Welcome

ILSSA is a group of nationally recognized special education and evaluation experts who:

• Have extensive experience in partnering with state departments to develop inclusive large scale assessment systems that include students with significant cognitive disabilities.
• Have extensive expertise in working with students with disabilities, their teachers, educational teams, and their families.
• Are current in and contribute to research and resources for best practices about the instruction and assessment of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
• Form partnerships to ensure work is customized to each client’s particular need.

We believe every student with significant cognitive disabilities should have access to excellent education and assessment. That vision includes the following practices :

• Assessment is conducted to improve instruction.
• Students are taught general education curriculum alongside their general education peers.
• Teachers believe all students can and should learn grade level content.
• Students have effective communication systems and support.
• Learning environments and activities are universally designed.
• Teachers have access to and use research-based instructional strategies to teach.
• Teachers use supports to increase a student’s independence, not replace teaching.
• Grade level general curriculum materials are available to effectively teach students with significant cognitive disabilities.
• Teachers have the skills to modify general education grade level activities for students with significant cognitive disabilities.