West Virginia uses multiple state assessments to measure student achievement and inform program decision making. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) requires participation of students with disabilities in statewide assessments to be consistent with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001 (ESEA) and current with the requirements of Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). States are required to provide guidance for appropriate participation of all students including English Learners and those with disabilities in required state assessments. The West Virginia Department of Education has crafted this document, "Guidelines for Participation in West Virginia State Assessments, 2018-2019" to: (1) Provide policy guidance to individualized education program (IEP) teams, Section 504 committees, and English Learner (EL) committees for appropriately accommodating students in statewide and district-wide assessments; (2) Help teachers and schools work within the framework of federal law and state policies; and (3) Provide information for documentation of implementation and assurances for federal requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA 2015) which has replaced requirements within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) enacted in 2002. This document includes requirements set by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004).