1% Alternate Assessment Threshold

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) amended a provision of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 related to students participating in alternate assessments of each State Education Agency’s (SEA) statewide assessment. ESEA section 1111(b)(2)(D) and 34 CFR 200.6(c) and (d) contain requirements for the participation of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in the Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS). ESEA section 1111(b)(2)(D)(i)(I) now limits the total number of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are assessed Statewide with an AA-AAAS to 1.0 percent of the total number of students in the State who are assessed in that subject.

As described in 34 CFR 200.6(c)(3), a State may not prohibit an LEA from assessing more than 1.0 percent of its assessed students with an AA-AAAS. However, a State must require an LEA that tested more than 1.0 percent of its tested students in any subject with an AA-AAAS to submit information to the State justifying the need to exceed the 1.0 percent threshold.

Justification Requirements

  1. Any LEA circumstances or root cause(s) that explain why the LEA assesses more than 1 percent of the total tested population in any content area.
  2. Anticipated number of students participating in the WA-AIM for the upcoming 2024-25 window.
  3. The LEA's process and/or plan to ensure the correct students are identified to take the WA-AIM, including:
    • How the LEA trains IEP team members and district/school administrative staff on the IEP Team assessment decision making process and WA-AIM Participation Criteria.
    • How and who the LEA trains on the Guidelines for Tools, Supports, and Accommodations (GTSA) available for the state regular assessments (i.e., Smarter Balanced ELA and Math and Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science).
    • How the LEA identifies trends and/or disproportionality for any student group taking the WA-AIM and steps taken to address.
    • How the LEA ensures that only those students with significant cognitive disabilities are participating in the WA-AIM.

Submission Steps

The 1 Percent Threshold Justification Form can be submitted by following the steps outlined below.

  1. Download the 1% Participation Threshold Justification form.
  2. Complete all required information. DO NOT INCLUDE STUDENT-LEVEL PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.
  3. Email the completed form to
    • Leslie Huff (leslie.huff@k12.wa.us); and
    • WA-AIM (wa.aim@k12.wa.us)

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