Students with Disabilities

During the current school year, TCAP-Alternate will include the Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) in English language arts and math, as well as the TCAP-Alternate assessment in science (social studies is paused). TCAP-Alternate is an assessment based on alternate achievement standards. This assessment is appropriate for students with a significant cognitive disability as determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team. The MSAA is designed to be administered online by the test administrator. The TCAP-Alternate science and social studies is designed to be administrated via paper by the test administrator. 

Required

Yes

 
 
Applicable Federal/State Law
The development of alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and their use for making adequate yearly progress (AYP) decisions is authorized under a Department regulation (34 C.F.R. Part 200) published on December 9, 2003. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and title I require inclusion of all students with disabilities in the State assessment system.

 

Purpose & Use
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year. 

 

Administration Window
The operational Alternative assessments will be administered March 13 - April 28, 2023. 
 

 

Looking ahead: 

  • Test schedules are dependent on the testing windows issued by the Tennessee Department of Education and will be updated by July 31 of each year. They will likely mirror the dates above, but cannot be confirmed until after the information is released by TDOE.

 

Length of Assessment
Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.
 
Results to Parents & Students

Districts receive individual performance reports which detail student performance in early summer. Districts can choose how and when to share these reports with parents.