Illinois Alternate Assessment 1% Reduction Plan - Timeline and Tiered Implementation

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Muffet

Illinois Alternate Assessment 1% Reduction Plan outlines a tiered system for LEAs exceeding the 1% threshold, specifying internal ISBE actions, LEA responsibilities, and professional learning activities across September 2025 through August 2026. It includes kickoff and educator webinar events, educator previews for Illinois Report Card data, guidance for accessibility and accommodations, and processes for assurances and justifications. The plan tracks key windows for DLM-AA assessment, enrollment verification, assessment corrections, and closure deadlines within SIS, supported by training, office hours, infographics, and technical assistance for Tier 2 and Tier 3 LEAs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Timeline and Plan for Implementing Tiered System of Supports for LEAs over the 1% threshold

September 2025 - October 2025

November 2025 - December 2025

January 2026 - February 2026

ISBEs internal action steps to increase participation of students with disabilities in regular state assessments

Ongoing internal actions by quarter

Professional Learning Opportunities

| | September
2025 | October
2025 | November
2025 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Status | | | | | Timeline and Plan for Implementing Tiered System of Supports for LEAs over the 1% threshold. | | Oct 1:
Notify LEAs about the Kickoff Webinar via Click Dimensions, Superintendent’s Weekly Message and through IAASE. (Consider presentation for IAASE Fall conference)
Oct 1:
Educator Preview opens in MyIRC to view preliminary Illinois Report Card Data. | Nov 20:
Kickoff Webinar to notify all LEAs regarding the newly defined processes for Alternate Assessment 1% threshold. | | ISBEs internal action steps to increase participation of students with disabilities in regular state assessments. | • ISBE staff reviews/edits current notifications, supporting documents and guidance documents related to Alternate Assessment 1% Threshold.
• ISBE staff reviews current TA opportunities related to assessment to build LEA capacity.
• ISBE staff build infographics to share with LEAs regarding the new tiering process. | • ISBE staff reviews finalized assessment data.
• ISBE staff finalize all documents related to Alternate Assessment 1% Threshold. | ISBE staff post updated 1% Alternate Assessment documents to the ISBE Alternate Assessment 1% Threshold webpage. | | Professional Learning Opportunities | | Webinar focusing on Accessibility Features and Accommodations on the Regular State Assessments.
Record webinar on new Justification and
Assurances process/requirement in early October | Recorded webinar on new Justification and Assurances process/requirement.
Record webinar on Assessment Decision Making Tool | | | December
2025 | January
2026 | February
2026 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Status | | | | | Timeline and Plan for Implementing Tiered System of Supports for LEAs over the 1% threshold. | • LEA planning time to review/update policies, procedures, and processes for making decisions regarding assessments for students with disabilities.
• Memo to LEAs and outplacements clarifying state assessment requirements for testing students in private facility placements. | LEA planning time to review/update policies, procedures, and processes for making decisions regarding assessments for students with disabilities. | Tier 2 and Tier 3 LEAs work on required actions. | | | | Jan 16: LEAs over the 1% threshold are notified of their tiered assignment and required actions. | Feb 1: Assurances and Justifications window opens for LEA completion | | | | Jan 26:
Memo to LEAs via Click Dimensions and Supt. Weekly Message regarding the Assurance and Justifications window opening for all LEAs. | | | ISBEs internal action steps increase participation of students with disabilities in regular state assessments. | ISBE staff finalize tiering of LEAs over 1% threshold and assigns principal consultant to Tier 2 and Tier 3 LEAs. | ISBE staff completes initial outreach to assigned Tier 2 and Tier 3 LEAs. | ISBE staff provides TA and support to assigned Tier 2 and Tier 3 LEAs with required actions. | | Professional Learning Opportunities | Recorded webinar on Assessment Decision Making Tool
Record webinar for Tier 3 LEAs | Recorded webinars for Tier 3 LEAs posted 1/16/26 to ISBE webpage-request record webinar in early December | ISBE staff present at IAASE Winter Conference
Office Hours
Focus on Data Systems and Analysis
LEAs will be able to identify data, where to locate it, and how to analyze it. LEAs will review data for trends and patterns in assigning students to alternate assessment. February 10, 2026 (tentative) | | | | | Tier 3 LEAs required to attend.
Tier 1 & 2 LEAs recommended to attend | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | March
2026 | April
2026 | May
2026 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Status | | | | | Timeline and Plan for Implementing Tiered System of Supports for LEAs over the 1% threshold. | March 1:
LEA Action Plan, Policies and Procedures review and LEA IEPe

FAQs

What is the purpose of the tiered system for LEAs over the 1% threshold?

It establishes newly defined processes and required actions for LEAs whose participation exceeds the 1% threshold, guiding how they make assessment decisions and complete required documentation windows.

Which major deadlines and windows affect LEAs during the plan period?

Key items include notification of tiered assignments, openings and closings for assurances and justifications, DLM-AA testing windows, SIS-based assessment corrections, and enrollment verification report availability and review periods.

What professional learning opportunities does ISBE provide to support LEAs and staff?

ISBE delivers webinars on accessibility features, accommodations, and assessment processes, records and posts sessions for Tier 3 LEAs, and runs office hours focused on data systems, analysis, and policy/procedure development for alternate assessments.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Muffet