Title: Memo - Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities
Date: August 1st, 2023
Publishers:
Candice Castillo, Deputy Secretary of Identity, Equity and Transformation
Amanda DeBell, Deputy Secretary of Teaching, Learning and Innovation
RE:
This memorandum provides the federally required definition for students with the most significant
cognitive disabilities (MSCD). By way of background, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) requires children with disabilities to participate in all general State and district-level assessments
unless they cannot participate in these assessments as indicated in their individualized education programs
(IEP). 20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(16)(C). The students in this latter group participate in alternate assessments
in which they are measured against alternate academic achievement standards.