Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner

In April, 2007 the U.S. Department of Education announced an option for states to develop and administer an alternate statewide assessment based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (MAAS) for students with disabilities. This assessment’s purpose is to provide a more appropriate means of measuring the skills of a student whose disability interferes with performance on large scale assessments. Tennessee has been awarded a General Supervision Enhancement Grant (GSEG) for an initiative that includes development of a modified academic achievement assessment, support and training for LEA implementation of the TCAP MAAS and standards based IEPs, data analysis, and ongoing program improvement activity. In Tennessee, the MAAS assessment for students with disabilities in grades 3 through 8 is intended to evaluate individual learning needs and yield results that more accurately reflect students’ academic progress while also guiding instruction based on individual students’ needs. Students’ scores of Proficient or Advanced on the TCAP MAAS may be included in AYP calculations, subject to a cap of 2% of all students assessed at the state and district levels.  The decision for TCAP MAAS participation is an IEP team decision based on the needs of the individual student.