Ohio's Alternate Assessment

Description

Ohio’s Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD) is aligned to Ohio’s Learning Standards–Extended (OLS-E) and designed to allow students with significant cognitive disabilities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in an appropriately rigorous assessment.

Test Administration Window

The alternate assessment testing window opens in February and ends in late March. This window was chosen to provide as much instructional time as possible prior to testing and still provide ample time to test all eligible students at each student’s pace. A test administrator, usually the student’s teacher, will administer the tests to your child in a one-on-one environment.

Participation

Grades 3, 4, 6 - English language arts and mathematics

Grades 5, 8 - English language arts, mathematics and science

High School - English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015) limits the total number of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are assessed statewide with an alternate assessment to 1% of the total number of students in the state who are assessed (or approximately 9% of all students with disabilities).

Test Composition

The alternate assessment is designed to be accessible to students with significant disabilities. The test contains questions that range from simple to complex. The test is computer adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the next question a student receives on their test is based on whether they answer the previous question correctly. Students may answer using their preferred method of communication (oral, point/gesture, sign language, picture system, or augmentative communication device) and test materials can be adapted to the specific needs and accommodations that have been documented in the individualized education program (IEP). There is no time restriction on the test and students may stop and resume the test at any point during the multiple-week test window.

Learn More

Ohio Department of Education Resources

Review the Ohio Department of Educations page dedicated to Alternate Assessments to learn more about this assessment.

• • Ohio's Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD)

  • Ohio's Alternate Assessment FAQs

A new Decision Making Tool was introduced during the 2021-2022 school year to guide and support individualized education program (IEP) teams in determining whether a student is most appropriately assessed with an alternate assessment. Be sure to review this tool and its supporting resources while exploring the site.

Look for It!

Ohio's Assessment System Resources

Review Ohio's Assessment Portal hub dedicated to Ohio's Alternate Assessments to familiarize yourself with the tools and resources available.

Accountability Connections

Updated Report Card Reforms beginning with 2021-2022 school year

Ohio's Alternate Assessments contribute to the Achievement, Early Literacy, and Gap Closing components.

For Report Cards thru 2020-2021 school year

Ohio's Alternate Assessments contributed to the Achievement, Gap Closing, and Improving at Risk K-3 Readers components.