April 2003 

To:	District Superintendents
	Superintendents of Public and Nonpublic Schools
	New York City Department of Education
	Superintendents of State-operated Schools
	Superintendents of Special Act School Districts
	Principals of Public and Nonpublic Schools
	Directors of Special Education
	Chairpersons of Committees on Special Education
	SETRC Professional Development Specialists
	Commissioner’s Advisory Panel on Special Education
From:	Lawrence C. Gloeckler
	Deputy Commissioner, Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
	James A. Kadamus
	Deputy Commissioner, Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education
Subject:	Extension of the Locally Selected Assessment Option to 2003-04

The availability of the locally selected assessment option in lieu of State assessments (elementary 4^th and 5^th grade, intermediate 8^th grade and commencement assessments) for certain students with disabilities has been extended to the 2003-04 school year.

The identified group of students who may qualify for locally selected assessments in lieu of the State assessments are those students who, due to a performance gap resulting from the students’ unique disability needs, are unable to meet the grade/age level expectations to take the regular State assessments and who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the State Alternate Assessment for Students with Severe Disabilities (NYSAA). The administration of locally selected assessments to this group of students will ensure that objective and appropriate measures of students’ progress toward the New York State learning standards are available for all students. Results of such assessments will provide important information to direct instruction to these students and to provide a measure of accountability for schools.

Prior guidelines for Committees on Special Education (CSEs) on the participation of students with disabilities in locally selected assessments were issued in March 2002: Supplemental Guidelines for Participation of Students with Disabilities in State Assessments: Locally Selected Assessments.  Please refer to this memorandum for information on: 

1. participation criteria for determining which students with disabilities participate in a locally selected assessment in lieu of a State assessment or the New York State Alternate Assessment;
2. how to choose a locally selected assessment;
3. the role of the CSE in recommending students with disabilities to participate in a locally selected assessment;
4. when students must participate in a locally selected assessment; and
5. reporting requirements for students who participate in a locally selected assessment.

If you have questions regarding this information, please contact the Office of State Assessment at (518) 474-5099 or the Special Education Policy Unit at (518) 473-2878. Questions may also be directed to your Regional Associate at one of the following Special Education Quality Assurance Regional Offices: