1. Accommodations & SpEd Assessment
January 25, 2012
TETN #10418
TEA’s Student Assessment Division

2. Disclaimer
These slides have been prepared and approved by the Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency.
If any slide is amended or revised for use in local or regional trainings, please remove the TEA footer at the bottom of the slide.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

3. Caution
There are a lot of really good trainings and presentations from outside sources that summarize STAAR policies and testing accommodation policies.
Take advantage of opportunities to participate in all trainings and presentations.
However, use the TEA webpages and presentations as the primary source of accurate information. Critical content can oftentimes be compromised when information is summarized into “at-a-glance” charts or simply worded documents.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

4. Agenda Answers to Recent FAQs
What’s New on the Student Assessment Webpages
Accommodations Update
Answers to Recent FAQs
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

5. What’s New on the Student Assessment Webpages?
STAAR Time Limits Policies and Procedures
PowerPoint presentations from the December 2011 Assessment Conference
Special Education Graduation Flowcharts
STAAR Dictionary and Calculator Policies (not accommodations)
STAAR Modified Released Test Questions
Accommodation Information…more to come in a bit
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

6. What’s New on the Student Assessment Webpages?
Revised TETN Schedule for Accommodations & SpEd Assessments Updates
Date: February 29, 2012
Date: February 28, 2012 (NEW DATE) Event#: 10419
Date: April 18, 2012 (NO CHANGES) Event#: 10420
Date: May 23, 2012 (CANCELLED) Event#: 10421
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

7. Accommodations Update
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

8. Eligibility Criteria Clarification
If the eligibility criteria looks similar to this…
…then the student must meet ALL of the criteria listed
“and” means that ALL lines with a check box must be true
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

9. Eligibility Criteria Clarification
If the eligibility criteria looks like this
Then the student must meet ALL of the first few bullets
AND
ONE of last few bullets.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

10. Documents on the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Webpage with No Changes
Look for “Fall 2011” in footer
Amplification Devices
Projection Devices
Font and Point Size Matrices
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

11. Updates to Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Webpage
Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer.
If you have a version of the following documents with “Fall 2011” in footer, it is outdated.
Print a new document that has “Updated December 2011” in footer.
Critical Information about Accommodations for Students with Disabilities…
Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials
Manipulating Test Materials
Math Manipulatives
Calculation Devices
Supplemental Aids
Large Print
Dictionary
Oral/Signed Administration
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

12. Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Critical Information about Accommodations for Students with Disabilities…
Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
Page 2: Removed individual administration and small-group administration from the list of examples of Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials
Page 3: Revisions to paragraph describing Type 3 accommodations
Page 4: Revisions to paragraph describing accommodation use in unexpected or emergency situations
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

13. Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials
Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
Reorganization of information on page 1
Paragraph 2: Clarifications regarding “any student” vs “every student;” make materials available but do not require their use
Paragraph 3: Clarifications to required documentation & removal of the authority for decision phrases
New Bullet: Read Aloud the Writing Prompt
Clarification to instrumental music under Minimize Distractions: Campus testing coordinator must verify that there are no lyrics
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

14. Manipulating Test Materials
Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
One typo corrected
No changes to eligibility criteria
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

15. Mathematics Manipulatives
Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
Addition of a new eligibility criterion
Additional information to geometric figures regarding 3D form and 2D form (nets); no colors used as labels
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

16. Calculation Devices Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
No changes to eligibility criteria
Reordered bullets under Special Instructions/ Considerations
Removed some bullets and replaced with new 3rd bullet about required calculator use for some assessments:
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

17. Supplemental Aids Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
No changes to eligibility criteria
Clarifications and revisions to allowable supplemental aids
Mnemonic Devices: Only mnemonic devices that are acronyms or phrases based on an acronym should be used.
Blank Graphic Organizers: Colors used as labels added to the NEVER list. Arrows and fill-in-the-blank spaces removed from the NEVER list.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

18. Supplemental Aids
Math: Pictorial Models may be provided in either 3D form or 2D form (net) but NOT in both forms. Colors used as labels added to the NEVER list. Arrows and fill-in-the-blank spaces removed from the NEVER list.
Science Graphics: Colors used as labels added to the NEVER list. Arrows and fill-in-the-blank spaces removed from the NEVER list.
Social Studies Graphics: Blank maps should NEVER contain titles, words, labels, colors used as labels, pictures, acronyms, mnemonics, numbers, symbols, or variables.
Social Studies Timelines: Only dates are allowed. Labeling in any other way is NEVER allowed.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

19. Supplemental Aids
2 new bullets added under Special Instructions/ Considerations
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

20. Supplemental Aids
New training slides posted with examples of allowable and non-allowable supplemental aids
Supplemental Aids for STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, and STAAR L: What's Allowed and What's Not? (PPT posted 01/02/12)
Correction to Slide #13
It is allowable for the
Multiplication Chart to
have the multiplication
symbol in the upper corner
to indicate the operation.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

21. Large Print Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
No changes to eligibility criteria
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

22. Dictionary Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
No changes to eligibility criteria
Added description of bilingual and ESL dictionaries under Examples/Types
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

23. Dictionary
Reordered bullets and clarified information under Special Instructions/Considerations
Refer to STAAR Dictionary Policy document for required dictionaries
Students should use the same type of dictionary they routinely use during classroom instruction and testing.
Must be commercially produced, not teacher-made or student-made.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

24. Oral/Signed Administration
Look for “Updated December 2011” in footer
Edits to grammar/style that don’t affect content
No changes to eligibility criteria
All references to reading support also apply to signing during a signed administration.
New format for listing the assessments that OA may be used for, but no changes to the content. Still not allowed for the writing tests, including writing tests in English I, English II, and English III. Reading aloud the writing prompt is addressed under Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

25. Oral/Signed Administration
Special Instructions/Considerations
Added “If this accommodation is distracting to other students or compromises the security of the test, an individual administration is required.”
Reordered and added information to be consistent with the Oral/Signed Administration appendix to all of the test administrator manuals.
For reading tests (including English I, II, and III), student must read selection first. Then the TA may read aloud each test question and answer choices. The questions and answer choices must be read aloud in the order they are presented.
For math, science, and social studies tests, the questions and answer choices must be read aloud in the order they are presented. The test question must be read aloud prior to reading the answer choices.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

26. Newly Posted Documents to the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Webpage
Individual or Small-
Group Administration
Spelling Assistance
Braille
Photocopying Test Materials
Trained in
TETN #10417
Reminders to Stay on Task
Basic Transcribing
Complex Transcribing
Extra Time (Same Day)
Extra Day
Other
General Instructions for Administering Braille and Large-Print Statewide Assessments
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

27. Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

28. Reminders to Stay on Task1
Description
Allows a test administrator to provide a student with a disability reminders to stay on task during statewide testing beyond what is required in the standard test administration procedures.
Assessments
STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L, TELPAS
Eligibility Criteria
The student routinely and effectively uses this accommodation during classroom instruction and testing.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

29. Reminders to Stay on Task1
Type 1, so no Accommodation Request Form required.
Mark blank bubble under Type 1 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on student’s answer document.
Examples/Types
More frequent or less frequent reminders of time left to test. Refer to the STAAR Time Limits Policies and Procedures on STAAR Resources webpage for information about announcing to all students the time left to test.
Verbal and visual reminders
Tactile reminders can include using paperclips to divide test into sections
Auditory reminders can include a personal timer or clock
It is allowable to assist some students with certain reminders (paperclips, timer).
It is preferable that the student control the use of the reminder when possible.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

30. Basic Transcribing 2 Description Assessments
Allows a test administrator to transfer student responses onto an answer document when a student with a disability is unable to accomplish this task independently.
Transferring student responses from one source onto the answer document is the important part to understand.
The student has indicated responses in some other place/manner for the TA to record onto the answer document.
Assessments
STAAR , STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L
Refer to Special Instructions/Considerations for TELPAS
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

31. Basic Transcribing 2 Type 2 - no Accommodation Request Form required.
Mark blank bubble under Type 2 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on student’s answer document.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

32. Basic Transcribing 2 Examples/Types
Basic Transcribing applies to these situations ONLY:
Student writes, circles, or points to responses in test booklet for multiple-choice and/or griddable questions. TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.
Student dictates or signs responses to MC, griddable, and/or short-answer reading questions. TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

33. Basic Transcribing 2 Examples/Types (continued)
Student writes responses on scratch paper/another workspace or types on a word processor for MC, griddable, short-answer reading questions, and/or the writing prompts. TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.
Student uses speech-to-text software to indicate responses for MC, griddable, short-answer reading questions, and/or the writing prompts. After printing the text, TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

34. Basic Transcribing 2 Special Instructions/ Considerations
When transcribing a student’s dictated or signed responses to the short-answer reading questions, TA is not required to ask for clarification from student regarding spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Not part of scoring rubric.
The student must be given the full amount of time allotted to complete the test. The TA may transfer student responses onto the answer document after the testing period has ended.
For info about TA transcribing a student’s dictated or signed responses to the writing prompts, refer to the Complex Transcribing accommodation policy.
If student needs TA to write for other reasons (e.g., make notes in test booklet, write computations during math test), refer to the Other accommodation policy.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

35. Basic Transcribing 2
“Transcribing Griddable Questions – Student Document”
Must be used when transcribing student responses to griddable questions. Also applies to LP tests.
Allows the student to know the maximum number of spaces available for an answer to a griddable question.
All student documents and a training document will be available in February at
STAAR Modified Geometry is a field test this spring; this sheet is not available.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

36. Basic Transcribing 2 Special Instructions/ Considerations (continued)
If Basic Transcribing can be used to meet a student’s needs in an unexpected or emergency situation, it is not necessary to contact TEA.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

37. Basic Transcribing 2 This document requires an update to the
Special Instructions/Considerations section
and will be reposted with “Updated February
2012” in the footer:
If the student uses technology to respond to test questions or the writing prompts, ensure the following (if applicable to the technology)
internet access must be disabled
all special features (e.g., spell check, word predictor) must be disabled unless the student meets the eligibility criteria outlined in the Spelling Assistance accommodation policy
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

38. Complex Transcribing 3 Description Assessments
Allows a test administrator to record onto an answer document a student’s dictated or signed responses to the writing prompts when the student is unable to accomplish this task independently.
Also applies to prewriting or drafts
Not addressed under Basic Transcribing because this involves interaction between student and TA regarding spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, and this requires guidance from TEA.
Assessments
Written composition parts of STAAR , STAAR Spanish, and STAAR Modified on grade 4 or grade 7 writing tests
Written composition parts of STAAR and STAAR Modified English I, English II, or English III tests
Does not apply to the multiple-choice revising and editing section
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

39. Complex Transcribing 3
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

40. Complex Transcribing 3 Authority for Decision/Documentation
Applicable committee recommends the use of the accommodation and documents as “pending TEA approval”.
Mark blank bubble under Type 3 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on student’s answer document.
Type 3 – Accommodation Request Form required.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

41. Complex Transcribing 3 Examples/Types
Only used when the student dictates or signs responses
to writing prompts for the TA to transcribe.
Special Instructions/Considerations
TEA will provide guidelines about how to indicate the student’s spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, along with other procedures, with any approved ARF.
The student must be given the full amount of time allotted to complete the entire test (4 hours each day). This includes the MC part as well as the written compositions. The TA may transfer the final responses onto the answer document after the testing period has ended if necessary.
If Complex Transcribing is necessary in an unexpected or emergency situation, the district must immediately contact TEA for permission and guidance.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

42. Extra Time (Same Day) 2 Description Assessments
Allows a student with a disability to have extra time until the end of the school day to complete a statewide assessment.
Assessments
STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L
TELPAS is already administered during the entire school day
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

43. Extra Time (Same Day) 2
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

44. Extra Time (Same Day) 2
Type 2 – no Accommodation Request Form required.
Mark blank bubble and XT under Type 2 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on student’s answer document.
Special Instructions/Considerations
Not intended for all students in a specific disability category.
Only for a student with a disability with a proven need and documented success by using extra time on assignments similar in length and rigor to statewide assessment.
Not allowable for general test anxiety or to complete specific testing strategies.
Extra time testing sessions must never extend beyond a typical 7-hour school day for any one student.
Special instructions for an ELL with a disability using extra time.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

45. Extra Day 3 Description Assessments
Allows a student with a disability to have an extra day to complete a statewide assessment.
Assessments
STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L, TELPAS
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

46. Extra Day 3
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

47. Extra Day 3 Authority for Decision/Documentation
Applicable committee recommends the use of the accommodation and documents as “pending TEA approval”.
Mark blank bubble and XD under Type 3 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on student’s answer document.
Type 3 – Accommodation Request Form required.
Special Instructions/Considerations
TEA will provide additional guidelines with any approved ARF.
Intended for an extremely small group of students with disabilities who have a proven/documented need.
1-day tests extended to 2 full, consecutive school days (not to exceed 7 hours each day); 2-day tests extended to 3 full, consecutive school days (not to exceed 7 hours each day)
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

48. Other 3 Description Assessments
Accommodations for students with disabilities who have unique needs that are not specifically addressed in the Accommodation Triangle.
Assessments
STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L, TELPAS
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

49. Other 3 Authority for Decision/Documentation
Applicable committee recommends the use of the accommodation and documents as “pending TEA approval”.
Mark blank bubble under Type 3 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on student’s answer document.
Type 3 – Accommodation Request Form required
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

50. Other 3 Example/Types Special Instructions/Considerations
Other applies to accommodations that are not addressed in the Accommodation Triangle.
Other does not apply to accommodations for which a student does not meet the published eligibility criteria.
Other does not apply to things not included in the published accommodation policies, like additional supplemental aids or dictionaries for math, science, and social studies.
Special Instructions/Considerations
DTC calls ATF member to determine if desired accommodation fits this category. If so, ATF member enters into online system.
TEA will provide additional guidelines with any approved ARF.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

51. Addresses issues related to both the TAKS and STAAR testing programs
General Instructions for Administering Braille and Large-Print Statewide Assessments
Addresses issues related to both the TAKS and STAAR testing programs
Addresses specific procedures for:
Student materials/equipment (e.g., different types of paper and pens, slate and stylus, low-vision devices, speech-output calculators, special lighting)
Word processor to generate a written response
Audio-graphing calculator
More time to complete testing
Transcribing Griddable Questions student document
Transcribing to answer document
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

52. Accommodation Request Process for Type 3 Accommodations
Online Accommodation Request Form will open by February 1, 2012
Districts must follow a specific process
More specific training provided in Feb. TETN
Determination of Student Eligibility for a Type 3 Accommodation
Completion and Submission of Online Accommodation Request Form
TEA Review and Decision
Required Communication within District
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

53. Accommodation Request Process for Type 3 Accommodations
Remember… Only Type 3 Accommodations require the submission of an Accommodation Request Form
Complex Transcribing
Photocopy
Extra Day
Other - Always call TEA’s Accommodation Task Force if you think an accommodation is an Other
Which accommodation is an Other?
Blind, cerebral palsy, unable to learn braille – read the reading test?
3rd grader, Special Education, learning disabled in math – calculator?
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

54. What is left to post?
Accommodation Request Process for Type 3 Accommodations – before Feb. 1
Guidelines for Recording Accommodation Use on the Student’s Answer Document
General Instructions for Administering Statewide Assessments to Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

55. Answers to Recent FAQs
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

56. In the eligibility criteria for Oral/Signed Administration, what would “evidence of reading difficulties” look like in the IEP or IAP? 
A student who meets the following criteria may receive an oral administration:
“…Evidence of reading difficulties” is not intended to mean that the student must be identified as learning disabled in reading. Some students may have a disability, either cognitive or emotional for instance, that directly impacts their ability to decode text.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

57. The Section 504/ARD committee needs to ensure that the IAP/IEP contains evidence that the student has reading difficulties and is receiving accommodations to support this need.
Example Evidence: diagnostic test results, observational reports, class grades with and without reading support, goals/objectives
Remember… just because a student has reading difficulties, doesn’t mean an oral administration is going to help. This accommodation should be used only for students who use it ROUTINELY and EFFECTIVELY in the class.
A similar answer applies to the eligibility criteria for Calculation Devices that states, “The student has a disability that affects mathematics calculations.”
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

58. “Evidence” = documentation in the IEP or IAP
REMEMBER:
“Evidence” = documentation in the IEP or IAP
“Reading Difficulties” = a problem reading
Don’t just focus on the disability or label a student has
Focus on the accommodations the student is using in class to address his/her needs
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

59. Is an Oral Administration allowed for writing tests?
An Oral/Signed Administration is not allowed on the grades 4 and 7 writing tests and the English I, II, and III writing tests.
That is why writing is not included in the list of assessments for which Oral Administration applies to.
However, refer to the Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials document for information about reading aloud the writing prompts.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

60. Can a student receiving an Oral Administration have Extra Time too?
The student MAY have Extra Time if he/she meets the eligibility criteria for this accommodation.
A student MAY NOT have Extra Time just because they are receiving an Oral Administration.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

61. Is ADD or ADHD considered an emotional or behavioral disorder that can affect focus, allowing for Extra Time? 
This decision should be made by the appropriate team at the campus-level (e.g., ARD committee, Section 504 committee, RTI team, student assistance team) based on the eligibility criteria for Extra Time.
Example: The campus-level team could determine a student with ADD/ADHD could have extra time if
he/she routinely used extra time to complete classroom assignments and assessments, AND
he/she had evidence that extra time was effective in meeting the student’s needs, AND
he/she had evidence that Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials/Type 1 accommodations/Type 2 accommodations had been tried and did not alone (or at all) address the student’s needs, AND
the ADD manifested itself as a behavioral/emotional problem that affected attention/focus and required frequent/lengthy breaks
For some students, the answer could be YES. For others, the answer would be NO.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

62. …then Type 1 should NOT be recorded on the answer document.
If a student receives an individual administration because he/ she was distracting to other students during testing, do I mark the accommodation on the answer document?
If a student receives an individual administration because the school followed this guidance (listed on many accommodation policy documents)…
…then Type 1 should NOT be recorded on the answer document.
This is an example of maintaining test security and confidentiality, not a testing accommodation.
TEA only wants data in the ACCOMMODATIONS field when a student requires a testing accommodation and has documentation in the applicable paperwork.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

63. Can students taking STAAR and STAAR Modified be grouped together on test day?
You will have separate test administrator manuals for STAAR grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and EOC
So students taking mathematics, science, and social studies tests CAN be grouped across these grades/courses and testing programs IF they are not receiving optional test administration procedures/materials or accommodations that may be distracting to other students (e.g., reading test aloud to self, oral administration)
Example: May be OK to group all students taking 4-5 mathematics but not OK to group all students taking grades 5-6 mathematics (because there are separate test administrator manuals)
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

64. STAAR Modified grades 3-8 reading
Students taking STAAR reading and writing tests could be grouped together IF they are not receiving optional test administration procedures/materials or accommodations that may be distracting to other students
But… students taking the following STAAR Modified tests CANNOT be grouped across grades or with students taking STAAR
STAAR Modified grades 3-8 reading
STAAR Modified grades 4 and 7 writing
STAAR Modified English I or II reading and writing tests
These assessments require the test administrator to read aloud parts of the test
Note: Corrections to some STAAR/STAAR Modified TA manuals are already necessary. Look for separate correction pages when the TA manuals are delivered.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

65. What will the weighting of the written composition be on the STAAR Modified writing tests?
This decision has not been finalized at this time.
Keep checking the STAAR Modified Resources webpage for updates.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

66. This will be corrected in the future, maybe not until next year.
The modification guidelines for STAAR Modified Algebra I & Geometry mention directing student attention to the ruler…?
This is an error. Modified test questions for EOC assessments do not direct the students to use the ruler on the state-supplied reference materials.
There is no ruler on the state-supplied reference materials for Algebra I and Geometry.
This will be corrected in the future, maybe not until next year.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

67. Closing
Check the webpages for latest postings before calling or ing.
Call if you need quick answers:
Next TETN #10419, Feb. 28, 1-3 pm.
This PPT will be posted sometime next week.
Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012