1% Alternate Assessment Threshold

Contact Information

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. LEAs will need to consider circumstances that are both external (community, geography, etc.) and internal (policies, practices, staff, etc.) to the LEA.
  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 participate in the WA-AIM.
  4. Disability categories of students testing on WA-AIM
  5. Changes the LEA has implemented (or will implement) and the evidence used to determine efficacy with regard to accuracy in WA-AIM identification.

Submission Steps

  1. Go to the 1% Participation Cap Justification Form
  2. Complete all required fields. Do not include student-level personally identifiable information.
  3. Submit the form.

1% Participation Cap and WA-AIM Eligibility Presentations

In October, OSPI is offering four opportunities to learn about the WA-AIM 1% Participation Cap and eligibility criteria. Sessions will include information on eligibility criteria, federal requirements, and changes to the justification process. These sessions are open for any district to attend.

Resources