CTAA Resources

Overview of the Connecticut’s Alternate Assessment (CTAA)

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 Connecticut Alternate Assessment System Eligibility Form, embedded within the Connecticut Special Education Data System (CT-SEDS). Trained teachers administer the Alternate Assessments individually to eligible students during the testing window of March 24-May 30, 2025.

Eligible students in Grades 3-8 and 11 participate in the Connecticut Alternate Assessment for English Language Arts and Math.

Resources Specific to the Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA)

• CTAA Test Administration Manual - This manual provides information about policies and test procedures for the Teacher Administering the Alternate Assessment (TEA) and District/School Coordinators regarding policies and procedures for the Connecticut Alternate Assessment in mathematics and English language arts.

• CTAA Assessing Students Who are Blind, Deaf, or Deaf-Blind– This resource is intended to be used in conjunction with the secure, required test administration materials available on the portal.
• Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA) for English Language Arts and Mathematics Teacher Administering the Alternate Responsibility Checklist – The responsibilities and suggested steps for the Trained TEA are defined in this document.

• The ELA Performance Level Descriptors and Math Performance Level Descriptors were developed to summarize the knowledge, skills, and abilities prioritized for the CTAA that students need to attain at each level of achievement (Level 1-Level 4). Each performance level includes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the preceding performance levels.

• The National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) web page describes the collaborative development process for the CTAA. It provides extensive resources and technical documentation that support students with significant cognitive disabilities.

• The NCSC Wiki provides materials to support educators with instruction aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards (CCS). This wiki also provides a communication tool kit, instructional supports, and parent resources.

CTAA Scoring and Reporting

• Guide for CTAA Score Report Interpretation - This guide is designed to help educators, parents, students, and members of the public understand and properly explain the results of the CTAA.
• 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.