Connecticut's Alternate Assessment System is composed the following assessments for eligible students with significant cognitive disabilities:

Alternate Academic Assessments

• Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA) for English language arts and Mathematics for eligible students in Grades 3-8 and 11  
• Connecticut Alternate Science (CTAS) Assessments for students in Grades 5, 8 and 11

• The Collaborative for the Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency (CAAELP) for eligible students identified as English learners/Multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities in Grades K-12.  

Connecticut Alternate Assessments measure the knowledge and skills of students with significant cognitive disabilities as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). They are designed to support student independence to the greatest extent possible by making academic and language content accessible and the expected achievement levels appropriate. The Connecticut Alternate Assessment System is comprised of the following assessments:

• The Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA)—aligned to the same Connecticut Core Standards (CCS) used to instruct and assess all of Connecticut’s public-school students in Grades 3-8 and 11 in the subject areas of mathematics and English language arts.
• The Connecticut Alternate Science (CTAS) Assessment—aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and administered to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11.
• The Collaborative for the Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency (CAAELP)—designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades K-12 who are dually identified as English learners/multilingual learners (ELs/MLs) receiving services under IDEA. Content aligned to and derived from the Connecticut English Language Proficiency (CELP) standards define the tested domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Eligibility for the Alternate Assessment System

Students with significant cognitive disabilities are identified for participation in the Alternate Assessment System when the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) determines the student meets eligibility criteria using the require Alternate Assessment System Eligibility Form.

Resources Specific to the Alternate Assessment System

The Connecticut State Department of Education Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal provides access to test administration resources for the Connecticut Alternate Assessment System.  

Parent/Guardian Resources

Parent Overview of Connecticut’s Alternate Assessment System