New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA)
The New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) is a part of the New York State Testing Program. Starting with the 2013-14 administration, the NYSAA is based on a new test design with requirements that reflect the updated assessment. The NYSAA is a datafolio-style assessment in which students with severe cognitive disabilities demonstrate their performance toward achieving the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards in English language arts and mathematics. In addition, this assessment measures the New York State Learning Standards and Core Curriculum in science and social studies. Eligibility for participation in NYSAA is determined by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) according to criteria described in the Administrators' Manual. Student performance is recorded through direct observation and documentation and may include other information such as student work products, photographs, audio and videotapes. Students must be assessed once a year beginning in the school year they become 9 years old through the school year they become 14 (grade equivalents 3-8). The secondary level NYSAA is administered during the school year they become 17-18 years of age (high school).
2014-2015 Administration
- 2014–15 Elementary- and Intermediate-level Testing Schedule
(45 KB) - NYSAA test administration dates added - Age Ranges for Students with Disabilities Participating in the 2014-15 NYSAA (137 Kb)
2013-2014 Administration
- A Parent's Quick Guide to the New York State Alternate Assessment - in English (514 Kb)
- A Parent's Quick Guide to the New York State Alternate Assessment - in Spanish (460 Kb)
- Memo regarding Medically Excused from NYSAA (47 Kb)
- 2013-14 Not Tested Form (16 Kb)
- Sample Evidence Sets
- Questions and Answers Regarding the Administration of the 2013-14 New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA)
- The Transition of the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) to Measure the P-12 Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) (57 Kb)
- Age Ranges for Students with Disabilities Participating in the 2013-14 NYSAA (43 Kb)
- 2013-14 Administration Period: September 30, 2013 to February 7, 2014
- 2013-14 Scoring Period: March 10, 2014 to May 1, 2014
- 2013-14 Test Blueprints (40 Kb)
- 2013-14 Administrator Information
- 2013-14 NYSAA Administration and Supplemental Materials - Updated, 8/6/13
- Overview of NYSAA Similarities and Changes (130 Kb)