On December 16, 2019, Carole L. Clancy, PDE Director of the Bureau of Special Education, disseminated a PennLink memo titled Individualized Education Program (IEP) Alternative Assessment Changes. The memo states that the PA Bureau of Special Education (BSE) has made changes to the administration of the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) for the 2019-20 school year. Details on the specifics of updates to the 2020 test administration cycle will be included in the required PASA digital training modules, which will be available on the PASA digital website for PASA assessment coordinators and assessors from January 13, 2020 through February 21, 2020.

The memo goes on to say that assessors are no longer required to video record and upload the performance of the student into the PASA Digital system. Narrative notes are also no longer required. Assessors will continue to be required to enter student responses online in the PASA digital system. There is no change to the student response entry by the assessor.  Also, to reduce fiscal constraints associated with IEP form changes, LEAs are not required to make changes to the IEP form at this time. LEAs should inform parents/guardians of these changes accordingly. As IEPs come due or are revised, teams may use the language outlined in this Penn*Link to reflect the change. The revised Section IV of the IEP will be available on PDE’s website and on the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) website by February 1, 2020. This revised section of the IEP may be phased in by LEAs but must be fully implemented by September 1, 2020.

In addition, shipment of assessment materials has been reduced. The vendor will not deliver student assessment booklets. If a student requires printed materials rather than accessing the assessment digitally via an iPad or computer, the assessor must download and provide the printed student materials. Student materials must be printed in color.  Questions or concerns associated with printing of assessment materials may be emailed to [email protected]. The vendor will deliver manipulative kits for the mathematics portion of the 2020 assessment. LEAs are not to return the manipulative kits to the PASA vendor.

Lastly, all printed assessment materials must be properly destroyed by the LEA after the conclusion of the assessment to ensure test security. LEAs are responsible for ensuring the removal of assessment downloads from all iPads and computers. Additionally, all test security affidavits will be completed online through the PASA digital website.

All questions should be submitted to Lisa Hampe at [email protected] or Lynda Lupp at [email protected].