The Connecticut Alternate Assessment System (CTAA, CTAS, and CAAELP) --CAAELP Resources

The Connecticut Alternate Assessment System (CTAA, CTAS, and CAAELP)

CAAELP Resources

The Connecticut Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency (CAAELP) is part of the Connecticut Alternate Assessment System that provides an Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. This assessment is designed for students who are dually identified as English learners/ Multilingual learners in the Public School Information System (PSIS) and also have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that has determined that the student has a significant cognitive disability as evidence through current evaluation is eligible for the Connecticut Alternate Assessment System. Eligibility for the Connecticut Alternate Assessment System, including CAAELP, requires the review, determination, and completion of the Connecticut Alternate Assessment Eligibility form as part of the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) process embedded within the Connecticut Special Education Data System (CT-SEDS). Only students who have the completed and verified Connecticut Alternate Assessment Eligibility form in their finalized and implemented IEP for the current grades of enrollment will be rostered for the CAAELP administration.

Please note, CAAELP may also be referred to as Alt ELPA in some resources and educator training. For Connecticut’s testing purposes these are synonymous. If a Connecticut specific resource is available, please utilize it first because it includes Connecticut’s policies and guidance.

Important CAAELP Dates
CAAELP Testing Window	January 12 - March 6, 2026
Connecticut Alternate Assessment System Eligibility Form completed in CT-SEDS for correct rostering of CAAELP	Finalized and Implemented IEP by December 22, 2025.
Early Stopping Rule (ESR): TEA follows guidance for ESR. If student meets eligibility, submit a copy of the completed SRC Administration Behavioral Notes and signed SRC and Early Stopping Rule Request and Attestation Form to District Administrator (DA)	December 1, 2025 – January 5, 2026
ESR Submission Window: Submit a copy of the completed SRC Administration Behavioral Notes and the ESR Request and Attestation Form via TIDE Forms *	December 1, 2025-January 12, 2026
Domain Exemption Window*	December 1, 2025 -February 27, 2026
*Must be submitted by District Administrator (DA) in TIDE

Parent Resources

Parent Overview of Connecticut’s Alternate Assessment System - English, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, Pashto, Portuguese, and Spanish

CAAELP Family Guide - English, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, Pashto, Portuguese, and Spanish

Parent Guides to the CAAELP Individual Student Reports - English, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Karen, Marshallese, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese

Educator Resources

General Resources

Connecticut Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal – CAAELP Resource Page

ELP Standards for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities - This document was created by CCSSO that contains alternate English language proficiency standards for English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities in Grades K–12.

Resources for PPTs and 504 Teams - CT SEDS and Statewide Assessments - This resource page provides PPTs with resources and training to support statewide assessments.

Before Testing Resources

Connecticut Alternate Assessment System Participation Guidance for Planning and Placement Teams

Connecticut Alternate Assessment System Eligibility Form

Early Stopping Rule Guidelines

CAAELP Domain Exemptions Guidance Document

CAAELP Domain Exemption Optional Form - The optional CAAELP Domain Exemption Form may be used to assist with the collection of information at the district level that will aid in ensuring the required data is available for entry into TIDE by the DA. Only domain exemptions entered into TIDE by the CSDE deadline are eligible for consideration and approval by the CSDE.

Directions for Accessing CAAELP Online Training for New Users

Directions for Accessing CAAELP Online Training for Returning Us ers

CAAELP TEA Responsibility Checklist - The responsibilities and suggested steps for the Trained TEA are defined in this document.

Resources for PPTs and 504 Teams - CT SEDS and Statewide Assessments - This resource page provides PPTs with resources and training to support statewide assessments.

During Testing Resources

To access resources regarding test administration tasks and procedures, refer to the CAAELP webpage located on the Connecticut Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal.

After Testing Resources

Connecticut Alternate Assessment of English Language Proficiency Exit Criteria

Sample District Letter for Alternate Assessment System Individual Student Reports - This letter can be used to distribute Individual Student Reports for any of the following Alternate Assessment System assessments; CTAA, CTAS, and CAAELP.

How to Access CAAELP Scores on the CRS

CAAELP Interpretive Guide

CAAELP Quick Guide to Individual Score Reports