Alternate Assessments Based on Grade-Level Achievement Standards (AA-GLAS)

Alternate assessments based on grade-level achievement standards (AA-GLAS)are assessments that some states used to evaluate the performance of a small group of students with disabilities.

In states that had them, AA-GLAS were for students who required accommodations that were not available on the general assessment to demonstrate skill and knowledge on the grade-level content and grade-level achievement standards. These students could demonstrate achievement in different formats or contexts than were provided by the general assessment. Some students who took the AA-GLAS were English learners (ELs) with disabilities.

A few states currently offer this assessment option, but it is not included in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Most students who participate in alternate assessments take an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS). It is for a different group of students from the AA-GLAS. All states offer an AA-AAS.