Alternate Assessment Test Coordinator Resources for Administration
Alt ELPA
Alt ELPA is the Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. If a student participates in Alt ELPA, they do not take the AZELLA Reassessment. All eligible students must have a current ELP test record, including the AZELLA Placement test or participation in Alt ELPA or the AZELLA Reassessment last spring. The test administration window is January 30 - March 15, 2024. You can find more information in the training modules, Test Administration Manual, and the Cambium portal.
Training
Three Alt ELPA training modules are available in the LMS: Alt ELPA for First Time Test Administrators, Alt ELPA Module Refresher for Test Administrators, and Alt ELPA Module for Test Coordinators. All users completing training must download and save the certificate of completion to be eligible for professional development hours.
Administration
The Alt ELPA is administered through TIDE in the Cambium portal. The portal has additional resources, including user guides and technology requirements for the assessment. All users from the Test Administrator list in the Alternate Assessment Portal have been uploaded to TIDE. You may add and remove users as needed.
Additionally, please note that students who are eligible for alternate assessments will also be uploaded in PearsonAccess Next (PAN) for all Statewide Assessments, including AZELLA. Students eligible for any alternate assessment (MSAA and Alt ELPA) should remain untested in PAN. The Alternate Assessment Test Coordinator must communicate with the AZELLA and Achievement Test Coordinators to ensure students are administered the correct assessment.
MSAA
MSAA is administered in Grades 3-8 and 11 for ELA and Mathematics and Grades 5, 8, and 11 for Science. Students eligible for alternate assessments do not participate in AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, or ACT. The MSAA administration window is March 11 - April 26, 2024.
Training
The MSAA system will open for training on February 26, 2024. Test Coordinator and Test Administrator accounts will be created no later than February 25, 2024. Test Coordinators may create accounts for any additional users directly in the MSAA system. Please refer to the MSAA User Guide for Test Coordinators for instructions.
Administration
The MSAA is administered in the MSAA system. On February 26, 2024, users will have access to training modules, student lists, and secure test materials to download documents and gather items needed for test administration. The MSAA test administration window is March 11 - April 26, 2024.
Adding Students
According to eligibility criteria, IEP teams determine eligibility for alternate assessments no later than November 30 to allow for suitable instructional time before test administration. If a student was determined eligible for alternate assessments but was not identified in the Student Selector Application, please refer to these instructions.
- Before requesting to add any students, you must check student records. Student records must be updated in AzEDS before the student can be added to testing platforms.
- If a student transfers, you can email the Alternate Assessment team a list of SSIDs only and we will add the student(s), if eligible, to the testing platforms.
- For students who have been enrolled in the district all year, the Alternate Assessment Test Coordinator must submit a letter, preferably on district letterhead. An email will not be accepted. The letter will include the following components.
- The letter will be signed by the Alternate Assessment Test Coordinator and their supervisor.
- The letter will include a list of students' SSIDs.
- The letter will include an explanation of why students were missed in the selection process, which was from October 2 - November 30, 2023. For explanations related to a deficiency in policy or practice, include steps the LEA will take to correct the issue. An explanation stating that the IEP team did not make the determination that the student is eligible for alternate assessment before the close of the Student Selector Application will not be accepted since this does not follow eligibility guidelines. General statements about clerical errors or ensuring students will be selected next year will not be accepted. This letter is your opportunity to identify inconsistencies within your systems and leverage needed support within your LEA.
- Only one letter should be submitted after reviewing your student list. Teachers should not be responsible for writing or submitting this letter to the DTC or the State. This task is the role of the DTC. Letters should be emailed to the Alternate Assessment Unit at Alternate Assessment@azed.gov.
Observations
ADE works with contractors to conduct Alt ELPA and MSAA observations. Additionally, the Assessment Unit will conduct observations for state assessments. You will be notified by the Alternate Assessment team if your LEA was selected for observations. These observations are required. Alternate Assessment District Test Coordinators or a designee must also observe at least one Alt ELPA and one MSAA administration and submit the responses from each observation protocol using the Microsoft forms for Alt ELPA and MSAA. Observation protocols will be posted to the Alternate Assessment DTC website soon.
1% Threshold
ADE must take additional steps to support and provide appropriate oversight to each LEA that assess more than 1% of its assessed students in ELA, Mathematics, or Science in a school year using an alternate assessment aligned with alternate academic achievement standards. This means that we will continue our monitoring through the 1% Threshold application and submission of Action Plans.
The first notification has been sent to all Alternate Assessment Test Coordinators and includes instructions to submit information used to determine eligibility for selected students. Student lists in the application apply to the 2023 administration and will not be changed. Student information is required even if the student is no longer participating in alternate assessments or is no longer enrolled in your LEA. Eligibility information is due March 1, 2024. A second notification will be sent with instructions on submitting an Action Plan based on your designated tier. More information is provided in the 1% Threshold Presentation. There are notes on each slide of the presentation; please turn on the notes setting to view.
We Want to Hear Your Stories
The Alternate Assessment team would like to hear how you and your teachers prepare for test administration and use the MSAA results. Please contact us at AlternateAssessment@azed.gov if you have a story to share! 
