Kelly,
In ELA Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen and speak for information and understanding; the essence is that VE should be aligned to "informational" or non-fiction text and/or topics; not fiction "stories".
In an 8th grade datafolio, ELA (pg 12) AGLI 21108: "convey answers to literal questions about explicit text (who, what, where, when, and/or how);
the task is comparable to SAT 21108A: The student will convey answers to literal questions about an explicit text (who, what, where, when, and/or how)from a set of multiple choice responses to each question on a worksheet.
The VE is a worksheet with literal questions that the student will answer after attending to the story "Carrot Seed". (this story outlines the process for planting seeds through the fictional characters and story line).
It has been brought to my attention that many stories or literary texts like this for younger or lower functioning students are written as informational stories using fictional characters and story format so students can relate more easily to the content. Is this type of story acceptable as "informational" text in AGLI's from standard 1?
Jeanann
Hi Jeanann,
Thank you for the question. AGLI 21108 is referring to explicit texts. In the ELA glossary in the Frameworks, explicit text is defined as ‘Explicit text reveals the meaning by direct statements. For example, at the end of a fable, the moral is often stated.’ Explicit text is not necessarily informational text. For Standard 1 the emphasis is on information and understanding, not specifically use of informational texts only. Given the information you have provided below, it appears the text “Carrot Seed” would be acceptable for AGLI21108 and SAT21108A. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thank you,
Kelly Ickes
Special Education Specialist
Measured Progress
800.431.8901 x-2219 (v)
866.283.2197 (f)
Ickes.Kelly@measuredprogress.org
