1. Accommodations for All Students: What You Need to Know for 2009-2010 Cari Wieland Jana Owen Kim Brannan Megan Galicia Lynn Franzen Gloria Reyes Charity Riley-Rose Sue Russell 1 Student Assessment Division 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

2. Agenda Introduction Key changes to 2009-2010 Accommodations Manual General Information about Accommodations Accommodations by Category Chart TELPAS & LAT The Five Step Accommodation Request Process Supplemental Aids The Bottom Line Questions Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference 2

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4. 2009-2010 Accommodations Manual and supplemental material available online only on the Accommodations Resources page at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assess ment/resources/accommodations http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assess ment/resources/accommodations Information is applicable to ALL students requiring accommodations on TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS-M, TELPAS and LAT 4 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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6. Organization of manual New Appendix C, General Instructions for Administering Tests to Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Clarification and additions ▫ Examples of effective and ineffective objective evidence ▫ Additional information regarding use of accommodations on TELPAS holistically rated and multiple-choice assessments 6 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

7. Policy Changes ▫ Glossaries that contain content-specific vocabulary NOT allowed as supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) ▫ Expanded list of allowable supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) ▫ Expanded list of allowable manipulatives for TAKS (Accommodated) 7 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

8. Policy Changes continued ▫ Timeline for submitting Accommodation Request Forms to TEA  at least one week prior to testing for all tests except…  at least two weeks prior to testing for TELPAS reading paper test booklets (allows time for processing request and shipping materials) ▫ Requests submitted after these deadlines will NOT be processed 8 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

9. 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 ▫ The online Accommodation Request Form webpage now includes a new training site and training document 9 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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11. Accommodations… Are practices and procedures that provide equitable access to grade-level curriculum during instruction and assessment Do not reduce learning expectations and do not replace the teaching of subject-specific knowledge and skills as outlined in the TEKS for each grade Are provided on an individual basis taking into consideration the needs of student Are used routinely in classroom instruction and testing 11 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

12. Remember… An accommodation may be appropriate for instructional use but may not be appropriate or allowed on a state assessment ▫ Example: student-made journals (lengthy, contains specific examples) Just because an accommodation is not allowed on the state assessment does not mean it isn’t appropriate for instructional use 12 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

13. Who can have accommodations on state assessments? General education students with special needs Students served by Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ELLs with special needs and ELLs eligible for LAT accommodations Students with disabilities who receive special education services 13 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

14. Documentation Special education: IEP Section 504: IAP ELLs: accommodations must be documented by LPAC and kept in permanent record file ELLs in special education: IEP (ARD committee) and permanent record file (LPAC) Other: districts should document use of accommodations according to local policies In all cases, accommodations that require submission of an Accommodation Request Form should be documented as “pending TEA approval” 14 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

15. Documentation Accommodations should be recorded on the student’s answer document after testing ▫ presentation (P) ▫ response (R) ▫ setting (S) ▫ timing and scheduling (T) ▫ large print (LP) ▫ braille (BR) ▫ oral/signed administration (OA) ▫ dyslexia bundled accommodations (DB) ▫ LAT-specific coding in Coordinator Manual 15 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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17. = whether an accommodation may be considered for use on a specific assessment by a student who meets the conditions listed = accommodation is applicable only for paper administrations of TELPAS grades 2-12 reading tests (only available through special request process) Conditions for use are listed below each accommodation 17 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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19. Reminders TELPAS reading tests in grades 2-12 are administered online. Students should be accustomed to reading online and using accommodations online (if appropriate). Tutorials will be available to help students learn to use TELPAS reading test software. 19 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

20. Paper Administrations of TELPAS Reading Tests, Grades 2-12 Consider using an accommodation online before requesting a paper booklet. In rare instances in which it is not feasible or appropriate to use an accommodation online, a paper test booklet (including large print) can be requested by submitting an ARF. ARF must include information explaining why a comparable accommodation in online test is not appropriate. 20 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

21. Requests must be received at least two weeks before testing to allow time to process request and ship materials. If request is approved, TEA will notify district testing coordinator and order the test booklet. 21 Paper Administrations of TELPAS Reading Tests, Grades 2-12 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

22. Keep in mind that… paper tests will be approved only in rare instances paper tests will not be approved on the basis that a student knows very little English has limited exposure to computers (except for rare instances involving special needs, such as certain health conditions) 22 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

23. TELPAS Holistically Rated Assessments, Grades K-12 Based on student classwork and observation during daily instruction Most accommodations used during regular classroom instruction are appropriate. Exceptions: Any accommodation that would interfere with ability of assessment to give clear picture of student’s English language proficiency (Example: submitting writing samples for which a student relied heavily on a dictionary) 23 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

24. Choosing Accommodations for TELPAS Which academic skill test is the student eligible to take: TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), or TAKS-M? Consult the Accommodations by Category Chart for information on available special needs accommodations. 24 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

25. TELPAS & Accommodations By Category Chart 25 When choosing an accommodation for a student taking a TELPAS reading test, first consider what academic skills test the student is eligible to take. In the case of blank graphic organizers, a student must be eligible to take TAKS (Accommodated) or TAKS-M in order to use a blank graphic organizer on a TELPAS reading test. Because blank graphic organizers are not allowed on TAKS, students who are eligible to take TAKS cannot use this accommodation on a TELPAS reading test.

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27. Assessment Process Linguistically Accommodated Testing (LAT) was developed to fulfill federal requirements for testing recent immigrant ELLs who meet LEP exemption criteria under Texas law involves providing linguistic accommodations during TAKS testing to increase test validity for immigrant ELLs learning English is available for math, science, and reading/ELA tests in grades 3–8 and 10 27 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

28. Accommodations LAT linguistic accommodations are now presented in charts! Remember that— in addition to linguistic accommodations, a student taking LAT may be eligible to receive accommodations related to a special need the ARD in conjunction with the LPAC must determine and document linguistic accommodations and special needs accommodations for students taking LAT who receive special education services 28 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

29. Other Accommodations Consult the Accommodations by Category chart for information on available special needs accommodations In most cases, the accommodations listed for TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and TAKS–M in the Accommodations by Category Chart are available for eligible students who participate in LAT administrations of these assessments. Available special needs accommodations depend on which test the student is taking—LAT administration of TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), or TAKS-M 29 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

30. LAT & Accommodations By Category Chart Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference 30 When choosing an accommodation for a student taking LAT, first consider what academic skills test the student is eligible to take. A student taking a LAT administration of TAKS test would not be eligible to use a supplemental aid because supplemental aids are not allowed on TAKS. Students who take a LAT administration of TAKS (Accommodated) or TAKS-M may be permitted to use of this accommodation, provided that the supplemental aid conforms to the guidelines in Appendix D of the manual. Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

31. Accommodations That Do Not Require Documentation The following accommodations from the Accommodations by Category Chart are part of the LAT test administration procedures: Translating test directions Individual and small group administrations Testing over 2 days for LAT administrations of reading and ELA Frequent breaks 31 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

32. Remember that… Accommodation Request Forms are NOT required for the linguistic accommodations used during LAT 32 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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34. Step 1: Determine Whether Request is Necessary MUST consult Accommodations by Category Chart to determine if Accommodation Request Form is necessary and/or review the additional information about accommodations for TELPAS on p. 32 of the Accommodations Manual Requests should not be submitted for accommodations that are locally determined ▫ e.g., colored overlays, oral administration, dyslexia bundle, other methods of response, reminders to stay on task 34 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

35. Submit an Accommodation Request Form if ▫ it is required according to italicized text in Accommodations by Category Chart ▫ a student needs an accommodation not listed in manual ▫ a student needs an accommodation but does not meet the conditions listed in the manual – RARE situation Contact campus or district testing coordinator when questions arise 35 Step 1 continued Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

36. Step 2: Complete the Accommodation Request Form Follow district policy regarding which staff members may complete Accommodation Request Forms One request form for each student needing an accommodation even if it lists multiple testing programs, multiple accommodations, and/or multiple administrations 36 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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38. What is objective evidence? The rationale in the request form Effective objective evidence might include, but is not limited to: ▫ explanation of disability and how it relates to accommodation ▫ observational narrative describing how student performs with and without use of accommodation ▫ test scores with and without use of accommodation 38 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

39. Examples of INEFFECTIVE objective evidence… Blanket requests Data that doesn’t support student need ▫ Student is successful with and without use of accommodation ▫ Student is unsuccessful with and without use of accommodation Lack of any specific information regarding student performance with and without use of accommodation ▫ Scores on assignments, tests, etc. ▫ Description of student behavior, performance, etc. Vague descriptions or language ▫ “easily frustrated”, “prefers large print”, “struggles with reading”, “calculator helps tremendously”, etc. Lack of connection between student’s disability and requested accommodation 39 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

40. Examples of EFFECTIVE objective evidence… Data that supports student need ▫ Scores with and without use of accommodation showing that the student is successful only when using the accommodation Specific information regarding student performance with and without use of accommodation ▫ Explanation of what mistakes the student makes on assignments with and without use of accommodation ▫ Description of the student’s specific “behaviors” with and without use of accommodation, providing a clear picture of how the student’s disability manifests itself and warrants this accommodation ▫ Evidence that evaluation of the effectiveness of the accommodation is ongoing and the accommodation should be continued for student success 40 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

41. Examples of EFFECTIVE objective evidence continued… Descriptions of how the accommodation is used in classroom instruction to access grade-level material Specialized information depending on requested accommodation ▫ TELPAS reading paper test booklet ▫ Extended Time ▫ Photocopies of test ▫ Large print Clear explanation of how the student’s area of need/disability relates to the requested accommodation 41 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

42. Step 3: Submit Accommodation Request Form to TEA Online Accommodation Request Form is preferred method District testing coordinator must review each request to determine whether it is necessary and appropriate, and, if so, submit to TEA with “signature” ▫ Print signature on paper forms ▫ reply to e-mails generated by online Accommodation Request Form Do not assume TEA approval just because request was submitted 42 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

43. How far in advance do I have to submit requests? Accommodation Request Forms for TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS-M, and TELPAS (exception below) must be received by TEA at least one week prior to testing to ensure sufficient time to respond ▫ Requests sent after this deadline will NOT be processed ▫ District testing coordinator should contact TEA if late requests are necessary Accommodation Request Forms for a TELPAS reading paper test booklet must be received by TEA at least two weeks prior to testing to allow time for processing request and shipping materials ▫ If request is approved, TEA will notify district testing coordinator and place order for test booklet 43 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

44. Step 4: Review by TEA Requests can be ▫ Approved ▫ Approved with conditions (e.g., conditions for photocopying secure test material, supplemental aid approved with edits) ▫ Denied May take several weeks to make a determination although every attempt is made to address requests promptly ▫ Do not resubmit unless asked to do so by TEA Accommodations Task Force ▫ If response has not been received prior to testing or questions arise, district testing coordinator should contact TEA Decision is valid during an entire testing cycle, including all retests 44 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

45. Step 5: Receive TEA Decision Accommodation Request Forms received by fax ▫ District testing coordinator receives all accommodation decisions and associated information by fax and relays to campuses Accommodation Request Forms received via online system ▫ District testing coordinator and individual who submitted request will receive an e-mail communication from TEA Any accommodation information should then be shared with appropriate campus staff who are responsible for planning for test days 45 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

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47. How do I know whether a supplemental aid is allowed or needs to be requested? TAKS = NOT allowed TAKS (Accommodated) = Accommodation Request Form needed for supplemental aids not described in Appendix D TAKS-M = No request needed, follow guidelines in Appendix D when determining whether aid is a tool or a source of direct answers TELPAS = Accommodation Request Form needed 47 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

48. It is important to note that… TEA is no longer able to preview supplemental aids prior to an Accommodation Request Form submission Districts should preview their own supplemental aids by comparing them to all of the information in Appendix D of the 2009-2010 Accommodations Manual 48 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

49. It is important to note that… If questions arise when reviewing a supplemental aid Submit an Accommodation Request Form for supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) that do not match those described as allowable in Appendix D OR call your Accommodation Task Force representative with specific questions TEA will continue to review all supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) that are submitted with an Accommodation Request Form Remember, glossaries that contain definitions of content-specific vocabulary are no longer allowed as supplemental aids for TAKS (Accommodated) 49 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

50. Every supplemental aid, whether allowed or approved, should … be a tool that a student knows how to use and not a source of direct answers for the TEKS assessed at each grade level help a student access grade-level content ▫ Does not contain information above the student’s grade level ▫ District’s responsibility to ensure grade-appropriate content that is factual and free from errors be concise and well-organized so that a student can quickly access the information ▫ does not contain numerous pages be routinely used in instruction and testing be documented in the student’s IEP 50 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

51. The following slides are provided as examples of supplemental aids allowed on TAKS (Accommodated) without the submission of an Accommodations Request Form according to the subject-area bulleted lists on pages 72-75 of the Accommodations Manual These examples are meant to be used only as a training tool; supplemental aids may vary depending on the individual needs of each student served by special education I still don’t know whether my student’s supplemental aid is allowed on TAKS (Accommodated)… 51 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

52. Mathematics Supplemental Aids Allowed on TAKS (Accommodated) pages 72-73 of the Accommodations Manual 52 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

53. Mnemonic Devices (p. 72) Mnemonic devices that are acronyms or phrases may be used to help a student recall information. However, the content-specific words that the mnemonic represents are not allowed. Mnemonic devices other than acronyms or phrases require the submission of an Accommodation Request Form. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED KHDMDCM and/or KHD MD CM K ing H enry D ied M onday D rinking C hocolate M ilk KH DM DCM K ilo H ecto D eca M eter D eci C enti M illi 53 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

54. Mnemonic Devices continued ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED Transformations Translation Rotation Reflection Transformations Tran sl ation Ro t ation Re fl ection 54 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

55. Mnemonic Devices continued ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED Para ll el Perpendicu L ar Intersec t ing PARALLEL railroad tracks PERPENDICULAR square corners INTERSECTING street intersection 55 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

56. Pictorial models (p. 72) Pictorial models of fraction bars or fractions circles may be used. However, if the model is labeled, it should not show equivalencies. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED 56

57. Pictorial models (p. 72) Pictorial models of two- and three-dimensional figures, including angles, may be provided; however, naming the figure or describing its attributes is not allowed. It is allowable to point out dimensions such as length or diameter; but it is not allowable to indicate attributes such as providing the number of edges or vertices. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED edges = 12 vertices = 8 faces = 6 face vertex Rectangular Prism height width length edge 57 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

58. Reading Supplemental Aids Allowed on TAKS (Accommodated) page 73 of the Accommodations Manual 58 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

59. ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED R-Read U-Underline & highlight B-Break down question I-Identify concepts E-Eliminate S-Select Mnemonic Devices (p. 73) Mnemonic devices that are acronyms, phrases, words, pictures, or a combination of these may be used to help a student recall information. 59 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

60. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED Five Strategies for Effective Reading Predict—Make a guess about what will happen next. Clarify—Make sure you understand the text. This text was about… Connect—This text makes me think of… Visualize—As I read I can see… Question—What does the author mean by__________? Checklists (p. 73) Checklists that contain general information may be used to remind a student of how a careful reader interacts with text. … checklists that are too detailed are not appropriate for use on an on-demand, one-day test. 60 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

61. Writing Supplemental Aids Allowed on TAKS (Accommodated) pages 73-74 of the Accommodations Manual 61 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

62. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED Checklists (p. 74) Checklists that contain general information may be used to help a student stay focused and to remind him or her of the necessary steps for completing a task. Checklists that are too specific or time consuming are not allowed. … checklists should not provide a formula for writing a composition. 62 Revising checklist Focus/Coherence *Is my main point clear? *Do all my ideas support my main point? Organization *Did I repeat any ideas? *Is each idea/paragraph related? *Are my thoughts linked from paragraph to paragraph? *Did I include ideas that don’t belong? Development *Did I explain my ideas with supporting details? * Did I present my ideas thoughtfully?

63. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED Vocabulary Lists (p. 74) A list of grade-appropriate vocabulary may be used to help students with word choice when composing a written response. For example, lists of homophones and synonyms for commonly used words may be provided. A list may not contain any specific examples of a word’s use. Homophones There – The box is over there. Their – That is their car. They’re - They’re my cousins. Its – The dog hurt its paw. It’s – It’s my favorite food. Through – He went through the door. Threw – She threw the ball. Peace – I need peace and quiet. Piece – I would like a piece of pizza. 63

64. Social Studies Supplemental Aids Allowed on TAKS (Accommodated) page 74 of the Accommodations Manual 64 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

65. AllowedNot Allowed Mnemonic Devices (p. 74) Mnemonic devices that are acronyms may be used to help a student recall information. However, the content-specific words that the mnemonic represents are not allowed. Mnemonic devices other than acronyms require the submission of an Accommodation Request Form. 65 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

66. AllowedNot Allowed Maps (p. 74) Blank maps may be used as long as there is no labeling or numbering of any features on the map. A student could use both physical and political world or U.S. maps. In addition, maps that represent historic events but contain no text or numbering may be used... 66

67. Timelines (p. 74) Blank timelines may be used as long as they contain only dates and have no labeling of events connected to those dates. AllowedNot Allowed 67

68. Science Supplemental Aids Allowed on TAKS (Accommodated) page 75 of the Accommodations Manual 68 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

69. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED APE MAN ROYGBIV King Phillip Come Out For Goodness Sake! A-atomic number = P-protons + E-electrons M-mass number - A-atomic number = N- neutrons Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Mnemonic Devices (p. 75) Mnemonic devices that are acronyms or phrases may be used to help a student recall information. However, the content-specific words that the mnemonic represents are not allowed. Mnemonic devices other than acronyms or phrases require the submission of an Accommodation Request Form. 69 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

70. Graphics (p. 75) A student may use graphics as long as there are not any words or terms identifying any part of the graphic. Graphics that illustrate cycles, food chains, or webs may have arrows showing the series of events. Graphics may not contain mnemonics. ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED 70 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

71. Graphics continued ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED 71 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

72. Graphics that are NEVER allowed …they are a source of direct answers: moon phases, eclipses, changes in seasons, tilt of the earth, reflection, refraction, equinox information, states of matter, and the atom with its parts labeled. 72

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74. The 2009-2010 Accommodations Manual includes information for ALL students. It’s the most important resource for questions regarding testing accommodations on TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS-M, TELPAS, and LAT. All educators who work with and make accommodation decisions for students who have special needs should be familiar with the policies and procedures outlined in this manual. 74 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

75. All accommodations should be documented appropriately according to the services a student receives. The most current information about accommodations for EACH student, including approved requests, should be shared with appropriate campus staff who are responsible for planning for test days. The district testing coordinator is the most valuable resource in your district for accommodation information. 75 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

76. Objective evidence should be included as the rationale for every accommodation. It should be individualized for the needs of each student. Yearly evaluation of need should be a part of EVERY student’s educational program. 76 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference

77. The use of accommodations does not replace the teaching of subject-specific skills as outlined in the state curriculum. ▫ Accommodations assist the student with accessing grade-level material without changing the learning expectations. ▫ Modifications assist the student with accessing grade-level material by changing the learning expectations. Accommodations should not be a source of direct answers for the curriculum being tested. An accommodation may be appropriate for instructional use but may not be appropriate or allowed on a state assessment. But just because an accommodation is not allowed on the state assessment does not mean it isn’t appropriate for instructional use. 77 Texas Education Agency 2009 Texas Assessment Conference