Student Assessment
Illinois Alternate Assessment (IAA)
The Illinois Alternate Assessment (IAA) is the yardstick the state uses to measure the learning of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students take the IAA if participation in the state's regular assessments — the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) or the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) — is not appropriate, even with accommodations.
The IAA is a performance-based assessment that uses on demand tasks, which are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards. The IAA is based on alternate achievement standards in reading, mathematics, science and writing at the grades corresponding to ISAT and PSAE.
As of August 16, 2010 the IAA is federally approved.
- 2012 IAA Q&A for Coordinators - Coming Soon!
- 2012 IAA Q&A for Teachers- Coming Soon!
- The 2012 spring state assessments (ISAT, PSAE, and IAA) align to the 1997 Illinois Learning Standards.
- Impact of Grade 11 Definition on State Assessment (12/1/11)
- Announcement: IAA Writing Assessment for Grades 3, 5, 6, 8, and 11 Suspended for 2011-2012
Important Dates
(1/24/12)IAA Testing Window
2012: February 20—March 162013: February 25—March 22- 2011-2012 Calendar of Events (12/2/11)
- Illinois Assessment Dates (2005 through 2013)
Participation
(1/18/12)- 2012 Participation Guidelines
- IAA Participation Guidance and Guidelines for 2011-2012
- Exception to the 1% Cap Request
Assessment Network
(1/24/12)
- 2012 ISAT & IAA Assessment Network Activities and Pre-Test Information Webinar - November 8, 2011
- 2012 ISAT & IAA Reference Guide: Assessment Network Activities and Pre-Test Information

- Assessment Network Website
School Success
(1/24/12)- 2012 SchoolSuccess for Coordinators Webinar - January 13, 2012
- 2012 SchoolSuccess for Teachers Webinar - January 13, 2012
- SchoolSuccess Website

Test Administration
(1/19/12)- 2012 Test Administration Webinar - January 13, 2012
- 2012 IAA Implementation Manual
Test Overview
Number of Tasks by Content Area |
||||
| Grade | Reading | Mathematics | Science | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 |
18 |
19 |
Not Tested |
Not Tested |
4 |
18 |
19 |
19 |
Not Tested |
5 |
18 |
19 |
Not Tested |
Not Tested |
6 |
18 |
19 |
Not Tested |
Not Tested |
7 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
Not Tested |
8 |
18 |
19 |
Not Tested |
Not Tested |
11 |
15 |
19 |
19 |
Not Tested |
Packaging and Distribution of Materials
(1/19/12)- 2012 Packaging and Distribution Webinar - January 13, 2012
General Information
(1/24/12)- Framework Priorities
- Scale Score Cut Points
- Technical Manuals
- Webinar Archives
Questions about IAA test administration should be directed to:
Jessica Dare at jdare@isbe.net or by calling the Assessment Division at 866/317-6034.







