access is Michigan's alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards. The IEP Team determines if a student should take the MI-Access (alternate assessment) or the M-STEP (general assessment) based on the students' Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) and using and Michigan Department of Education's Should My Student Take the Alternate Assessment.
