Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA) requires that States and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) ensure that all children with disabilities are included in all general state and district-wide assessment programs, including assessments used for purposes of satisfying the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). If necessary, a state or LEA may create an alternate assessment. The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) was developed in accordance with this allowance to meet the needs of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are not able to participate in the general assessment even with accommodations. The PASA is aligned with Pennsylvania's academic content standards with a reduction in depth and breadth evidenced by the Alternate Eligible Content, and measures the attainment of knowledge and skills of children with significant cognitive disabilities through performance tasks. Like the state-wide standardized test (the Pennsylvania System of Assessment or PSSA), the purpose of the PASA is to provide information to school districts and other educational service providers that will aid them in improving instruction for children.
Vendor
The Dynamic Learning Maps®(DLM®) Alternate Assessment System Consortium currently serves as the PASA assessment and vendor.
PA DLM Homepage
Training and Important Dates
2023-24 PASA Important Dates:
| Required Test Administrator Training and Lessons Learned (PASA ACs and Assessors) | August 4, 2023 - December 15, 2023 |
| Required Data Management Training for PASA ACs | August 28, 2023 – December 15, 2023 |
| PASA PIMS Student Enrollment | October 16, 2023 – November 17, 2023 |
| Test Administration Window | March 11, 2024 - May 3, 2024 |
| Electronic School Reports Available in Kite Educator Portal | Beginning June 14, 2024 |
| Printed Score Reports Mailed | Beginning July 26, 2024 |
The PASA DLM Instruction and Assessment Calendar provides full details of training and requirements associated with the PASA:
2023-24 PASA DLM Instruction and Assessment Calendar (dynamiclearningmaps.org)
Getting Ready Training
Eligibility Criteria
Students MUST meet the identified 6 criteria of eligibility (PDF), as determined by the IEP team, in order to participate in the PASA.
PA Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
The
PA Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) website hosts information about the alternate assessment system in PA, communications to the field including assessment messages to PASA Assessment Coordinators, Penn Links, Significant Cognitive Disabilities newsletter, etc.
Contact
For more information, please contact Lisa Hampe at 717-364-2323 (lihampe@pa.gov) or Lynda Lupp at 610-265-7321 (llupp@pattan.net).