The Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) is designed to evaluate the performance of students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school who are working on academic standards that have been reduced in depth, breadth, and complexity. These standards, referred to as the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) and the Aligned Standards of Learning (ASOL), are derived from the Standards of Learning (SOL). 

VAAP eligibility criteria requires that the student receives a curriculum significantly reduced in complexity and depth and the student’s disability impacts other aspects of their instruction, such as communication, behavior, and/or self-help skills. It is the combination of these academic challenges which precludes the student from being able to access grade level content, which would prevent them from earning the necessary standard and verified credits required for a standard or advanced studies diploma. Eligibility for VAAP participation is determined by the student's IEP team using the VAAP Participation Decision Making Tool.