Understanding Student Participation in Virginia State Assessment Programs

As a Special Education Director, it's crucial to stay informed about the regulations and guidelines that impact our students. One important area is the participation of students with disabilities in state assessment programs. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about Virginia's policies.

IEP Teams and State Assessments

First and foremost, IEP teams do not have the authority to exempt students with disabilities from state assessment programs. Instead, they must determine how each student will participate. This participation is mandated by both federal and state regulations.

Key Regulations

• The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) ensures that all children with disabilities are included in general and division-wide assessment programs.
• Appropriate accommodations and alternate assessments must be provided as indicated in the students' IEPs.

IEP Requirements

IEP teams must include specific information about students' participation in state assessments in their IEPs:

• A statement of any necessary accommodations or modifications for the child to participate in state assessments.
• If an alternate assessment is needed, the IEP must explain why the child cannot participate in the regular assessment and why the chosen alternate assessment is appropriate.
• A statement that the child will participate in either the state assessment or an alternate assessment.

Alternate Assessments

For students participating in programs like the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP), Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA), or Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP), the IEP must include a statement about their participation in these assessments.

Additional Key Information

• Since July 7, 2009, IEP teams and 504 committees can no longer exempt students with disabilities from state assessments in reading, mathematics, science, history/social science, and writing.
• All IEPs and 504 plans for the 2010-2011 school year and beyond must reflect the student's participation in all applicable content area assessments.

Valuable Resources

For more detailed guidance, consult VDOE's document, Procedures for the Participation of Students with Disabilities in Virginia's Accountability System, and the current manuals for VAAP, VGLA, and VSEP. You can find these resources on the VDOE website.

It may also be helpful to use VDOE's model IEP forms, which include recommended language for documenting assessment participation.

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