IDOE posts 1% alternate assessment waiver for public comment; submission planned for Dec. 29

Melissa Cavallata, a technical assistance specialist with the Indiana Department of Education, briefed the State Advisory Committee that the state's 1% alternate assessment waiver is posted on the IDOE special education page and open for public comment until midnight on Friday, Dec. 26. She said IDOE will transfer public comments into the waiver application and submit it by Dec. 29 to satisfy the federal requirement of posting the waiver 90 days before the alternate‑assessment window in March.

"That public notice is open until midnight on Friday, December 26th, and we will transfer that information directly into our waiver application so that it's ready to submit by the 29th," Cavallata said. She asked committee members and the public to submit comments through the Jotform linked on the IDOE page and noted the department will update the advisory committee once the federal response is received. Cavallata also stated that last year Indiana's waiver was denied because the state exceeded the 1% cap for alternate assessments in English/language arts, math and science.

Cavallata said if the federal government issues a denial again, IDOE will pursue the appeal process as needed and will share those developments with the advisory committee. The committee did not take formal action on the waiver during this meeting; staff said they will continue to provide updates to the committee as the submission and federal review proceed.

Next steps: Public comments due Dec. 26; IDOE will submit the waiver by Dec. 29 and report back to the State Advisory Committee after the federal review or any appeal action.