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The Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) is designed to evaluate the performance of students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, the portfolio-based VAAP was replaced with a new multiple-choice assessment in the content areas of reading, mathematics, and science that was administered to students in an online or paper format.
The new VAAP is based on academic content standards derived from the Standards of Learning (SOL) in reading, mathematics, and science that have been reduced in depth, breadth, and complexity. These content standards are referred to as the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL).
General Questions about VAAP
Who takes the VAAP?
The VAAP is the statewide alternate assessment that is specifically designed to evaluate the achievement of students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school. Only students with significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA and who meet the VAAP participation criteria may be assessed through the VAAP. Eligibility decisions can only be made by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Students with disabilities served by 504 Plans are not eligible for participation in VAAP.
Which tests will my student take?
The content areas assessed by the new VAAP are reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and high school and science in grades 5, 8, and high school. Each content area has academic standards based on the Standards of Learning (SOL) that have been reduced in complexity, breadth, and depth. These academic standards are called the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL). Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) (PDF)
Grade 3
– Reading and Math
Grade 4
– Reading and Math
– Portfolio: VA Studies
Grade 5
– Reading, Math, Science
Grade 6
– Reading and Math
Grade 7
– Reading and Math
– Portfolio: Civics and Economics
Grade 8
– Reading, Math, Science
– Portfolio: Writing
Grade 11
– Reading, Math, Science
What is the testing format?
The VAAP is composed of test questions with 3 answer choices and is delivered in an online and a paper format. It is expected that most students regardless of the format used will be tested individually using multiple and flexible ways to demonstrate their knowledge. The support of assistive technology and alternative communications modes such as verbal responses, pointing, head movement, or eye gaze are allowable.
What does my student's score mean?
Scaled scores on the VAAP test range from 625 to 880. The chart below explains what these numbers mean:
|
Test Scaled Score |
Test Performance Level |
| 780 or higher |
Advanced |
| 740 or above |
Proficient |
| 625 – 739 |
Did Not Meet Proficiency |
| NS |
No Score is available. An explanation of why the student did not receive a score is provided in the performance level descriptor box of the student report. |
Student scores for the Reading, Math, and Science assessments will be shared via ParentVUE.
Collection of Evidence Portfolios
Students in grades 4 and 7 who participate in Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) tests for reading and mathematics also complete a collection of evidence (COE) for history/social science. In grade 8, these students produce a COE for writing, as well.
At the end of the school year, teachers will provide families with a copy of the COE Scoring Worksheet, which reports how students performed on their assessed Aligned Standards of Learning (aSOLs).