Which term refers to the means of measuring the progress of students who do not participate in the general education curriculum?

• A. Standardized Tests
• B. Alternative Assessments
• C. Formative Observations
• D. Grade Point Averaging

Answer: (B)

Measuring progress for students who don’t participate in the general education curriculum uses methods that fit their individualized goals and alternate standards. These are called alternative assessments. They’re designed to show growth in areas that align with the student’s IEP, often using formats like portfolios, performance tasks, project-based work, or systematic observations that capture authentic progress beyond what standard tests measure.

Why this fits best: alternative assessments provide a way to document meaningful learning and improvements when the general education tests aren’t appropriate or accessible. They reflect how the student is actually progressing toward specific goals, rather than comparing them to peers on a standardized curriculum.

Standardized tests focus on general education content and norms, so they aren’t suitable for students outside that framework. Formative observations are a method of gathering ongoing information, but the term that specifically describes progress measurement for students not in the general curriculum is alternative assessments. A grade point average summarizes grades but doesn’t necessarily reflect progress toward individualized or alternate goals.