"All Florida students participate in the state’s assessment and accountability system. The Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA) is designed for students whose participation in the general statewide assessment program is not appropriate, even with accommodations. The FAA is fully aligned to Florida’s alternate academic achievement standards, otherwise known as Access Points. Access Points reflect the key concepts of the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for English language arts and mathematics and Florida’s statewide standards for science and social studies. They ensure access to the essence or core intent of the standards that apply to all students in the same grade, but at reduced levels of complexity.

The FAA program includes two components: the FAA—Performance Task and FAA—Datafolio, which form a continuum of assessment to meet the needs of Florida’s students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The FAA—Performance Task is designed to assess students at three levels of complexity, and results are reported through achievement levels. The FAA—Datafolio is designed to address the needs of a small population of students who typically do not have a formal mode of communication and may be working at pre-academic levels. Regardless of the component with which a student is assessed, it is expected that only students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA will participate in the FAA program."

Source: Florida Department of Education, fldoe.org