The Alternate Assessment or LEAP Connect Pathway is for students with intellectual disabilities.
(It used to be called LAA 1.)
This pathway is for students who need very specialized instruction.
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This is generally for students who have pretty significant intellectual or cognitive challenges. Usually you would know this by early in elementary school.
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These students would be on the Jumpstart pathway and would not be working toward a standard high school diploma.
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Students will have different (simplified) course content and take modified assessment tests. The courses can be geared toward skills that they can use to meet their personal goals. They may focus on life skills more than academic skills.
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Students CAN earn a diploma, but their transcript will reflect this alternate status. It will show a less rigorous course of study and they will not have a Grade Point Average (GPA).
Here's what you should do:
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If your child is on this pathway, or you think they should be, ask their IEP team to explain this option!
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If your IEP team suggests this, but you think your child can do the regular Jumpstart pathway, you can push for that. Ask about supports like the April Dunn Act (Act 833) and Accommodations for classroom learning and testing.
See the link below to download a fact sheet.