The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 1.0 Percent Participation Cap requirements for local educational agencies (LEAs) administering the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) for students with significant cognitive disabilities continues to be in effect for the 2018-19 school year.

The PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Cap Justification process has been developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE) in accordance with the requirements of ESSA.  ESSA requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject, using the alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities, does not exceed 1.0 percent of the total number of all students in the Commonwealth assessed on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), Keystone Exams, and PASA.  The new PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Cap Justification replaces the previously required 1.0 Percent Mandated LEA Waiver application.  The LEA must complete and submit justification and assurances to BSE if it anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent participation cap.

If the LEA anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent cap for the 2018-19 testing cycle, the PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Cap Justification must be submitted to BSE by January 25, 2019.  You may access the application by clicking here.  Pennsylvania cannot grant approval for a LEA to exceed the federally mandated 1.0 percent participation cap. Any LEA which exceeds the cap may be subject to further review by BSE.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Lisa Hampe, BSE Special Education Adviser, at lihampe@pa.gov; or Lynda Lupp, Statewide Special Education Assessment Coordinator, at llupp@pattan.net.