Alternate Assessments

LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 1 (LAA 1)

LAA 1 is an alternate assessment designed for students whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) address the state's academic Extended Standards and functional academic and life skills. Extended Standards are extensions of the state's content standards and address core academic skills that will be needed throughout life.

Students in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 may participate in LAA 1 if they meet the eligibility criteria. Students are eligible to take the alternate assessment when they follow an instructional program that addresses individual functional needs and state academic Extended Standards and meet the state's participating requirements as determined annually during a child's IEP meeting.

Students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 10 are assessed in English language arts and mathematics. Students in 4, 8 and 11 are assessed in science. The test is given annually over several weeks. The testing window is usually mid-February to late-March. It is given at a pace that is most appropriate for each student.

Students who participate in LAA 1 do not earn a high school diploma, rather they earn a Certificate of Achievement.

LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 2 (LAA 2)

The LAA 2 is given to students who demonstrate persistent academic disabilities. This alternate assessment, like other standardized assessments administered in Louisiana, is based on the state's Grade Level Expectations. The LAA 2 is similar to the iLEAP, LEAP and GEE, except the LAA 2 has fewer questions, less reading, less writing and a modified format to include fewer questions per page and a larger print size.

Students are eligible to take the LAA 2 if they have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that reflects that the student's progress to date, in response to appropriate instruction designed to address the student's individual needs is such that, even if significant growth occurs, the student will not achieve grade-level proficiency within the year covered by the student's IEP. Students must also meet other criteria included on the LAA 2 Participation Criteria form and have scored either at the Unsatisfactory level in English Language Arts and/or mathematics on the previous year's iLEAP, LEAP and GEE or have scored Needs Improvement on the English II or English III and/or  Algebra 1 or Geometry EOC, or participated in LAA 1 or LAA 2.

Students may also participate in more than one assessment if they take the LAA 2. For example, a student may take the LAA 2 in English language arts and social studies and take the iLEAP in mathematics and science. However, this is a decision that will be made annually on an individual basis by the student's IEP team.

Students in grades 4 through 8, 10 and 11 may take the LAA 2. Students will be assessed in English Language Arts and mathematics in grades 4 through 8 and grade 10 and in science and social studies in grades, 4, 8, and 11.

Students who participate in LAA 2 can work towards earning a high school diploma or Certificate of Achievement.