Florida Department of Education

FLORIDA ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT PARTICIPATION CHECKLIST

Student:

Age:

Date:

Teacher:

School:

Individual educational plan (IEP) teams are responsible for determining whether students with disabilities

will participate the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) or in alternate assessment based on

criteria outlined in Rule 6A-1.0943(1)(a)1-2, Florida Administrative Code. The IEP team should consider

the student’s present level of educational performance in reference to the Florida State Sunshine

Standards. The IEP team should also be knowledgeable of (FCAT) guidelines and the use of appropriate

testing accommodations

.

In order to facilitate informed and equitable decision-making, IEP teams should answer each of the

following questions, when determining the appropriate assessment. Check all that apply.

1. Is the student unable to master the grade-level Sunshine State Standards,

even with appropriate and allowable course accommodations?

Questions to Guide the Decision-Making Process to Determine

Whether a Student Takes FCAT or an Alternate Assessment

YES

NO

2. Is the student’s demonstrated cognitive ability the primary reason for the

inability to master grade-level standards?

3. Is the student participating in a modified or functional curriculum based on

competencies in the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma for all

academic areas?

4. Does the student require extensive direct instruction in functional academics

and vocational competencies as well as domestic, community living and leisure

activities.

5. Does the student have deficits in adaptive behavior, as demonstrated by the

inability to function effectively and independently in everyday living skills

(interpersonal and social interactions) across a variety of settings?

If the IEP team determines that

all five of the questions

accurately characterize a student’s current

educational situation, then an

alternate assessment

should be used to provide a meaningful evaluation of

the student’s current academic achievement. If “yes” is not checked in all five areas, then the student

should participate in FCAT with accommodations, as appropriate.

If the decision of the IEP team is to assess the student through alternate assessment, the parents of the

student must be informed that their child’s achievement will be based on alternate achievement standards

and this decision must be documented on the IEP.