The Kentucky Alternate Assessment was developed in 1990 as a result of the Reform Act of 1990 to provide schools and programs with a valid and reliable means of assessing the instruction provided to students with moderate and significant disabilities (i.e., for the less than 1% of the total student population for whom traditional assessments would be an inappropriate measure of progress).
In 2011 all content areas of the Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment were represented by attainment tasks and the Transition Attainment Record (TAR) for students in grade 11. These assessments continue to meet federal requirements for the Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).
Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment is based upon two components: Attainment Tasks (AT) and the Transition Attainment Record (TAR). These components play vital roles in the assessment of the individual student.
The Office of Assessment and Accountability often sends out communications for the Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment. Communications between KDE and districts/schools occur on a regular basis with staff who have elected to be a part of the Alternate Assessment E-mails.
Teachers may sign-up to receive these messages automatically, by sending a request to: dacinfo@education.ky.gov
2022-2023 Communications
Special Alternate Assessment Email 8/15/2022 - Global Alternate Program Calendar Released, Back to School Training Released (AKSA Included)
Special Alternate Assessment Email 8/30/2022 - Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment Combined Overview-Attainment Task Training/Quiz to Open, Alternate Assessment Students Marked Blind/Visually Impaired (VI) On Individualized Education Program (IEP): Deadline September 6
Special Alternate Assessment Email 8/31/2022 - (Updated Links) Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment Combined Overview-Attainment Task Training/Quiz to Open
Special Alternate Assessment Email 9/9/2022 - Kentucky Alternate Assessment – CWEC Training / Quiz Opens today, Sept. 9, Alternate Assessment Students Marked Blind/Visually Impaired (VI) On Individualized Education Program (IEP): Deadline Extension
Special Alternate Assessment Email 9/23/22 - Reminder Sept. 30 Deadline to Update Infinite Campus (IC) for Student Registration Database (SRD)
Special Alternate Assessment Email 10/14/22 - ESAR Administration to Begin Oct. 14, Kentucky Alternate Assessment – ESAR Training / Quiz Opens today, Oct. 14, Looking Ahead: AKSA Window One Dates and Reminders, New AKSA Consultant
Special Alternate Assessment Email 10/21/22 - AKSA Office Hours, AKSA Window 1 Materials to Ship Week of Oct. 24, Early Access to SRD Opens Oct. 24
Special Alternate Assessment Email 11/10/22 - AKSA Office Hours Reminder, AKSA Testing Window 1 Opens Nov. 14, CRD Opens Nov. 14, SRD Opens Nov. 14
Special Alternate Assessment Email 12/9/22 - AKSA Office Hours Reminder, AKSA Testing Window 1 Closes Dec. 16, AKSA Window 1 Makeup Window Information, ESAR/CWEC Certification Quizzes Close Dec. 23, ESAR and CWEC Administration Deadlines, SRD Closes Dec. 23
Special Alternate Assessment Email 1/9/23 - AKSA Window 1 Makeup Window Opens, AKSA Window 2 VI Materials Ordering Now through Feb. 13, AKSA Window 2 Materials Shipping Selection due Feb. 13
Special Alternate Assessment Email 2/9/23 - AKSA Window 2 Final Roster Pull Feb. 10, AKSA Window 2 Materials Shipping Selection due Feb. 13, AKSA Window 2 VI Materials Ordering due Feb. 13, AKSA Window 1 Makeup Window Open Until March 24
Special Alternate Assessment Email 2/10/23 - Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment Window 2 Materials Shipping Selection Due Feb. 13 (Link Included)
Special Alternate Assessment Email 3/9/23 - AKSA Window 2 Materials Shipping Dates, AKSA Window 1 Makeup Window Open Until March 24, TAR Training Closes March 24
Special Alternate Assessment Email 4/14/23 - AKSA Window 2 Opens April 17, SRD Opens April 17