For STAAR Alternate 2 eligibility, which statement describes a valid eligibility requirement?

• A. The student has a significant cognitive disability as determined by the results of an evaluation performed by a qualified evaluation team
• B. The student is reading at grade level
• C. The student has a medical condition
• D. The student is performing above grade level

Answer: (A)

Eligibility for STAAR Alternate 2 centers on whether a student has a significant cognitive disability that is confirmed through an evaluation conducted by a qualified evaluation team. This formal determination ensures the student’s instructional needs align with the alternate assessment and its specially designed standards. Descriptions like reading at grade level, having a medical condition, or performing above grade level do not establish the presence of a significant cognitive disability or the need for an alternate assessment, so they do not serve as valid eligibility criteria. The focus is on cognitive impairment and its impact on participation in grade-level instruction, not on general health or relative achievement.