This professional development session is intended for special education teachers, special education service providers, and other educators who participate in IEP team decisions regarding statewide assessments. The session will focus on determining whether Michigan's alternate assessment, MI-Access, is appropriate for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Participants will review Michigan's alternate assessment participation criteria, examine student characteristics, and explore how IEP teams make individualized, data-informed decisions. The session will address common misconceptions, appropriate documentation, and the importance of basing assessment decisions on individual student needs rather than disability labels, educational placement, or instructional setting. Participants will strengthen their understanding of how to make and document appropriate, defensible assessment decisions that align with state and federal requirements.

Sessions