1. Testing Accommodations Updates Exceptional Children Conference November 1, 2011 Presented by: Carrie Perkis Division of Accountability Services

2. Accommodation: Changes in the way a student accesses learning/testing Construct does not change; assignment/content does not change Gives students equal access to learning without "watering down" the content 2

3. Accommodations ≠ Modifications 3

4. Accommodations Differ from Modifications in that: Modifications change the construct through altering language load, content complexity, and/or cognitive complexity. Some examples of modifications: Reduced assignments Simplified reading passages Reduced response choices 4

5. Instructional Accommodations *Routine Use* Testing Accommodations drive 5

6. Statewide Assessments End-of-Grade Tests –3-8 Mathematics –3-8 Reading –5 & 8 Science End-of-Course Tests Algebra I English I Biology PLAN – Grade 10 ACT – Grade 11 WorkKeys – Grade 12 6 Alternate Assessments: NCEXTEND2 for 3-8 NCEXTEND1 for grades 3-8, 10, 11 Language Proficiency: W-APT ACCESS for ELLs 2011-12 Field Tests

7. Alternate Assessments NCEXTEND2 and NCEXTEND1 available for: –3-8 Reading –3-8 Mathematics –5 & 8 Science NCEXTEND1 also available for: –Grade 10 Math, Reading, Science –Grade 11 7

8. Updated Testing Accommodations Policy Document Testing Students with Disabilities publication (August 2011) Testing Students with Disabilities Website: www.ncpublicschools.org/ accountability/policies/tswd/ Testing Accommodations Web Site: www.ncpublicschools.org/ accountability/policies/accom/ 8

9. 9 What Types of Testing Accommodations are Available for Students with Disabilities? Special Print Versions Assistive Technology (AT) Devices and Special Arrangements Special Test Environments 9

10. 10 Special Print Versions Braille Edition Large Print Edition One Test Item Per Page Edition 10 Special Test Environments Hospital/Home Testing Multiple Testing Sessions Scheduled Extended Time Testing in a Separate Room

11. 11 Assistive Technology Devices and Special Arrangements Braille Writer/Slate and Stylus (Braille Paper) Cranmer Abacus Magnification Devices Student Marks Answers in Test Book Student Reads Test Aloud to Self AT Devices Dictation to a Scribe Keyboarding Devices Interpreter/Transliterator Signs/Cues Test Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud (In English) Computer Reads Test Aloud – Student Controlled 11

12. NCEXTEND1-only Accommodations Responds with Use of Augmentative Communication Device, Picture Board, etc. Writes with Use of Augmentative Communication Device, Picture Board, etc. Adaptations to NCDPI-Provided Manipulatives 12

13. What has Changed in the August 2011 TSWD? Some of the major changes are…. 13

14. NCEXTEND1 Accommodations Added NCEXTEND1 accommodations chart Added information on accommodations and adaptations to manipulatives that was previously only available in the Test Administrator’s Manual 14

15. Student Marks Answers in Test Book ALL students may write in their test booklet – no accommodation needed! Students with MIB must not be given an answer sheet, must circle answers in book Students with MIB do not transfer their answers from booklet to answer sheet May be tested in regular setting 15

16. Dictation to a Scribe For both paper-and-pencil and online, two test administrators must be present –One fills role of test administrator –One fills role of scribe A separate proctor is not required 16

17. Scheduled Extended Time Clarification: Extended time is to be provided in addition to maximum testing time –Most tests have maximum testing time of 240 minutes –NCEXTEND2 has an estimated testing time, but no maximum time –NCEXTEND1 has no maximum testing time 17

18. What About Online Testing? Large font and foreground/background options available to all students –Not ‘accommodations’ – universal design –Must be selected in NC Education before testing day 18

19. Online Testing (cont’d) Interpreter/Transliterator Signs/Cues Test –May use second computer monitor Dictation to a Scribe –Scribe can record responses directly on computer or on piece of paper –If recorded online, test administrator and scribe to sign statement of validation Test administrators complete Accommodations Provided screen after testing 19

20. Computer Reads Test Aloud – Student Controlled Operational EOC online tests (not English I) and online field tests Must be selected in student interface questions (SIQ) before testing Separate room (one-on-one) required unless headphones are used Student clicks on speaker icon next to text to activate read aloud option Consider bandwidth when scheduling 20

21. Computer Reads Test Aloud – Student Controlled (cont’d) Limitation: only item stems and answer choices read by computer For online tests, student may have the test read aloud by: –Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud –Computer Reads Test Aloud – Student Controlled –Combination of the two methods 21

22. Accommodations Data Collection NC WISE CECAS LEA-approved third-party application All accommodations per plan type must be entered into one system across the LEA (e.g., IEPs in CECAS, Section 504 Plans in NC WISE) 22

23. Accommodations Data Collection Schedule DatePurpose of Data Collection September 1 Desk monitoring of accommodations October 3 Pre-population of fall EOC test orders November 1 Confirmation of fall EOC test orders December 1 Desk monitoring of accommodations FDF Discrepancy reporting for fall EOC testing January 2 Desk monitoring of accommodations February 1 Desk monitoring of accommodations March 1 Pre-population of spring EOC, EOG, NCEXTEND2, NCEXTEND1 orders March 13 Discrepancy reporting for Writing Assessment at Grade 10 April 2 Discrepancy reporting for NCEXTEND1 testing; confirmation of spring EOC, EOG, NCEXTEND2, NCEXTEND1 test orders May 1 Desk monitoring of accommodations FDS Discrepancy reporting for spring EOC, EOG, NCEXTEND2 testing June 1 Desk monitoring of accommodations July 2 Desk monitoring of accommodations 23

24. Accommodations Data Collection Purposes Special Print Version ordering (e.g., Braille, Large Print, One Test Item per Page) Accommodations reports NCDPI monitoring 24

25. DPI Accommodations Monitoring On-site monitoring 2009-10 and 2010-11 10 LEAs and 12 schools Outcomes: –Increased collaboration –Accommodations systems and training –Increased accuracy in documentation –Continued need for focus on accommodations decisions 25

26. Review of Accommodations Used During Testing Forms 26 Available at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/policies/ accom

27. Review of Accommodations Used During Testing Forms 27 Two versions of form: Standard NCEXTEND1 One form per state test, per administration Documentation of accommodations required, provided, and used Used for future accommodations decisions

28. DPI Accommodations Monitoring 2011-12: 3 rd year of on-site monitoring Visits in January to monitor fall EOCs Visits in May/June to monitor spring EOCs, EOGs, NCEXTEND2 NCEXTEND1 audits in March 28

29. The ACT & Accommodations ACT Initial Test Date: March 6, 2012 ACT Makeup Test Date: March 20, 2012 ACT Accommodations Testing Window: –March 6–20, 2012 –ACT-Approved and State-Allowed Accommodations Resources available from ACT at: http://www.act.org/aap/northcarolina/ 29

30. The ACT & Accommodations ACT accommodations policy based on American Disabilities Act (ADA), not on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 30

31. The ACT & Accommodations ACT-Approved Accommodations –Result in college-reportable ACT score –Request and accompanying documentation must be submitted to ACT for approval –Deadline for Application for ACT-Approved Test Accommodations requests: December 16, 2011 31

32. The ACT & Accommodations State-Allowed Accommodations –Result in scores that are not college- reportable –Scores used for state accountability –Local decision as to which accommodations to provide –State-Allowed Accommodations Requests for materials must be placed through online ordering system by: February 24, 2012 32

33. PLAN/WorkKeys & Accommodations All accommodations determined locally No request to ACT required Should be supported by IEP documentation 33

34. ACT and IEP Documentation IEPs do not need to be amended this year (2011-12) to include accommodations for ACT/PLAN/WorkKeys IEP form will be updated for 2012-13 to include these assessments 34

35. ACT and Alternate Assessments Grade 11 NCEXTEND1 assessment being developed as alternate for the ACT –15 items –Testing window: February 27 – March 30, 2012 Grade 10 NCEXTEND1 serves as alternate for PLAN No alternate assessment for WorkKeys since not administered to all 12 th graders 35

36. The ACT & Accommodations Resources: –http://www.act.org/aap/northcarolina/http://www.act.org/aap/northcarolina/ Policy documents Forms Accommodations crosswalk –http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/ ACT Webinar recording and PowerPoint –FAQ and Accommodations Memo from NCDPI 36

37. Questions? Comments? Concerns? 37

38. Contact Information Carrie Perkis NCDPI Division of Accountability Testing Policy & Operations carrie.perkis@dpi.nc.gov 38