Alternate Assessment District justification template available

2/18/2025

Submissions accepted through May 2

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires each district or community school to complete and submit a justification when it anticipates testing more than 1.0 percent of students with the Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities. 

• If a district or community school anticipates testing more than 1.0 percent of students with the alternate assessment in 2024-2025, it must complete the justification and confirm assurances via the link emailed to the district’s superintendent.
• If a district or community school does not anticipate testing more than 1.0 percent of students with the alternate assessment, it must select “No” and confirm assurances via the link emailed to the district’s superintendent.

A template of the justification form is available to assist in the process. Note that the template is only a tool to help prepare the justification. All justifications must be submitted via the link sent to the superintendent.

The deadline for submitting this justification is May 2. Refer to this Department webpage for more information.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will review justifications submitted by each district or community school. The Department is required to make all justifications publicly available upon request. Direct questions to AAparticipation@education.ohio.gov.