The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA) requires that States and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) ensure that all children with disabilities are included in all general state and district-wide assessment programs, including assessments used for purposes of satisfying the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  If necessary, a state or LEA may create an alternate assessment.  The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) was developed in accordance with this allowance to meet the needs of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are not able to participate in the general assessment even with accommodations.  The PASA is aligned with Pennsylvania's academic content standards with a reduction in depth and breadth evidenced by the Alternate Eligible Content, and measures the attainment of knowledge and skills of children with significant cognitive disabilities through performance tasks.  Like the state-wide standardized test (the Pennsylvania System of Assessment or PSSA), the purpose of the PASA is to provide information to school districts and other educational service providers that will aid them in improving instruction for children.

- Click HERE to learn more about the PASA
- Click HERE to view the state-wide PASA participation and results data

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject using the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) does not exceed one percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessments.  Each local educational agency (LEA) must complete and submit the PASA 1% Percent Participation Threshold Justification to the Bureau of Special Education (BSE) if it anticipates that more than 1.0 percent of its students enrolled in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA.  A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding the threshold will be made publicly available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations.  LEAs must also make the document publicly available upon request, removing any personally identifiable information.  The Apollo-Ridge School District anticipates exceeding the 1% threshold for PASA participation for this year's testing cycle.  The necessary justification information has/will been submitted to the Bureau of Special Education. Questions regarding the Apollo-Ridge School District’s participation rates should be directed to Dr. Chris Clark, Director of Special Programs, at (724) 478-6000  ext:  6060 or [email protected].