Florida Alternate Assessment

All Florida students participate in the state’s assessment and accountability system. The Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA) is designed for students whose participation in the general statewide assessment program is not appropriate, even with accommodations. The FAA is fully aligned to Florida’s alternate academic achievement standards, otherwise known as Access Points. Access Points reflect the key concepts of the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for English language arts and mathematics and Florida’s statewide standards for science and social studies. They ensure access to the essence or core intent of the standards that apply to all students in the same grade, but at reduced levels of complexity.

The FAA program includes two components: the FAA—Performance Task and FAA—Datafolio, which form a continuum of assessment to meet the needs of Florida’s students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The FAA—Performance Task is designed to assess students at three levels of complexity and results are reported through achievement levels. The FAA—Datafolio is designed to address the needs of a small population of students who typically do not have a formal mode of communication and may be working at pre-academic levels. Regardless of the component with which a student is assessed, it is expected that only students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA will participate in the FAA program.

Guidelines for Participation in the Florida Alternate Assessment Program

• Graduation/Standard Diploma Requirements for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (PDF)
• Statewide Assessments for Students with Disabilities and Assessment Participation – Memo to School District Superintendents (PDF)
• Checklist for Course and Assessment Participation

Resources

• Department of Education, Information for Families
• Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Resource and Information Center
• The Access Project
• Information on Accommodations and Modifications for Students with Disabilities
• Standard Setting
• Final FSAA—Performance Task (ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) Achievement Levels (PDF)
• Final FSAA—Datafolio (ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) Achievement Levels (PDF)
• FAA—Performance Task (ELA and Mathematics – B.E.S.T. APs) Achievement Level Policy Definitions and Achievement Level Descriptions
• FAA—Datafolio (ELA and Mathematics – B.E.S.T. APs) Achievement Level Policy Definitions and Achievement Level Descriptions
• FAA—Datafolio (Science and Social Studies – Statewide Standards in Science/Social Studies APs) Achievement Level Policy Definitions and Achievement Level Descriptions
• 2023–24 FAA—Performance Task Blueprints
• 2023–24 FAA—Datafolio Blueprints
• 2022–23 FSAA—Performance Task Technical Report
• 2022–23 FSAA—Datafolio Technical Report

Florida Statutes, State Laws, and Federal Regulations

• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• Section 1008.22, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Student Assessment Program for Public Schools
• Section 1008.25, F.S., Public School Student Progression; Student Support; Reporting Requirements
• Rule 6A-1.0943, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities
• Rule 6A-6.03028, F.A.C., Provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Development of Individual Educational Plans for Students with Disabilities
• IDEA
• Federal Register: 34 CFR Parts 300 and 303: Assistance to States for the Education of Children With Disabilities and Preschool Grants for Children With Disabilities Program; Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (PDF)
• No Child Left Behind (USED)

State and District Contacts

• Florida Alternate Assessment Program Specialist
  • Angela Nathaniel: 850-245-0972, Angela.Nathaniel@fldoe.org

Administration Support

• FAA Service Center
  • Phone: 877-655-3001
  • Email: FAAServiceCenter@cambiumassessment.com
  • Chat: https://faa.fsassessments.org/contact.html

FAA Portal

The FAA Portal contains the most recent information and resources available for Florida educators. The Portal is arranged with differentiated access for families, teachers, and administrators. Below is an outline of available resources and information.

Students and Families

• Family Portal
• Resources
  • 2022–23 Understanding the FSAA—Performance Task Reports
    • English (PDF)
    • Spanish (PDF)
    • Haitian Creole (PDF)
  • 2022–23 Understanding the FSAA—Datafolio Reports
    • English
    • Spanish
    • Haitian Creole

FAA—Performance Task: Teacher

• Guides and Forms
• Administration Resources
• Supporting Families

FAA—Performance Task: Alternate Assessment Coordinator

• Guides, Manuals, and Forms
• Supporting Administration
• Supporting Families

FAA—Datafolio: Teacher

• Guides and Forms
• Administration Resources
• Supporting Families

FAA—Datafolio: Alternate Assessment Coordinator

• Guides, Manuals, and Forms
• Supporting Administration
• Supporting Families

Florida Standards Alternate Assessment (FSAA) and FAA Historical Scores & Reports