PASA Justification

The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification process was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE) in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The ESSA requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject using the PASA does not exceed one percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessment.

Each local educational agency (LEA) must complete and submit the PASA 1.0 Participation Threshold Justification to the BSE if it anticipates that more that 1.0 Percent of its students in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA. A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding the threshold will be made publicly on the PDE website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations. LEAs must also make the document publicly available upon request.

Requests can be made by contacting Angela Boutiller, Special Education Coordinator.