For the Spring 2015 AMP there is no calculator accommodation available on the math test for students in grades 3, 4, and 5. Many of the math questions for these grades are testing students’ arithmetic skills, so the use of a calculator would be considered a modification, not an accommodation.
Here is the longer statement from the test administration directions posted on EED’s webpage:“Alaska mathematics standards were developed with a strong focus on building foundational skills and fluency in arithmetic, specifically in Kindergarten through grade 5. Arithmetic is a foundational skill that requires fluency as well as building conceptual richness, which is a precursor for algebraic concepts. The standards were developed to have students gain a deeper understanding of mathematics and to use a variety of strategies to come to mathematical solutions. Thus, working with numbers by hand was purposeful in the design of the standards in the formative grades. Based on this information, calculators are not allowable for grades 3, 4, and 5 on the AMP assessment.”
The calculators that are embedded into the new computer-based assessment are available for grades 6 through 10 on Sections 1-3 of the math assessment. No calculators are allowed on Section 4 of the math test. The calculator for grades 6 -10 is a Universal Tool, meaning it will be available to all students taking the computer-based AMP in those grades. Students can log in to the technology practice tests at any time to get familiar with using these calculators (more info here: http://eed.state.ak.us/akassessments/techpractest.html).
** A number of people noticed glitches with the built in calculators during AMP It Up Day. If you find students having problems with the calculators, or any of the other computer-based testing features, please report them to AAI’s technical support by emailing amp_support@ku.edu or contact your building test coordinator so that any problems can be addressed before the summative testing this spring.
