Skip to main content

SDLA Compliance Resource

Make the Alternate-Assessment Assignment Through an Individual IEP Decision

A documented team decision based on the student’s individual characteristics—not disability label, placement, low achievement, attendance, language status, or anticipated score.

  • Assessment
  • Special Education
  • IEP
Date(s)At each IEP review affecting statewide assessment participation; revisit when needs or evidence change
Applies toStudents whose IEP teams are considering alternate assessments aligned with alternate achievement standards

In Plain Language: The IEP team uses current, multiple sources of evidence and the state decision tool. The student must have the most significant cognitive disability and meet every participation criterion; no disability category automatically qualifies.

Why this matters

The assignment changes what standards and assessment evidence will represent the student. It must preserve high expectations and access to grade-level content while matching how the student demonstrates learning.

Joint ownership

Decision owner: full IEP team, including parent and student when appropriate. Partners: general/special educators, assessors, related services, EL staff, and assessment coordinator.

Operational workflow

  1. 1. Gather current cognitive, adaptive, academic, communication, language, access, and instructional evidence from multiple sources.
  2. 2. Review the current CDE decision tool criterion by criterion and presume competence.
  3. 3. Discuss general assessment with accessibility supports before concluding it cannot yield a valid measure.
  4. 4. Record the assessment, subject/domain, rationale, supports, parent information, and implementation handoff in the IEP.

IEP decision path

Multiple current evidence
All state criteria met
General assessment with supports considered
Parent informed
IEP assignment implemented

Evidence to retain

  • Completed state decision tool
  • Current assessments and classroom evidence
  • IEP team discussion and rationale
  • Parent/student participation and accessible notice
  • TOMS assignment and accommodation check

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current federal and California law, CDE and test-contractor manuals, local board policy, adopted instruments, individual student circumstances, and live system status before acting.