SBAC and PARCC accessibility and accommodations Dec. 2 nd 2013 Sean Tikkun AFB, policy intern NLCSD, fellow Northern Illinois University

Assessment Membership Florida left PARCC Nov

Approaches to Access Built in Universal Design (Calculator & Read Aloud) – Not aware external applications and devices would still be necessary. Accepted additional accommodations but suggested flagging of tests in reporting – State cases and policies brought forward to demonstrate this would not be allowed. Removed suggestion for flagging and began a device/app approval process – This process attempts to check the compatibility and risk of invalidating results. – At this time PARCC seems more interested in validity than access. – SBAC has a broad philosophical approach in print and information. State acceptance of Guidelines and Policies are the next debate

Current Approach -Documents from Consortium linked- SBAC Link to Accessibility and Accommodation Guidelines – Tiered System Universal > Designated > Accommodations Each tier includes embedded and non-embedded tools – Paper or Thermoform braille (computer adaptive testing not possible) Validity questions have not been addressed. Access questions have not been addressed. This is a modification not an accommodation. PARCC Link to Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual – Tiered system Features for All > Accessibility Features > Accommodations Condition for features that must be identified in advance – Refreshable braille displays to be used ELA/Literacy only Hard-copy braille available for ELA/Literacy, including tactile graphics Hard-copy braille required on Mathematics, including tactile graphics

Piloting and Field Testing SBAC Spring 2013 pilot, Limited accommodations – adjusted font size (5 sizes) – highlighting – Additional time Spring 2014 field test, ‘expanded set’

Piloting and Field Testing PARCC Fall 2013 piloting, no information found Spring 2014 field testing, limited accommodationsfield testing, limited accommodations – Accommodations with guidance to the IEP team “Because the majority of the public commenters and state leads supported the inclusion of this policy, we recommend including it in the manual for field testing and conducting additional research to evaluate the efficacy of the policy.” – No Assistive Technology requiring software will be used. – No refreshable Braille displays will be used. This could be a false assumption that all OS require software to run displays Displays on Mac do not require additional software Windows machines do require a screen reader to drive the display