FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2022
Superintendent Arntzen Seeks Public Comment for Special Education Alternative Assessment Waiver
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen is preparing to submit a 1% waiver as required by the United States Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has adopted alternate academic achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. OPI measures the achievement of those standards with an alternate assessment aligned with alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS). Federal regulation 34 C.F.R. 200.6(c)(2) requires that, for each subject for which assessments are administered, the total number of students assessed in that subject using an alternate assessment with alternate academic achievement standards may not exceed 1% of the total number of students in the State who are assessed in that subject.
“Education should always seek public comment,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “This waiver is about transparency in assessments for students of all abilities. The alternative assessments meet students at their ability level which is the goal of personalized learning for all of our Montana students.”
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) caps the percentage of students who can take the alternate assessment at 1% of the total students tested. The ESSA also allows states that may exceed the 1% cap to apply for a one-year waiver. Montana has not requested the waiver previously. However, OPI believes the waiver may be necessary for the 2022-2023 school year. OPI has scheduled two virtual webinars that will be open for public comment.
Virtual Zoom Public Comment Webinars (Meeting ID: 816 3452 6859, Password: 178051):
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November 17, 2022: Webinar 1 for public input, 4:00pm-5:00pm
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November 22, 2022: Webinar 2 for public input, 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Public comment may also be submitted to OPIMSAAWaiver@mt.gov through December 7, 2022 at 4:00 PM.
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Questions? Contact:
Brian.O'Leary, Communications Director
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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