DD Council members should actively participate in the planning process for the DD Council 5-Year State Plan.
Some Councils convene a planning committee that work on a draft plan for the full Council to consider; some Councils have the full Council involved in every aspect of plan development. The details are left to the DD Council but must meet the overall requirement for participation.
Make sure the 5-year plan is worked and that progress is happening:
Council staff “do” the work. Often, the DD Council staff prepares a status report of activities taken up by council staff, council grantees, and others related to the implementation of the State plan. Council members demonstrate active participation by providing leadership and guidance for the overall direction of the plan, the approval of funding, the creation of initiatives and funding ideas, and through the on-going monitoring of what happened as a result of the DD Council’s investment of time and money.
Carla: ”Council members play a big role in keeping things on track and making sure that the activities in the 5-Year plan are in progress. Next, let’s take a closer look at what Council members do to achieve this. Select “Mark Complete” to continue.”
Accidents that occur in a state car must be reported to your supervisor and Fleet Management immediately.
If your state car breaks down or is experiencing car trouble, notify your supervisor and Fleet Management immediately.
If possible, stay with the car until a Fleet Management or designated representative arrives to help. Work with your supervisor to make alternate transportation arrangements.
If you experience car trouble with your personal car during work hours, notify your supervisor for assistance with transportation arrangements.
ARCs will review, discuss and complete the Participation Guidelines Documentation form to determine whether a student is eligible to participate in the Alternate Assessment (Alternate KSA). All ARC decisions based on the discussion must be documented in the conference summary or on the participation guidelines supporting evidence or notes section.
For example: The ARC should document that they explained the difference between the courses of study for the regular and alternate diploma to the ARC members, including the parents so that they are given the opportunity to ask questions.
Checking the box for the criteria on the guidelines form does not document the ARC decision. The ARC must document statements of their decisions based on their review and analysis of information.
The Alternate KSA is administered each year to students in grades 3-12 who meet the required criteria.
A student must meet ALL the following criteria to participate:
Receives special education services and has an Individual Education Program (IEP)
Has a significant cognitive disability
Requires extensive direct individualized instruction and substantial supports to achieve measurable gains in the grade and age-appropriate curriculum
Participation is not primarily the result of the exclusionary factors listed in the guidelines
For an EL student to participate, he/she must meet ALL the following criteria:
Meets the definition of a student with the most significant cognitive disability and
Meets the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Definition of English Learners(EL) on the English Learners page of the KDE website.
Note: If an EL is participating in the Alternate KSA, the student will be or already is participating in Alternate ACCESS.
Red Flag Considerations
Red flags will be identified throughout the module. These red flags may indicate that an ARC should further discuss and analyze the information. Additionally, the red flags may prompt ARCs to consider if the student is being assessed with the most appropriate assessment.
Red Flag = Indicator that something may need to be questioned or otherwise validated
The following include snapshots of each section of the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines Documentation form to be completed as an ARC.
Recommendation: It may be helpful to print or download a copy of the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines Documentation form to refer to during the module. The form is available on the Alternate KSA Instructional Resources page and under Course Resources with Lesson 1 of the Module.
This section lays out the steps an ARC should take when considering how a student will participate in Kentucky assessments.
There are multiple options for inclusion in the state assessment. These options should be considered in this order:
Participating in the general assessment WITHOUT accommodations
Participating in the general assessment WITH accommodations
Participating in the Alternate Assessment with accommodations
An ARC determines a student’s eligibility to participate in the alternate assessment annually and on an individual basis. Students must have a CURRENT education plan (IEP, 504, Program Service Plan) to participate. Decisions should be based on student’s present levels, evaluation information (progress monitoring), and work samples.
Discuss the General Assessment
An ARC should first discuss the possible participation in the general assessment for a student. Next, student information should be reviewed and decisions for considering the student for alternate assessment only if the ARC agrees that the student is unable to participate in the general assessment with accommodations and modifications.
Questions the ARC should ask:
Can the student participate in the general assessment without accommodations?
Can the student participate in the general assessment with accommodations? The ARC should review and discuss all
Can the student participate in the general assessment without accommodations?
Can the student participate in the general assessment with accommodations? The ARC should review and discuss all accommodations available for the general assessment.
If the student can participate in the general assessment with accommodations, has documentation of accommodations determination been reviewed and documented?
If the student can NOT participate in the general assessment with or without accommodations, then the ARC needs to document that decision and begin review and documentation of the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines.
Students demonstrating mild to moderate cognitive disabilities may be more appropriately placed in the general assessment with accommodations. Anticipated or past low achievement on the general assessment, other assessments or poor classroom performance does not mean the student should be taking the Alternate K-Prep.
As with all assessments, the alternate assessments are a snapshot of student performance based on grade-level expectations, however, they are just one data point to help understand a student’s academic progress.
The student’s IEP goals, alternate assessment score and a variety of other progress monitoring tools should be used throughout the school year to help the ARC plan the most appropriate instructional program to ensure the student is provided with a variety of meaningful post-secondary opportunities.
The Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines are intended to help guide an ARC in determining whether the Kentucky Alternate Assessment (Alternate KSA) based on alternate achievement standards, is the most appropriate assessment for an individual student with the most significant cognitive disability.
ARCs must consider a student’s individual characteristics when determining whether a student with a disability should participate in the general assessment with or without accommodations, or in an alternate assessment. This document outlines steps that an ARC should take in determining whether participating in the alternate assessment is appropriate for a student. Those steps include:
(a) reviewing student records, progress monitoring data and important information across multiple school years and multiple settings (e.g., school, home, community) and
(b) determining whether the student fits all the required criteria for participating in the alternate assessment as outlined in the participation guidelines document form.
To continue with the course, click Topic 1.1 below.
Assets are property owned by an individual under guardianship which may include: real property, personal property, stocks, bonds, trusts, life insurance, etc. An inventory is performed by Guardianship and valid assets are entered into KYGFIS. Utilizing your Help Manual, let’s practice in the Sandbox.
For technical issues with KYGFIS, contact Jessica Wayne at jessica.wayne@ky.gov.
Liabilities are financial obligations and can include credit card balances, home loans, or car loans owed by the individual under guardianship. Liabilities listed in KYGFIS can only be added or edited by staff in the Benefits or Fiduciary Branch.Utilizing your Help Manual, let’s practice in the Sandbox.
For technical issues with KYGFIS, contact Jessica Wayne at jessica.wayne@ky.gov.
Searching is a useful feature of KYGFIS. Using your search feature will make it quicker to locate records. Utilizing your Help Manual, let’s practice in the Sandbox.
For technical issues with KYGFIS, contact Jessica Wayne at jessica.wayne@ky.gov.
2.) Search for the individual under guardianship by Last Name, First Name (Doe, Jane). Use a name provided to you by your supervisor.
3.) Once you are in the individual’s case click on the transaction tab.
4.) Determine which column you want to search: Posted, Anticipated, Who, Total Cash Effect, Status, etc. Click on the selected column.
5.) There are two different types of transaction search options: “Search” and “Filter Column”. Filter Column will depend on which column you have selected. For the purpose of this practice click on the “Who” column.
6.) In the box next to search type a vendor name, for example, “US Treasury”. Click the “Search” button. The search field will also format your typing if a specific format is used in the column. Results will display based on your search field.
7.) In the box next to search type “Treasury”. Click the “Filter Who Column” button. Results will display any records that contain the string of letters or words anywhere within the name.
Payment requests will need to be made on behalf of an individual under guardianship. All payment requests will require approval from the region supervisor and an accountant. Utilizing your Help Manual, let’s practice in the Sandbox.
For technical issues with KYGFIS, contact Jessica Wayne at jessica.wayne@ky.gov.
2.) Search for the individual under guardianship by Last Name, First Name (Doe, Jane). Use a name provided to you by your supervisor.
3.) In the left hand navigation pane select the “Task” link. Click “Insert” to add a new task.
4.) Complete the requested information, including category, action, and details. A due date must be inserted.
Details about category and action drop downs can be found on page 2 in your Task Guide.
All active users will appear in the assignee drop down. Only a supervisor, branch manager, assistant director, or administrator can assign a task to other users. All users can assign tasks to themselves.
