The 2020-2021 school year presented unprecedented challenges for States and local educational agencies (LEAs) throughout the country because of the national pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For successful recovery efforts, it is essential to examine the expectations for children with disabilities, English learners with disabilities, and children with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Holding high expectations is key to helping all students meet or exceed State challenging academic standards. One important step is the inclusion of all children with disabilities in State and districtwide assessments as determined in their respective individualized education programs (IEPs), as required under section 612(a)(16) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)--either in a general grade level assessment with or without accommodations or, for those students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, an alternate assessment aligned with alternate academic achievement standards (AAAAAS). This document outlines the requirements for a state seeking to waive the 1.0% cap on students taking an alternate assessment for the 2021-2022 school year.