Ohio’s Alternate Assessment participation and waiver request

11/6/2023

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to ensure the total number of students assessed in each subject using the Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD) does not exceed 1.0% of the total number of all students in the state who took Ohio’s State Tests. States that anticipate exceeding 1.0% in alternate assessment participation must submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education 90 days before the beginning of the alternate assessment testing window.

Ohio’s alternate assessment participation rate is 0.9% in reading, mathematics and science. Ohio intends to submit a waiver extension request to the U.S. Department of Education Nov. 24, 2023.

The draft waiver extension request is available for public comment through Nov. 14. Review the draft 2023-2024 document.

To ask questions or share comments or concerns about Ohio's draft waiver extension request to address alternate assessment participation, please use this Microsoft Form. Email AAParticipation@education.ohio.gov with all other questions.