Participation Guidance

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This page includes guidance for Admission and Release Committees (ARC) when determining participation in state assessments.

As stated in the Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KARs), “If the ARC determines that the child meets the criteria for participation in the alternate portfolio, as provided in 703 KAR 5:070, it shall provide a statement of its decision and the reasons for the decision." [707 KAR 1:320, Section 5 (11)]​

​Guidance for the ARC

• The Guidance for ARCs on Participation Decisions for the Kentucky Alternate Assessment provides instructions and examples for Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) members to use when discussing and documenting alternate assessment participation.
• The KY Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines Documentation Form​​ is a form that ARCs use to make decisions about whether a student is eligible to participate in the Alternate Assessment. This form also includes a way to indicate the evidence that was used in making decisions and the considerations that should not be the basis of making decisions.
  
• The Parent Guide to the Alternate Assessment​ (Guia Para Padres Alterno K-PREP – Spanish version) must be provided to the parent/guardian and provides important terms to know and frequently asked questions.
• The Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines Record Review Document​ is to promote a consistent standard for districts to use when collecting and reviewing documentation of students eligible to participate in the state alternate assessments.​ 
• The Questions and Answers Related to Grade 14 Students​ is non-regulatory guidance intended to provide frequently asked questions and answers related to students enrolled in grade 14 as referenced in the Data Standard Special Education Processes​ page. 
  

The KDE, in collaboration with the Alternate Assessment and Diploma Advisory Group (AADAG) and regional special education cooperatives, developed a plan for extensive statewide training, coaching, and support. This training plan is known as the Participation for Alternate Assessment (P4AA) Project. The project included designing and improving guidance and training resources regarding alternate assessment participation. 

• A series of five universal training modules are required for all ARC members and are located on the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) Learning Management System (LMS). The purpose of these training modules was to implement the requirements set forth in the ESSA and support districts in the implementation of the KY Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines Documentation Form​​.
  
• District staff may also reach out to the Special Education Regional Technical Assis​tance Centers (SERTAC)​ for additional training needs. ​
  

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