Subject: Special Education
Grade Level(s): 3 – 8
Measures Growth: No
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The Indiana Modified Achievement Standards Test is a set of multiple-choice-only assessments for ELA, math, science and social studies. Any component of the test may be administered to any student meeting the criteria for alternate assessment in that particular subject area (for example, a student may take the IMAST in ELA and the ISTEP+ in all other subject areas). The tests are available for students in grades 3-8.
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach • Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Does not assess higher-order thinking • Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly • Data is presented clearly
Cons: Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
IMAST is an okay assessment, but only using multiple choice questions does not show what students are capable of in the area of critical responses necessary to analyze literature and non-fictional reading selections.
Submitted by Robin in Indiana on April 10, 2013
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