1. ARD Committee Training for the 2012–2013 Texas Assessment Program Presented at TETN #14279 August 22, 2012

2. These slides have been prepared and approved by the Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency and serve as state guidance about how ARD committees should make and document in an IEP statewide assessment decisions for students receiving special education services. ▫ This information takes the place of a published manual and should be made available to all region, district, and campus staff, as well as parents, who participate in ARD committee meetings. ▫ Additional ARD Committee resources can be found at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ard/. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ard/ If any slide is amended or revised for use in local or regional trainings, please remove this slide as well as the TEA footer at the bottom of each slide. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 2

3. Table of Contents Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 3 Slide 7Training-related Acronyms Slides 8-13Overview of the Texas Assessment Program Slides 14- 22Making the Statewide Assessment Decision Slides 23-47Participation Requirements Slides 48-54Factors to Consider When Making Statewide Assessment Decisions Slide 49Student Success Initiative (SSI) Slide 50Commissioner's Rule on Substitute High School Courses Slide 51Cumulative Score Requirements Slide 5215% Grading Requirement Slides 53-54Graduation

4. Table of Contents Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 4 Slide 55-69Frequently Asked Questions Slide 561. What if the assessment decision made at a previous ARD meeting needs to be revised prior to testing? Slide 572. What additional steps are needed to make assessment decisions for ELLs receiving special education services? Slide 583. Can the ARD committee recommend assessments and/or accommodations, regardless of TEA policy? Slide 594. Must the ARD committee address the STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements for all special education students? Slide 605. Is the STAAR Modified science assessment appropriate for a student when the IEP only addresses reading skills, with no goals specific to science? Slide 616. If a student takes STAAR Modified in high school but is dismissed from special education before graduation, will the student now have to take STAAR?

5. Table of Contents Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 5 Slide 55-69Frequently Asked Questions Slides 62-637. How do I use the modified and alternate high school PEIMS codes? Slide 648. A student was a 10 th grader last year and is a 12 th grader this year. He meets TAKS–M participation requirements for all subjects. What tests does he take? Slide 659. If a high school student takes STAAR Modified in some subjects, STAAR in others, and is therefore on the MHSP, why would the ARD committee determine that the student must continue testing in STAAR to meet the cumulative score requirement? Slide 6610. Why would an ARD committee determine that a student is eligible for STAAR Modified in Algebra II, chemistry, or physics if no modified assessment exists for these? Slide 6711. The MHSP requires students to take World History or World Geography. What test does the student take if he/she is enrolled in both courses?

6. Table of Contents Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 6 Slides 55-69Frequently Asked Questions Slide 6812. If a student is enrolled in a modified U.S. History or English III course in the 2012–2013 school year, does that student have to take STAAR Modified when it becomes available in 2014? Slide 6913. Who takes STAAR Modified during the December 2012 administration? Slides 70-73Contact Information and Resources

7. Training-Related Acronyms  ARD - Admission, Review, and Dismissal  DAP - Distinguished Achievement Program  ELL - English Language Learner  EOC - End-of-Course  IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  IEP - Individualized Education Program  LAT – TAKS linguistically accommodated testing  LEP - Limited English Proficiency  LPAC - Language Proficiency Assessment Committee  MHSP - Minimum High School Program  STAAR - State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness  STAAR L - Linguistically accommodated version of STAAR  TAC - Texas Administrative Code  TAKS - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills  TAKS–Alt - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Alternate  TAKS–M - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Modified  TEA - Texas Education Agency  TEKS - Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills  TETN - Texas Education Telecommunication Network  PEIMS - Public Education Information Management System  RHSP - Recommended High School Program Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 7

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9. Who Takes STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR L, STAAR Modified, or STAAR Alternate?  STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR L, and STAAR Modified  Students who were first enrolled in grade 9 or below in the 2011 – 2012 school year  For unique situations that don’t fit this guideline, contact TEA’s Student Assessment Division.  STAAR Alternate  Students in grades 3 and above who have significant cognitive disabilities and meet the participation requirements for an alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards will take STAAR Alternate. TAKS – Alt is no longer available. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 9

10. What STAAR Assessments Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take?  STAAR in English  STAAR in Spanish (grades 3-5)  STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate  STAAR L in English  STAAR L – linguistically accommodated STAAR tests for eligible ELLs  Available for math, science, and social studies, grade 3 and above, including EOC  No STAAR L forms of STAAR Modified but linguistic accommodations available for eligible ELLs who take STAAR Modified  STAAR L participation criteria somewhat different from old TAKS LAT  Participation criteria available on STAAR L Resources webpage at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/staarl/http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/staarl/ 10

11. TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and TAKS – M  Exit level TAKS and TAKS (Accommodated) primary tests and retests ARE available.  TAKS–M grade 11 tests ARE available.  TAKS–M grade 11 assessments are not exit level tests. They are only administered once a year during the primary administration to students enrolled in grade 11 who meet participation requirements.  TAKS–M retests are not available.  TAKS–M grade 11 assessments are not administered to students in grade 12.  TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and TAKS – M grade 10 tests are no longer available. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 11

12. What TAKS Assessments Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take?  Same tests as on previous TAKS slide.  For TAKS program, no changes to  LEP postponements for exit level  Participation requirements for unschooled asylees/refugees  More information on LPAC Resources webpage at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessme nt/ell/lpac/ http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessme nt/ell/lpac/ 12

13. TELPAS  For ELLs grades K–12  Listening, speaking, reading, writing  Measures annual growth in English language acquisition  In very rare cases ARD committee and LPAC may determine that student should not be assessed in one or more domains due to student’s particular disability  More information to be posted in 2012-2013 TELPAS Decision-Making Guide for LPACS. Posting in the fall at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/lpac/. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/lpac/. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 13

14. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 14

15. 15 The ARD committee reviews the student's PLAAFP and instructional goals and determines how the student accesses the grade-level/course curriculum (TEKS). With or without accommodations STAAR TAKS TAKS (Accommodated) Through modified TEKS-based instruction STAAR Modified TAKS–M Through prerequisite skills STAAR Alternate

16. What does “access” mean?  Access = a means of approach… how a teacher exposes a student to the grade-level/course TEKS Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 16 Instructional FocusInstructional Approach Instructional Examples Instruction covers all of the required curriculum AccommodationsExtra time, formatting changes, small group, manipulatives, spelling assistance, transcribing

17. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 17 Instructional FocusInstructional ApproachInstructional Examples Although student is exposed to all of the curriculum, IEP goals may focus on select student expectations or address all student expectations but in a broad/simplified manner. ModificationsDeleting extraneous information, limiting number of steps in questions, simplifying decoding level, simplifying numbers, defining difficult vocabulary Individual supports and materials compensate for the student’s disability and allow access to all of the curriculum. Prerequisite skills linked to grade- level/course curriculum Performance tasks to determine mastery at three varying complexity levels

18. The First Consideration = General Assessment  Participation in the general assessment should be the first consideration when determining the appropriate assessment for a student.  General assessments in the Texas Assessment Program  STAAR  STAAR Spanish  TAKS  TAKS (Accommodated) Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 18

19. The First Consideration = the General Assessment  To determine whether the general assessment is the most appropriate,  ARD committees must review the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP).  Provides a clear understanding of student’s performance in the grade-level/course TEKS, including strengths, current areas of need, and accommodations, modifications, or supports used. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 19

20. The First Consideration = the General Assessment  ARD committees must review the student’s instructional plan.  This is the basis for making appropriate assessment decisions.  Provides a clear understanding of how student will access the grade-level/course curriculum, including accommodations, modifications, or supports needed. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 20

21. The First Consideration = the General Assessment  ARD committees must understand  What statewide assessments are required and available (STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR L, STAAR Modified, STAAR Alternate, TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS–M, LAT)  Assessed TEKS  Design and format of each statewide assessment  Accommodation policies  Implications of taking a particular statewide assessment Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 21

22.  If STAAR, with or without accommodations, is appropriate for a student, the ARD committee must document this decision and the testing accommodations the student will receive.  Documented testing accommodations must be consistent with state accommodation policies posted on Accommodations Resources web page.  For accommodations that require TEA approval through submission of an Accommodation Request Form, document “pending TEA approval.”  If STAAR, with or without accommodations, is not appropriate for a student, the ARD committee must review participation requirements for one of the alternate assessments. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 22

23. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 23

24. TAKS–M  Should be used only for students in grade 11 during the 2012–2013 school year  Grade 10 TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and TAKS–M tests will no longer be administered. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 24

25. STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 25

26. State-Required Documentation Forms  The STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements are state-required documentation forms that must be completed and retained by the district when eligibility for either assessment is confirmed. This document may be filed at the campus level or in the IEP (although it is not a required part of the IEP). Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 26

27. State-Required Documentation Forms  The district personnel who completes these forms should be a member of the ARD committee (e.g., special education teacher, ARD facilitator, administrator). These forms should be completed during the ARD committee meeting when assessment decisions are made. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 27

28. Step I: Review the Eligibility Criteria STAAR Modified  Circle the subject(s) or course(s) for which STAAR Modified is being considered.  Circle NA, not applicable, for subjects/courses that do not apply to the student  Subjects/courses for which STAAR Modified is not being considered  Subjects that are not tested at the student’s grade or courses that the student is not enrolled in for the school year under consideration Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 28

29. Step I: Review the Eligibility Criteria STAAR Alternate  Eligibility is being considered for all tested subjects in the student’s enrolled grade or all courses the student is enrolled in.  If the student is eligible to take STAAR Alternate, then he/she must take this assessment for all subjects/courses. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 29

30. Step I: Review the Eligibility Criteria STAAR Modified  The ARD committee must review each of the three questions for every subject or course being considered and circle YES or NO. 1.Do the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) statements in the IEP lead the ARD committee to conclude that the student is multiple years behind grade-level or course expectations and will not progress at the same rate and level of rigor as their non-disabled peers? 2.Does the student’s IEP contain standards-based (TEKS- based) goals indicating the modified content the student requires in order to access the grade-level or course curriculum? 3.Does the student require direct and intensive instruction in order to acquire, maintain, and transfer skills to other contexts? Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 30

31. Step I: Review the Eligibility Criteria STAAR Alternate  The ARD committee must review each of the five questions if STAAR Alternate is being considered, and circle YES or NO. 1.Does the student have a significant cognitive disability? 2.Does the student require specialized supports to access the grade-level curriculum and environment? 3.Does the student require intensive, individualized instruction in a variety of instructional settings? 4.Does the student access and participate in the grade- level TEKS through prerequisite skills? 5.Does the student primarily demonstrate knowledge and skills through performance tasks? Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 31

32. Step I: Review the Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible to participate in either STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate, the answer to all of the applicable questions must be Yes.  If the answer to any of the questions is No, the student is not eligible to participate in STAAR Modified/STAAR Alternate and must participate in one of the other statewide assessments. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 32

33.  Each Yes answer requires a justification that references the page number or section of the IEP that contains evidence that the student meets the criterion. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 33 STAAR Alternate Pg. 2 STAAR Modified PLAAFP section

34. Step II: Discuss Assurances  If Yes is indicated for all of the eligibility criteria, the ARD committee must discuss the assurances in Step II and the district personnel completing the form must initial each one. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 34

35. Step II: Discuss Assurances  When an alternate assessment is selected, IDEA and The Legal Framework for the Child- Centered Special Education Process require ARD committees to document in the IEP:  A statement of why student cannot participate in general assessment with or without allowable accommodations, AND… Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 35

36.  A statement of why an alternate assessment is appropriate for student, including evidence from IEP that confirms that answer to each of the questions for STAAR Modified is Yes, AND…  A list of testing accommodations consistent with state accommodation policies posted on Accommodations Resources webpage  In order to make appropriate accommodation decisions from year to year, their effectiveness should be assessed.  Collect data on how the student performs with and without the accommodation.  Make available to the student a variety of instructional strategies to see which is most effective.  For accommodations that require TEA approval through submission of an Accommodation Request Form, document “pending TEA approval.” Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 36

37. Step II: Discuss Assurances  It is not appropriate to make an assessment decision simply because a student passed or failed a previous statewide assessment. –Example: If a student achieved advanced academic performance on STAAR Modified, this does not automatically mean that the student should now take STAAR. Other factors must be considered. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 37

38. Step II: Discuss Assurances  ARD committee decisions should be based only on the educational need of a student.  If a student meets the participation requirements for STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate, then he/she should be administered this assessment. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 38

39. Step II: Discuss Assurances  Students receiving special education services for any qualifying disability category are eligible to take STAAR Modified if the answer to all three eligibility questions is YES.  For STAAR Alternate, the ARD committee will focus on evidence of a significant cognitive disability and how the student accesses the grade-level or course curriculum. They will rule out students who have a learning disability and receive modified instruction.  Students taking STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate may be receiving instruction in any setting (e.g., inclusion, resource, self-contained). Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 39

40. Step II: Discuss Assurances  For elementary and middle school students, the ARD committee must understand the future implications that could result if a student is receiving modified instruction or instruction through prerequisite skills from year to year.  Modified instruction and instruction through prerequisite skills in high school = MHSP Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 40

41. Step II: Discuss Assurances  As cited in TAC §74.61(e), a high school student who takes STAAR Alternate or at least one STAAR Modified EOC assessment is receiving a different type of instruction (e.g., prerequisite skills, modified) than his/her peers. Therefore, the student will graduate on the MHSP.  To graduate on the Recommended or Distinguished Programs, a student must have successful completion on STAAR. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 41

42. Step II: Discuss Assurances  Students are only eligible to take STAAR Modified if they are accessing the curriculum through modified instruction.  Students are only eligible to take STAAR Alternate if they are accessing the curriculum through prerequisite skills. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 42 For high school students, these courses are denoted by a special PEIMS code for each course required on the MHSP.

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44. Step III: Summarize Assessment Decisions STAAR Modified  Indicate the subjects in which the student will take STAAR Modified if the eligibility criteria has been met.  This step was updated this year to include World History, which will be administered for the first time in spring 2013.  This step will be updated next year to include English III and U.S. History, which will be administered for the first time in spring 2014. If a student is enrolled in these courses in 2012 – 2013 and receives modified instruction, eligibility for STAAR Modified should still be determined.  If the student meets participation requirements for STAAR Modified, the student will not be assessed since these tests are not available.  If the student does not meet participation requirements for STAAR Modified OR if eligibility is not determined for these courses, then the student will take STAAR. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 44

45. Step III: Summarize Assessment Decisions STAAR Modified continued  STAAR Modified assessments for Algebra II, chemistry, and physics will never be available because the courses are not required on the MHSP. However, eligibility for STAAR Modified should still be determined if a student is enrolled in these courses and receives modified instruction.  If the student meets participation requirements for STAAR Modified, the student will not be assessed since these tests are not available.  If the student does not meet participation requirements for STAAR Modified OR if eligibility is not determined for these courses, then the student will take STAAR. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 45

46. Step III: Summarize Assessment Decisions STAAR Alternate  The ARD committee should indicate the subject(s) or course(s) in which the student is enrolled and for which STAAR Alternate assessments will be given.  The ARD committee must ensure the assessment decision and accommodations needed to measure the student’s academic achievement have been documented in the student’s IEP. These accommodations will be the basis for the STAAR Alternate presentation supports, materials, and response modes provided during the assessment observation and recorded on page 1 of the documentation form.  The student will take STAAR Alternate for all required subjects or enrolled high school courses on the MHSP. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 46

47. The ARD committee is required to discuss the participation requirements, complete the State-Required Documentation Form, and file it in a designated place (not a required document in the IEP). All assessment information must be communicated to campus testing coordinator in preparation for statewide testing. 47

48. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 48

49. Student Success Initiative (SSI)  Multiple SSI administrations are listed on the 2012-2013 testing calendar revised June 1, 2012.  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/calendars/ http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/calendars/  Districts will be notified when updated SSI material becomes available.  Consideration for special populations will be included in the new material districts will receive. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 49

50. Commissioner’s Rule on Substitute High School Courses  TAC §89.1070(b)(3)  Districts are allowed to provide locally developed substitute courses for those required on the MHSP for some students receiving special education services.  The content of these locally developed substitute courses must be fully aligned to the TEKS for the courses they replace.  Students will be required to participate in an EOC assessment (general, modified, or alternate) for the course that has been substituted. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 50

51. Cumulative Score Requirement  For students receiving special education services who take STAAR EOC assessments  ARD committee determines whether or not student has to meet cumulative score requirement in order to graduate.  This decision has bearing on whether student can graduate on the DAP, RHSP, or MHSP.  Current legislation does not include a cumulative score requirement for students taking STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate EOC assessments Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 51

52. 15% Grading Requirement  For students taking STAAR  The 2/22/12 To the Administrator Addressed letter regarding the 15% Grade Deferral applied only to the 2011-2012 school year.  Currently, the assumption is that the 15% grading requirement is in effect for the 2012-2013 school year.  Review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.  Under consideration is whether the 15% grading requirement applies to the 2012 December test administrations.  Districts are not required to count STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate EOC assessment results as 15% of the student’s course grade since current legislation does not include this requirement for students taking a modified or alternate assessment. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 52

53. Graduation: STAAR  You can access the external link to the Special Education Graduation Flowcharts from the ARD Committee Resources web page.  Review the presentation link that walks you through the flowchart. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 53

54. Graduation: TAKS  Graduation flowcharts A and B are posted on the ARD Committee Resources web page under “TAKS.”  Flowchart A: For students taking TAKS who entered grade 9 in 2008 – 2009 and thereafter.  Flowchart B: For students taking TAKS who entered grade 9 prior to 2008 – 2009. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 54

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56. 1. What if the assessment decision made at a previous ARD meeting needs to be revised prior to testing?  If the assessment decision made at a previous meeting needs to be revised, it must be based on a change in instruction.  There must be a difference in how the student accesses the grade-level or course curriculum.  Simply passing or failing a prior state assessment is not sufficient reason to justify revising the assessment decision in the IEP. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 56

57.  These students have special needs related to a disability as well as needs related to second language learning  The ARD committee and LPAC must  work together to ensure that instruction is tailored to meet each student’s special education and second language acquisition needs  collaborate on assessment and accommodation decisions and document the decisions appropriately (for ARD committee, in IEP; for LPAC, document in student’s permanent record file)  More information on ARD committee and LPAC collaboration: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/ardlpac.html http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/ardlpac.html 57

58. 3. Can the ARD committee recommend assessments and/or accommodations, regardless of TEA policy?  No. The ARD committee’s statewide assessment and accommodation decisions must be within the parameters set forth in federal and state requirements and guidance.  It is a testing violation to provide a nonallowable accommodation during a statewide assessment, and could result in the student’s test results being invalidated. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 58

59. 4. Must the ARD committee address the STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements for all special education students?  No. The ARD committee should only address these participation requirements for students for whom STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate is being considered. Most special education students take the general assessment. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 59

60. 5. Is the STAAR Modified science assessment appropriate for a student when the IEP only addresses reading skills, with no goals specific to science?  No. The ARD committee is required to confirm that the “student’s IEP contains standards-based (TEKS-based) goals indicating the modified content the student required in order to access the grade-level or course curriculum.” Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 60

61. 6. If a student takes STAAR Modified in high school but is dismissed from special education before graduation, will the student now have to take STAAR?  Yes. The student is now held to the same curriculum and assessment requirements as all other general education students. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 61

62. 7. How do I use the modified and alternate high school PEIMS codes?  Direct all specific PEIMS questions to TEA’s Curriculum Division at 512-463-9581 or curriculum@tea.state.tx.us. curriculum@tea.state.tx.us  Use the new codes for ALL students receiving special education services and completing a course with modified or alternate content. This includes those students who are graduating under the TAKS requirements. For more information see the PEIMS Data Standards 2012-2013 Addendum, code table C022 at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=2147505610. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=2147505610 Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 62

63. 2012-2013 PEIMS Data Standards (high-school math example) 63 Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division

64. 8. A student was a 10 th grader last year and is a 12 th grader this year. He meets TAKS–M participation requirements for all subjects. What tests does he take?  There is no TAKS–M for 12th graders. Meeting the passing standard on a grade 11 TAKS–M assessment is not considered a graduation requirement. For this reason, TAKS–M grade 11 assessments are not called “exit level” tests. Since these are only grade-level assessments, they are not administered to students in grade 12. Therefore, a student who never took a grade 11 TAKS–M assessment is still eligible for graduation if the ARD committee determines that all other curriculum and credit requirements under the MHSP are satisfied. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 64

65. 9. If a high school student takes STAAR Modified in some subjects, STAAR in others, and is therefore on the MHSP, why would the ARD committee determine that the student must continue testing in STAAR to meet the cumulative score requirement?  Making appropriate assessment decisions provides a clear picture of the student’s strengths and weaknesses.  The Academic Achievement Record should reflect the appropriate courses and assessments the student took.  If a student decides he/she wants to graduate on the DAP or RHSP, the cumulative score requirement for STAAR will have to be met in all required courses. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 65

66. 10. Why would an ARD committee determine that a student is eligible for STAAR Modified in Algebra II, chemistry, or physics if no modified assessment exists for these?  TEC §39.025 (a) Students on MHSP are required to take assessments for courses for which they are enrolled and for which an EOC assessment exists.  Example: If a student receiving special education services is enrolled in a modified Algebra II, chemistry, or physics course because he/she receives modified instruction, the ARD committee may determine that the student meets STAAR Modified participation requirements and he/she would not be assessed since STAAR Modified is not available for these courses. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 66

67. 11. The MHSP requires students to take World History or World Geography. What test does the student take if he/she is enrolled in both courses?  The student would take both the World History and the World Geography tests since students are required to take the assessments for courses for which they are enrolled and for which an EOC assessment exists. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 67

68. 12. If a student is enrolled in a modified U.S. History or English III course in the 2012 – 2013 school year, does that student have to take STAAR Modified when it becomes available in 2014?  No. Students are required to take assessments for courses for which they are enrolled and for which an EOC assessment exists. If a student is enrolled in a modified U.S. History or English III course in the 2012–2013 school year, he/she will not be assessed since STAAR Modified does not exist for these courses.  Make sure the Participation Requirements reflect that the student is eligible to take STAAR Modified in these courses. If not, the student will have to take STAAR. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 68

69. 13. Who takes STAAR Modified during the December 2012 administration?  Students who meet the participation requirements for STAAR Modified and who are completing coursework during the first semester for World Geography modified, Algebra I modified, English I modified, or Biology modified should be assessed with STAAR Modified during the December 2012 administration.  STAAR Modified English II and Geometry will not be administered in December 2012.  It is not necessary for a student to take STAAR Modified in December 2012 if he/she failed a STAAR Modified EOC assessment or if he/she was absent in spring 2012. According to federal and state regulations regarding graduating high school students, students who take a modified assessment are not held to the same graduation requirements as students who take the general assessment. Meeting the passing standard or a cumulative score requirement on a STAAR Modified EOC assessment is not a graduation requirement, so participating in additional testing opportunities is not necessary. Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 69

70. Contact Information and Resources Student Assessment Division ▫ Phone: (512) 463-9536 ▫ FAX: (512) 463-9302 ▫ E-mail: assessment.studentswithdisabilities@tea.state.tx.us assessment.studentswithdisabilities@tea.state.tx.us 2012-2013 Student Assessment Division TETN Schedule: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/training/tetn-schedule/ http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/training/tetn-schedule/ Curriculum Division ▫ Phone: (512) 463-9581 Division of Federal and State Educational Policy (Special Education) ▫ Phone: (512) 463-9414 Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 70