Alignment to Florida Alternate Assessment
It is expected that only students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA will participate in the Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA). A student may take the FAA if:
- The student requires direct instruction in academic areas of English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science based on access point in order to acquire, generalize, and transfer skills across settings.
- Accommodations in standard testing procedures or materials are not enough to support a student with a disability to participate in state or district assessments. Allowable statewide assessment accommodations are the accessible instructional materials that are used regularly by the student in the classroom and outlined on his/her IEP.
The Florida Alternate Assessment measures student academic performance on the Access Points (FS-AP) in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Access Points reflect the principle intent of the standards that apply to all students in the same grade, but at reduced levels of complexity. Student performance is reported through performance levels described as emergent (Level 1-3), achieved (Level 4-6), and commended (Level 7-9). Access Points are academic expectations written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
- The Styer-Fitzgerald Program for Functional Academics is designed for students with moderate and severe cognitive impairments. This is the same population of students that also qualifies for the Florida Alternate Assessment. The Styer-Fitzgerald curriculum provides lessons in math, reading, writing, and science that can be aligned with Access Points.
- The content areas and the teaching methodology in the Styer-Fitzgerald curriculum are designed for teaching students who require direct instruction in all academic areas.
- The Styer-Fitzgerald Program includes real world activities that increase generalization to a variety of settings.
- The Styer-Fitzgerald Program Assessment generates Present Levels of Performance (PLOPs) that are compatible with the FAA performance levels: emergent (Level 1-3), achieved (Level 4-6), and commended (Level 7-9). The Styer-Fitzgerald Program moves students from one level to the next as they master the skill.
- The levels of complexity of the tasks (participatory, supported, independent) in the FAA are similar to the skill sequence, ranging from easiest to most difficult, found in every Styer-Fitzgerald Program content area.
- Student Center Activities and Lessons (found on CPALM) can be used alongside Styer-Fitzgerald curriculum lesson plans and data sheets.
| FAA Matrix |
