Academic Assessments

ACAP Summative
Grades: 2-8

The ACAP Summative is Alabama’s mandatory, web-based standardized assessment for students in Grades 2–8. It measures student mastery of the Alabama Course of Study Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as Science in Grades 4, 6, and 8. ACAP data is used to support student progress monitoring, instructional planning, and school and district accountability.

The ACAP Summative is a criterion-referenced assessment, meaning student performance is measured against state standards rather than compared only to other students. Detailed score reports help educators identify academic strengths, areas of need, and appropriate instructional supports. The Grade 3 Reading subtest plays a critical role in promotion decisions as outlined in Alabama law.

ACAP results provide:

• Clear performance level information aligned to Alabama academic standards

• Actionable data to guide classroom instruction, interventions, and enrichment

• School and district-level data to support continuous improvement efforts

• Growth measures in ELA and Math that show how much academic progress a student has made compared to peers with similar prior achievement

Performance Levels

Student performance is reported across four achievement levels. Levels 3 and 4 indicate proficiency.

• Level 1 – Below Basic: Limited understanding of grade-level standards

• Level 2 – Basic: Partial understanding of grade-level standards

• Level 3 – Proficient: Consistent understanding and application of grade-level standards

• Level 4 – Advanced: Strong understanding and advanced application of grade-level standards

Students also receive the following scores:

• Scale Score: A numerical score converted from raw responses that shows a student’s exact placement within a performance level

• Growth Score (ELA and Math): A percentile rank (1–99) indicating a student’s academic growth compared to peers with similar prior achievement, reflecting whether learning progress is faster, similar to, or slower than expected

Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA)
Grades: K-8, 11

The Alabama Alternate Assessment(AAA) is a criterion-referenced state assessment administered as an alternate to the general education state assessment. The AAA is administered to students with significant cognitive disabilities working on the Alabama Extended Standards in the areas of reading, English language arts, mathematics and science.

The AAA is designed with four levels of complexity and three levels of assistance selected by the teacher based on the student's abilities to complete a task. During the school year, the teacher provides instruction on all extended standards for the subjects to be assessed according to the student's grade-level and collects pieces of evidence reflective of the student's performance. Three pieces of evidence per extended content standard are selected as the student's portfolio, and the evidence is scored using the AAA Rubric:

• Alignment to the extended standard
• Complexity of the extended content standard
• Level of assistance
• Mastery of content

Special education students participating in the AAA are taught Alabama Extended Standards throughout the school year. Decisions regarding the assessment of a special education student are made by the IEP Team.

ACCESS (Assessing Competency and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners)
Grades: K-12

ACCESS for ELLs (English Language Learners) measures the level of English language proficiency for LEP (Limited English Proficiency) / ELL students. This assessment reports information about a student's level of social and academic English language proficiency. Social language is used to communicate for everyday purposes. Academic language is used to communicate the content of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

PreACT
Grade 10

Developed by ACT, it helps students, educators, and families understand how prepared students are for future academic challenges and provides an early indication of potential ACT® performance.

ACT Plus Writing
Grade 11

The ACT serves as the capstone assessment of ACT College and Career Readiness Solutions and is fully aligned with Alabama’s College and Career Readiness Standards. In Alabama, all Grade 11 students enrolled in public high schools participate in the ACT Plus Writing.

The ACT is a nationally recognized assessment that:

• Is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States

• Meets federal accountability requirements and has been approved for statewide assessment use

• Provides school and district leaders with standards-based and aggregate data to monitor student performance over time

• Supports instructional improvement efforts aimed at strengthening college and career readiness across Alabama

• Expands college awareness and exposure for all students, not just those who self-identify as college-bound

• Offers clear, user-friendly information showing how ACT assessments align with state academic standards

ACT Individual High School Reports are valuable tools for counselors and teachers as they support students in planning for life after high school. These reports provide insight into students’ academic strengths and areas for growth, college aspirations, and career interests. Teachers and administrators use ACT Profile Reports to inform intervention planning, curriculum review, course offerings, collaborative discussions, and professional learning—ensuring instruction is responsive and aligned to student needs.