The DLM Alternate Assessment System has developed a series of resources for science educators, primarily designed to support teachers’ science instruction as their students take DLM alternate assessments. In addition, these resources provide guidance for teachers working in inclusive science classrooms.
Resources
- Science Essential Elements
DLM science Essential Elements are adapted content standards for students who qualify for the alternate assessment. In science, Essential Elements are consistent with the three-dimensional learning framework described in the National Research Council’s Framework for Science Education (2012). Essential Elements are related to general science education standards but with reduced depth, breadth, and complexity to provide access for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
This document introduces the DLM Essential Elements and, for each Essential Element, specifications with performance expectations, science dimensions (i.e., disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts), and articulation across grade bands are described.
- Science Essential Elements Organized by Grade Bands
This document describes 84 Essential Elements organized by:
- grade band (i.e., K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12)
- science domain (i.e., life science, Earth and space science, physical science)
- DCI family (science disciplinary topic arrangements used in the DLM assessment)
Table organization of DLM Essential Elements for Science 2027 (pdf)
- Science Essential Elements with Mini-maps
The following linked page lists a series of documents (PDF files) referring to the science Essential Elements included in the DLM science assessment, including:
- content specifications
- connections to science dimensions and three-dimensional learning
- mini-maps, which are representations of nodes organized around an Essential Element with connections between the nodes at each assessment linkage level
Science Essential Elements to Be Tested Beginning in Spring 2027
- Science Dimensions and Grade Band Progressions
This document describes the content, practices, and concepts of the DLM science assessment associated with the DLM Essential Elements, organized by:
- science dimension (i.e., disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts)
- grade band (includes Grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12, including high school biology).
The goal of this document is to help educators learn the scope of coverage intended in the DLM alternate assessment and identify progressions in each dimension across grade bands.
- Essential Elements and Science Dimensions for Each Grade Band
These documents organize the disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts associated with grade-band expectations and DLM science Essential Elements. The goal of these documents is to help educators learn the scope of coverage intended for each grade band.
- DLM Science Professional Development Modules and Resources.
The following linked page introduces four professional development modules designed to help teachers understand the DLM science assessment components, identify resources for professional learning about DLM science, and explore inquiry approaches for teaching all students.