State Assessment

STAAR Alt 2 fulfills federal and state requirements to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and state regulations mandating that all students will participate in state assessment.

IDEA mandates that students with disabilities have access to the same standards as their nondisabled peers and be included in statewide assessments. STAAR Alt 2 fulfills this requirement by providing an alternate assessment.

STAAR Alt 2 is not a placement decision; it is an assessment decision by the student's ARD committee based on what best aligns with the student's needs and abilities when looking at instructional access, cognitive profiles, and support needs (not disability or class setting). 

The TEA Participation Requirement form is used every year and reviewed by the student's ARD committee.

There is a 1% cap through Federal Law (ESSA) that limits the number of students who can participate in the alternative assessment in each subject area.

1% is state level, and districts that exceed 1% must submit justification to the TEA.