Update Accommodations PRESENTED BY MANDY HOELSCHER AND PATTI WYATT ESC REGION 15 1

Suggested Training for Region, District, and Campus Professionals  It is the intent of TEA’s Student Assessment Division that all resources created to clarify testing and accommodation policies be accessible to educators at the region, district, and campus levels, including classroom teachers.  This is a comprehensive training but does not take the place of reading the associated documents.  Relevant district and campus staff will need to read all of the policies and related resources once they are posted on TEA’s Student Assessment webpage. These documents contain all the details. 2 ESC Region 15

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities 3 ESC Region 15

Overview of Changes for the School Year  No policy changes to allowable accommodations, just clarifications  Added STAAR Algebra II and English III where applicable  Online Accommodation Request Form  Requests approved during the 2015 calendar year remain effective until December 31, Only submit additional requests for new Type 2 accommodations (e.g., new student, change in accommodation).  Requests for the 2016 calendar year can be submitted beginning in January, and all approvals remain effective until December 31, ESC Region 15

Accommodation Resources Webpage Contains comprehensive information about accommodations for students with disabilities taking state assessments. 5 ESC Region 15

Type 1 Type 2 Type 1 accommodations are approved locally based on specific eligibility criteria. The decision to provide these accommodations is made by the appropriate team of people at the campus level. Type 2 accommodations require TEA approval to use during a state assessment. The appropriate team of people at the campus level determine whether the student meets all of the specific eligibility criteria and, if so, submits an Accommodation Request Form to TEA. 6 Accommodation Triangle ESC Region 15

Accommodation type This section provides a general description of the accommodation. This section lists the assessments the accommodation may be used on by eligible students. This section lists the eligibility criteria that must be met in order for the student to use the accommodation on a state assessment. This section describes who can make accommodation decisions for students, where to document these decisions, and what to record on the answer document. This icon indicates whether or not an Accommodation Request Form is required. This section describes the specific examples/types of the accommodation that may be used on the state assessment. Pay careful attention to this list because it is sometimes exhaustive. This section outlines special instructions and considerations about the accommodation. Educators must be aware of this information when making decisions about using accommodations and when administering assessments with accommodations. 7 ESC Region 15

Students with Disabilities Who are Eligible for Accommodations on State Assessments  Students with an identified disability who receive special education services and meet established eligibility criteria for certain accommodations  Students with an identified disability who receive Section 504 services and meet established eligibility criteria for certain accommodations  Students with a disabling condition who do not receive special education or Section 504 services but meet established eligibility criteria for certain accommodations 8 ESC Region 15

Authority for Decisions  Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee  Section 504 placement committee  Appropriate team of people at the campus level (e.g., Response to Intervention (RTI) team, student assistance team) 9 ESC Region 15

Critical Information about Accommodations for Students with Disabilities  Educators should review this document on TEA’s Accommodations for Students with Disabilities webpage  General information about accommodations  Accommodations during classroom instruction and testing  Accommodations during state assessments  Not all accommodations suitable for instruction are allowed during the state assessments  Routinely, independently, and effectively  The Accommodation Triangle  Planning for testing accommodations 10 ESC Region 15

Type 1 Accommodations  Individualized Structured Reminders  Amplification Devices  Projection Devices  Manipulating Test Materials  Oral/Signed Administration  Spelling Assistance  Mathematics Manipulatives  Calculation Devices  Basic Transcribing  Supplemental Aids  Extra Time (Same Day)  Large Print  Dictionary  Braille Type 1 11 ESC Region 15

Oral/Signed Administration  STAAR Algebra II and English III were added.  In the “Assessments” section, edits were made to clarify what could and could not be read aloud during an oral administration.  All mention of STAAR A was removed except for a note explaining that an oral administration was not applicable to STAAR A. Oral administration eligibility for STAAR A should NOT be determined or documented.  In the “Authority for Decision and Required Documentation” section, a minor edit was made to account for the fact that the OA bubble is not on a writing answer document. Eligibility for an oral administration may be determined for these assessments; however, if a student is eligible, this accommodation will not be recorded on the answer document. Type 1 12 ESC Region 15

Mathematics Manipulatives  STAAR Algebra II was added.  The format of the “Student Eligibility Criteria” was changed for clarification; however, the policy is the same as the previous year.  In the “Examples/Types” section, the use of clocks was restricted to the following: “clock with or without numbers shown on clock face; the clock should NOT have gears” (meaning the clock should have independently moving hour and minute hands) Type 1 13 ESC Region 15

Calculation Devices  STAAR Algebra II was added.  Calculators used by eligible students as a testing accommodation must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the STAAR Calculator Policy.  Please note that the STAAR Calculator Policy was revised and posted on TEA’s STAAR Mathematics Resources webpage. The guidelines set forth in this updated policy also apply to calculator use as an accommodation. Type 1 14 ESC Region 15

Supplemental Aids  The format of the “Student Eligibility Criteria” was changed for clarification; however, the policy is the same as the previous year.  The following change was made to the #2 example of allowable math charts: Multiplication charts that are grade appropriate may be used. The multiplication chart must be a grid used to find the product, not a list of multiplication facts. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling perfect squares within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed.  Deleted from previous policy: Each axis may only be numbered 0 through 12. Type 1 15 ESC Region 15

Supplemental Aids (cont.)  The following change was made to the #3 example of allowable math charts: A number chart (e.g., 100 chart) may be used. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling prime numbers within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed.  Previous language restricted this type of supplemental aid to 100 charts. Type 1 16 ESC Region 15

Supplemental Aids 17 Supplemental aids are paper-based resources that assist a student with a disability in recalling information. For a student who meets the eligibility criteria, this accommodation may be used on STAAR STAAR Spanish STAAR L STAAR A Description of Accommodation Assessments Type 1 ESC Region 15

18 A student may use this accommodation if he or she  receives special education services or receives Section 504 services,  routinely, independently, and effectively uses this accommodation during classroom instruction and classroom testing, and  meets at least one of the following for the applicable service.  For students receiving special education services, the student has a disability that affects memory retrieval, focus, or organization that is severe enough to prevent him or her from learning and retaining information as effectively as non-disabled peers despite multiple opportunities to learn, varied instructional strategies, and high-quality instruction.  For students receiving Section 504 services, the student is identified with dyslexia or a related disorder per TEC § Student Eligibility Criteria ESC Region 15

19 Authority for Decision and Required Documentation  For a student receiving special education services, the decision is made by the ARD committee based on the eligibility criteria and is documented in the student’s IEP.  For a student receiving Section 504 services, the decision is made by the Section 504 committee based on the eligibility criteria and is documented in the student’s IAP.  In the case of an ELL with a disability, the decision is made by the applicable group above in conjunction with the student’s LPAC. The decision is to be documented by the LPAC in the student’s permanent record file and by the other applicable group, as described above. ESC Region 15

20 Authority for Decision and Required Documentation  After state testing, GA must be recorded in the ACCOMM. field on the student’s answer document or in the Assessment Management System for online administrations. This indicates that an allowable general accommodation was made available to the student. ESC Region 15

21 Examples/Types  ONLY the supplemental aids described in the Supplemental Aids document are allowed for eligible students.  Examples of allowable supplemental aids with different formats are provided on the following slides. Other formats are allowed as long as they follow the description of the aid in the Supplemental Aids document. ESC Region 15

22 All Subjects: Mnemonic Devices A mnemonic device is a learning technique that assists with memory. Only mnemonic devices that are acronyms or phrases based on an acronym may be used. PEMDAS or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally DMSB or Dad Mother Sister Brother KPCOFGS or King Phillip Came Over For Good Spaghetti ESC Region 15

23 All Subjects: Mnemonic Devices The subject-specific words that the mnemonic represents are NOT allowed. Parentheses Exponents Multiplication Division Addition Subtraction Divide Multiply Subtract Bring down K ingdo m P hylum C lass O rder F amily G enus S pecies ESC Region 15

24 All Subjects: Blank Graphic Organizers Blank graphic organizers may be used. G ESC Region 15

25 All Subjects: Blank Graphic Organizers Blank graphic organizers may NOT contain titles, words, labels, colors used as labels, pictures, acronyms, mnemonics, numbers, symbols, or variables. Group 1 Group 2 1&21&2 Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer Primary Producer ESC Region 15

26 Mathematics: Addition Charts Addition charts may be used. The addition chart must be a grid used to find the sum, not a list of addition facts. Each axis may only be numbered 0 through 9. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling even numbers within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed = = = = = = = = = = 20 ESC Region 15

27 Mathematics: Multiplication Charts Multiplication charts that are grade appropriate may be used. The multiplication chart must be a grid used to find the product, not a list of multiplication facts. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling perfect squares within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed. X X 1 x 0 = 0 2 x 0 = 0 1 x 1 = 1 2 x 1 = 2 1 x 2 = 2 2 x 2 = 4 1 x 3 = 3 2 x 3 = 6 1 x 4 = 4 2 x 4 = 8 1 x 5 = 5 2 x 5 = 10 1 x 6 = 6 2 x 6 = 12 1 x 7 = 7 2 x 7 = 14 1 x 8 = 8 2 x 8 = 16 1 x 9 = 9 2 x 9 = 18 ESC Region 15

28 Mathematics: Number Chart A number chart (e.g., 100 chart) may be used. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling prime numbers within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed. ESC Region 15

29 Mathematics: Place Value Chart A place value chart may be used. Words for place value labels, commas, and a decimal point are allowed only if they are grade- appropriate. For example, the word “hundredths” may be used at grade 4 and above, but the fraction “1/100” cannot be included. Including numbers as specific examples is NOT allowed ESC Region 15

30 Mathematics: Pictorial Models of Fractions Pictorial models of fraction bars or fraction circles may be used. The models may be labeled to show each individual fraction… Thirds Fourths Sixths Eighths ESC Region 15

31 Mathematics: Pictorial Models of Fractions … but they should NOT show equivalencies (e.g., 1/2 = 2/4 = 0.5 = 50%) or a cumulative sequence (e.g., 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4). 1/32/6 3/46/8 ESC Region 15

32 Mathematics: Pictorial Models of Geometric Figures Pictorial models of one-, two-, and three-dimensional geometric figures may be used; however, the figures must be grade- or course-appropriate. ESC Region 15

Mathematics: Pictorial Models of Geometric Figures 33 In addition, a pictorial model of a geometric figure may be provided in either three-dimensional form or two-dimensional form, but NOT in both forms. ESC Region 15

34 Mathematics: Pictorial Models of Geometric Figures The figures may NOT contain titles, words, labels, colors used as labels, acronyms, mnemonics, numbers, symbols, or variables. Obtuse 90 ° ESC Region 15

35 Mathematics: Pictorial Models of Geometric Figures Providing a pictorial model of a geometric figure in one form (e.g., net) and a manipulative of the same figure in another form (e.g., three-dimensional solid) is NOT allowed. Pictorial ModelManipulative OR ESC Region 15

36 Written Composition: Grammar & Mechanics Rules A list of grade-appropriate grammar and mechanics rules may be used. The list may NOT contain any specific examples. ESC Region 15

Science: Graphics 37 Graphics of scientific concepts may be used. ESC Region 15

38 Science: Graphics The graphics may NOT contain titles, words, labels, colors used as labels, acronyms, mnemonics, numbers, symbols, or variables. ESC Region 15

39 Science: Formula Triangles Formula triangles representing relationships between variables may be used. Only formulas that appear on the appropriate state-supplied reference materials may be represented. The triangles may only include variables; for example, a triangle showing the relationship between mass, density, and volume can contain only the variables m, D, and V. Symbols for mathematical operations (e.g., ×, ÷) are NOT allowed. W dF m DV mass Density volume Work distanceforce X ÷÷ ESC Region 15

40 Social Studies: Blank Maps Blank maps may be used. Blank maps should NOT contain titles, words, labels, colors used as labels, pictures, acronyms, mnemonics, numbers, symbols, or variables. In addition, unlabeled maps that represent historic events may be used (e.g., an unlabeled map that represents the stages of U.S. territorial expansion). A student could use both physical and political world or U.S. maps. ESC Region 15

Social Studies: Timelines 41 Timelines may be used if they contain only dates ESC Region 15

Social Studies: Timelines 42 Labeling the events connected with those dates in any way is NOT allowed. ESC Region 15

43 Special Instructions/Considerations 1. A student who uses this accommodation may need to complete the test in a separate setting to eliminate distractions to other students and to ensure the confidentiality of the test. 2. Supplemental aids can be provided in the language that is most appropriate for the student. 3. Colors may be used in a supplemental aid to enhance readability or improve tracking but may NOT be used as a label. ESC Region 15

44 Special Instructions/Considerations 4. Pictures may be used in pictorial models of geometric figures and graphics of scientific concepts but not in other supplemental aids. 5. Using a supplemental aid as an accommodation during classroom instruction and classroom testing should not replace the teaching of subject-specific skills as outlined in the TEKS. The student must be able to understand the information that the supplemental aid provides and simply need assistance recalling the concepts. 6. Supplemental aids, like all accommodations, should be individualized for each student. Students have different strengths and needs, so it is not appropriate to provide all students the exact same set of supplemental aids. ESC Region 15

45 Special Instructions/Considerations 7. The test administrator may not remind the student to use the supplemental aid or explain to the student the information included on the supplemental aid. 8. The supplemental aid must be error-free, concise, and well organized so that a student can easily access the information. The supplemental aid must not contain numerous pages, as this may be more cumbersome than helpful when used during the state assessment. 9. If a student writes on the supplemental aid while taking the state assessment, the supplemental aid must be destroyed after testing. ESC Region 15

Type 2 Accommodations  Complex Transcribing  Mathematics Scribe  Photocopying Test Materials  Extra Day  Other Type 2 46 ESC Region 15

Accommodations in Emergency or Unexpected Situations  Follow these steps when unexpected or emergency situations (e.g., broken arm, lost eyeglasses) occur just prior to or on the day of the state assessment. More specific information can be found on TEA’s Accommodations for Students with Disabilities webpage.  Step 1: No need to contact TEA if a student’s needs can be met with allowable test administration procedures or materials.  Step 2: No need to contact TEA if a student’s needs can be met with Type 1 accommodations.  Step 3: Contact TEA if the student’s needs cannot be met with Step 1 or 2, and Type 2 accommodations are being considered. 47 ESC Region 15

Recording Accommodations on the Student’s Answer Document  District and Campus Coordinator Manual  GA = general accommodation  BR = braille administration  LP = large print administration  OA = oral administration  XD = extra day  LA = linguistic accommodation  Record the accommodation that is documented and made available to a student, even if the student did not use the accommodation during testing. 48 ESC Region 15

COMING SOON! Supplemental Accommodation Resources  Accommodation Request Process For Type 2 Accommodations  General Instructions for Administering Braille State Assessments  General Instructions for Administering Large-Print State Assessments  General Instructions for Administering State Assessments to Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing  Font and Point Size Matrices  Miscellaneous training presentations (e.g., Supplemental Aids)  Allowable Test Administration Procedures and Materials 49 ESC Region 15

Accommodations for STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TAKS  Information about accommodations for students taking the following assessments can be found in the applicable manuals.  STAAR Alternate 2: Educator Guide for STAAR Alternate 2 and the test administration manual  Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS): test administration manual  Texas Assessments of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS): Directions for District Coordinators, Campus Coordinators and Test Administrators on the TAKS Resources webpage 50 ESC Region 15

TEA Contact Information  Student Assessment Division   gov gov 51 ESC Region 15