What is the CSAPA and why is it offered?

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) require that students with disabilities must be included in general state and district-wide assessment programs. The Colorado Student Assessment Program Alternate (CSAPA) was created, in accordance with federal guidelines, to provide an alternate assessment for students, who because of the nature or intensity of their disability, are unable to take the CSAP.

Who will take the CSAPA?

Only about 1% of the general population of students should take the CSAPA. These are students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The CSAPA was developed to measure progress for students who are beginning to demonstrate emerging foundational skills of content standards.

Who determines whether a student takes the CSAP or CSAPA?

IEP teams define how students will participate in the state assessment process. When considering whether a student will take the CSAP or CSAPA, the starting point for participation should always be the CSAP. If a student is able to perform the skills at the CSAPA “novice” level, then the general CSAP will be the most appropriate assessment.(For more information on eligibility, click the Eligibility Guidelines button.)

How are the CSAP and CSAPA alike?

The CSAPA, like the CSAP, is based on Colorado Standards, measures a student’s yearly progress toward standards, is a criterion-referenced assessment, developed with the teaching community, and administered in the Spring of each year.The CSAPA differs from the CSAP in the following ways:

• It is an activity-based, rather than paper and pencil, measure of performance.
• It measures how independently a student performs tasks on an activity, rather than correct responses to multiple choice and constructed questions.
• Any adaptation necessary for the student to perform the task is allowed, rather than only standardized accommodations.

We hope that this website location will be helpful to you. Please use it as you prepare for decisions about CSAPA eligibility and administration.