Region 4 ESC December 3, 2009

2

 Purpose ◦ provide guidance about the use of accommodations on TAKS, TAKS(Accommodated), TAKS-M, TELPAS, and LAT  Information applicable to ALL students who need accommodations ◦ Outlines how to request accommodations that are not listed in this manual or that require an Accommodation Request Form 3 Accommodations Manual p. 2

Accommodations Manual pp

 Intended to facilitate printing, duplication and distribution  Some appendices have been removed and are now available as separate resources on Accommodations Resources page  “The Accommodations Request” Process has been moved from the appendices to the main body of the manual 5 Accommodations Manual p. 3

 Appendix C, General Instructions for Administering Tests to Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing  Examples of effective and ineffective evidence are included in the “Accommodation Request Process”  Additional information regarding the use of accommodations on the TELPAS is now available in “Selecting Accommodations for Assessment” 6 Accommodations Manual pp. 3-4

 Glossaries that contain definitions of content- specific vocabulary are no longer allowed as supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) ◦ A standard English (or Spanish if a Spanish test is given) that is grade/ability appropriate is allowed (Appendix D pp )  List of allowable manipulatives for TAKS (Accommodated) has been expanded; See Accommodations by Category Chart  List of allowable supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) has been expanded; Information found in Appendix D 7 Accommodations Manual pp. 3-4

 Accommodation Request Forms ◦ Received ONE WEEK PRIOR to testing ◦ TELPAS reading paper test/large print TWO WEEKS PRIOR to allow time for processing request and shipping materials ◦ Exceptions- testing coordinator calls TEA 8 Accommodations Manual pp. 3-4

 Online Accommodation Request Form ◦ Districts can submit one request per student even if student needs multiple accommodations for multiple tests ◦ Addition of a field for districts to enter tracking number for identification of requests at local level ◦ Online requests for school year available October Accommodations Manual pp. 3-4

 Some policies have been updated and clarified  Manipulatives have been added to the list of allowable TAKS (Accommodated)  List of allowable supplementary aids for TAKS (Accommodated) has been expanded and includes additional examples (Appendix D) 10 Accommodations Manual p. 4

Texas Student Assessment Program Accommodations Manual Accommodations Manual pp.13-32

 Practices and procedures that provide equitable access to grade-level curriculum during instruction and assessment  Do not reduce learning expectations & do not replace the teaching of subject-specific knowledge and skills as outlined in state curriculum for each grade  Provided on an individual basis taking into consideration the needs of student  Used routinely in classroom instruction and testing

 May be appropriate for instructional use but may not be appropriate or allowed on state assessments ◦ Example: student-made journals (lengthy, errors, contains specific examples)  Just because an accommodation is not allowed on the state assessment does not mean it isn’t perfectly appropriate for instructional use Accommodations Manual p. 14

 General education students with special needs  Students served by Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973  Eligible ELLs who need linguistic accommodations  Students with disabilities who receive special education services

 By educators who ◦ are knowledgeable about the state curriculum and assessments ◦ gather and review information about student’s needs and present level of performance in relation to  the grade-level TEKS, or  linguistic needs ◦ are familiar with accommodation policy for each state- required assessment ◦ involve students in accommodation selection, if appropriate Accommodations Manual pp

For additional information, please contact: Janey Georges Region 4 ESC