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Standards and Assessments

Raising academic standards for all students and measuring student achievement to hold schools accountable for educational progress are central strategies for promoting educational excellence and equity in our Nation's schools. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) supports State efforts to establish challenging standards, develop aligned assessments, and build accountability systems for districts and schools. The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) supports States in implementing these requirements through a specified monitoring program, the assessment peer review. OESE also provides guidance, program flexibility through waivers and demonstration programs, and competitive grant opportunities.

Assessment Peer Review

Peer Review Process and Guidance Documents

  • A State's Guide to the U.S. Department of Education's Assessment Peer Review Process (September 24, 2018) PDF (736 KB)
  • Academic Assessment Peer Review Cover Sheet and Index Submission Template (October 3, 2018) (Word) (887KB)
  • ELP Assessment Peer Review Cover Sheet and Index Submission Template (October 3, 2018) (Word) (783KB)
  • Peer Review Application and Checklist, 2023-2024 (Word) (42 KB)

Letters to States Regarding the Assessment Peer Review Process

  • Letter to State Assessment Directors Regarding Assessment Peer Review Information (January 6, 2017) PDF (253 KB)
  • Letter to Chief State School Officers Regarding Assessment Peer Review Outcomes (October 6, 2016) PDF (163 KB)

Peer Review Determinations of State Assessment Systems

  • Decision Letters on Decision Letters on State Final Assessment Systems Under Title I of the ESEA

Assessment Peer Review Webinars and Conferences

  • 2023 SSA State Assessment Conference (September 26 and 27, 2023). A conference on State assessments was held in Arlington, Virginia on September 26 and 27, 2023. The conference included a major focus area on Assessment Peer Review in the Context of Supporting Multiple Approaches to Student Assessment.
    • Conference materials are available at this link.
  • Understanding the Assessment Peer Review Process (July 15, 2021). First of a series of four webinars offered in the summer of 2021. The webinar was aimed at providing a general overview of the assessment peer review process; and offered the perspective of several experts who have served as peer reviewers
  • Deep Dive into Critical Elements 5.4 and 6.4 (July 29, 2021). Second of a series of four webinars offered in the summer of 2021. The webinar was aimed at doing a deep dive into critical elements 5.4 (Monitoring Test Administration for Special Populations) and 6.4 (Reporting). This included highlighting key details in each critical element and discussing the kinds of additional evidence that the Department often requests. Expert panelists discussed their knowledge and experience with these critical elements from a State educational agency perspective and also as a recent assessment peer reviewer.
  • Deep Dive into Critical Elements 2.1 and 3.1 (August 12, 2021). Third of a series of four webinars offered in the summer of 2021. The webinar was aimed at doing a deep dive into critical elements 2.1 (Test Design and Development) and 3.1 (Overall Validity, including Validity based on Content). It was similar in format to the second webinar in this series.
  • Debrief of the Assessment Peer Review Process including Tips & Tricks for Submitting Evidence (August 24, 2021). Fourth of a series of four webinars offered in the summer of 2021. The webinar was aimed at providing a demonstration of the peer review process and providing advice from three peer reviewers on preparing assessment peer review evidence submissions.
  • State English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment Peer Review Webinar (January 31, 2019). This webinar was aimed at providing specific information about the upcoming ELP assessment peer review for States preparing submissions of evidence.
  • State Academic Assessment Peer Review Webinar (October 17, 2019). This webinar was aimed at providing specific information about the upcoming assessment peer review for States preparing submissions of evidence.
  • Assessment Peer Review Seminar (August 1 and 2, 2018). An assessment peer review seminar was held in Washington, DC on August 1 and 2, 2018. The seminar was focused on the updated guide for State assessment peer review, including the peer review of English language proficiency (ELP) assessments. A complete summary of the seminar materials, including handouts, summary notes, participant list and video of all sessions are available at this link.
  • Memo to States Regarding an Update on the Assessment Peer Review Process for 2018-2019 (October 9, 2018) PDF (208 KB)

Guidance and Information Regarding Alternate Assessments Based on Alternative Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS)

Current Guidance on AA-AAAS Waiver Requests

  • Memo to States Regarding the Requirements to Request a Waiver for the 2024-25 School Year (SY) from the One Percent Cap on the Percentage of Students With the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who May Be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (October 3, 2024) (PDF).

Archived Guidance on AA-AAAS and AA-AAAS Waiver Requests

  • Memo to States Regarding the Requirements to Request a Waiver for the 2023-24 School Year (SY) from the One Percent Cap on the Percentage of Students With the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who May Be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (September 20, 2023) (PDF).
  • Memo to States Regarding the Requirements to Request a Waiver for the 2022-23 School Year (SY) from the One Percent Cap on the Percentage of Students With the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who May Be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (September 20, 2022) (PDF).
  • Memo to States Regarding the Requirements to Request a Waiver for the 2021-22 School Year (SY) from the One Percent Cap on the Percentage of Students With the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who May Be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (October 29, 2021) (PDF).
  • Memo to States Regarding the Requirements to Request a Waiver for the 2020-21 School Year (SY) from the One Percent Cap on the Percentage of Students With the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities Who May Be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (June 9, 2020) (PDF).
  • Memo to States Regarding Consequences for States Not Meeting the Requirement to Assess Not More than 1.0 Percent of Students on the Alternate Assessment (March 28, 2019) (PDF) (277 KB)
  • Memo to States with Additional Information Regarding the Cap on the Percentage of Students Who May Be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment (August 27, 2018) (PDF) (270 KB)
  • Memo to States Regarding the Cap on the Percentage of Students who may be Assessed with an Alternate Assessment (May 16, 2017) PDF (256 KB)

Archived Webinars on AA-AAAS Participation

  • 2023 SSA State Assessment Conference (September 26 and 27, 2023). A conference on State assessments was held in Arlington, Virginia on September 26 and 27, 2023. The conference included a major focus area on Best Practices for Reducing and Maintaining Appropriate Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS) Participation Rates
    • Conference materials are available at this link
  • Webinar on Meeting ESEA and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)Requirements: Alternate Assessments and Inclusion of All Students (July 15, 2020)
  • Webinar on How Do We Lower Our Alternate Participation Rates? Five States Tell Their Story? (August 20, 2020)
  • Webinar on Successfully Making and Implementing Participation and Accommodations Decisions for English Learners with Disabilities (August 27, 2020)

Letters to States Regarding AA-AAAS Participation Rates

AA-AAAS Participation in School Year 2017-18

AA-AAAS Participation in School Year 2018-19

School Year 2021-2022

School Year 2022-2023

Assessment Waivers and Other Flexibility

Demonstration Programs and Other Flexibility Guidance

Other Guidance Information

Assessment and Accountability for English Learners

  • Memo to States Regarding English Language Proficiency Assessments (June 28, 2017) PDF (217 KB)

Other Topics and Related Resources

Assessment Funding Opportunities for State Educational Agencies

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
Page Last Reviewed:
October 3, 2024

Related Content

The Office of School Support and Accountability administers grants relevant to Title I and Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 196, as reauthorized (ESEA).