Colorado Alternate Assessment (CoAlt)

Students in grades 3-11 who are working toward Extended Evidence Outcomes (EEOs), have a significant cognitive disability, and have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that reflects that the student is alternate assessment eligible will take the CoAlt. These students take the CoAlt assessment instead of CMAS or the PSAT/SAT. 

• All eligible 3rd-11th graders will take the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) English Language Arts & Math assessments.
• Eligible 5th, 8th and 11th graders will take the CoAlt Science assessment.
• This year, students in grades 4 and 7 will participate in the CoAlt Social Studies at sampled schools. 

Basic Overview

The CoAlt assessments are aligned to the Extended Evidence Outcomes (EEOs), which are the alternate Colorado Academic Standards. 

The alternate English language arts (ELA) and mathematics assessments are different than the alternate science assessment. See below for a table on how they are different. 

	Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)	CoAlt Science & Social Studies
Subjects	English Language Arts & Mathematics	Science & Social Studies
Grade Levels	3rd-11th	Science - 5th, 8th, 11th Social Studies - 4th, 7th (sampled schools)
Test Window	April 7 - April 25	April 7 - April 25 (High Schools may have a different Science testing window - please check with school)
Test Format	Computer-Based	Paper-Based

 

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) English Language Arts & Mathematics

The DLM English Language Arts (ELA) & Math assessment is done completely online in short 5-15 minute sessions done individually with a teacher who the student knows best. ELA & Math each have a total of 6-9 sessions. Sessions may utilize hands-on materials and are adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level may change depending on how students perform. The assessment is highly accommodated, allowing for several supports, visuals, and allowing for multiple methods to present the assessment and for students to respond. 

CoAlt Science & Social Studies

The CoAlt Science & Social Studies assessments are both paper-based in a one-to-one setting. The test takes approximately 35 minutes to complete but may be given in several short sections over several days as needed. Manipulatives and materials are prepped by the test administrator prior to the assessment. Teachers will record the student's answer choices which is then sent in for scoring after the testing window. Many supports are also allowable on the assessment in order to meet the student's needs. 

Click here to View Sample English Language Arts and Mathematics Items

Click here to View Sample CoAlt Science Items

CoAlt English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies will occur from April 7-April 25, 2025. 

High Schools will have the ability to choose between an early or later Science window (11th grade only). Please check with your child's school to find out when Science testing will occur. 

Please view this CoAlt family flyer for an overview of the assessment. 

Below are translations of the document:

• CoAlt Family Flyer (Spanish)
• CoAlt Family Flyer (Chinese)
• CoAlt Family Flyer (Russian)
• CoAlt Family Flyer (Vietnamese)

Families have a right to refuse participation in CoAlt for their students. Please contact your student’s school If you have questions about the process for refusing participation in state assessments.

Reports

CoAlt paper reports are shared with families in the fall after they are delivered by the state. Please check with your child's school if your child participated in last year's CoAlt assessment and you have not received your results yet. 

Understanding Results

Your child's CoAlt results will help your child's teachers, school, and district know and understand which areas of the Extended Evidence Outcomes your child may be doing well in and which areas may need additional supports. Results will show you the areas in each content in which your child is at, below or above grade level expectations. Below are some supports to help you understand the results. 

• Understanding your Child's DLM English Language Arts and Mathematics Score Report (Spanish Version)
• Understanding the CoAlt Science Score Report
• English Language Arts Performance Level Descriptors
• Mathematics Performance Level Descriptors