accommodations & sped assessment

JANUARY 25, 2012TETN #10418

TEAS STUDENT ASSESSMENT DIVISION Accommodations & SpEd Assessment

Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012

DisclaimerThese slides have been prepared and approved by the Student Assessment Division of the Texas Education Agency.

If any slide is amended or revised for use in local or regional trainings, please remove the TEA footer at the bottom of the slide.

*Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


CautionTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*There are a lot of really good trainings and presentations from outside sources that summarize STAAR policies and testing accommodation policies.Take advantage of opportunities to participate in all trainings and presentations.However, use the TEA webpages and presentations as the primary source of accurate information. Critical content can oftentimes be compromised when information is summarized into at-a-glance charts or simply worded documents.


Agenda Whats New on the Student Assessment WebpagesAccommodations UpdateAnswers to Recent FAQs



Whats New on the Student Assessment Webpages?STAAR Time Limits Policies and ProceduresPowerPoint presentations from the December 2011 Assessment Conference Special Education Graduation Flowcharts STAAR Dictionary and Calculator Policies (not accommodations)STAAR Modified Released Test Questions Accommodation Informationmore to come in a bit*Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


Whats New on the Student Assessment Webpages?*Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


Accommodations Update *Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


Eligibility Criteria Clarification If the eligibility criteria looks similar to this

then the student must meet ALL of the criteria listedand means that ALL lines with a check box must be true*Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


Eligibility Criteria Clarification If the eligibility criteria looks like this

Then the student must meet ALL of the first few bullets AND ONE of last few bullets. *Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


Documents on the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Webpage with No Changes Look for Fall 2011 in footerAmplification DevicesProjection DevicesFont and Point Size Matrices



Updates to Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Webpage Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footer.

If you have a version of the following documents with Fall 2011 in footer, it is outdated.

Print a new document that has Updated December 2011 in footer.

Critical Information about Accommodations for Students with DisabilitiesOptional Test Administration Procedures and Materials Manipulating Test MaterialsMath ManipulativesCalculation DevicesSupplemental AidsLarge PrintDictionaryOral/Signed Administration


Critical Information about Accommodations for Students with DisabilitiesTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentPage 2: Removed individual administration and small-group administration from the list of examples of Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials Page 3: Revisions to paragraph describing Type 3 accommodationsPage 4: Revisions to paragraph describing accommodation use in unexpected or emergency situations


Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentReorganization of information on page 1Paragraph 2: Clarifications regarding any student vs every student; make materials available but do not require their useParagraph 3: Clarifications to required documentation & removal of the authority for decision phrasesNew Bullet: Read Aloud the Writing PromptClarification to instrumental music under Minimize Distractions: Campus testing coordinator must verify that there are no lyrics


Manipulating Test MaterialsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerOne typo correctedNo changes to eligibility criteria


Mathematics ManipulativesTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentAddition of a new eligibility criterion

Additional information to geometric figures regarding 3D form and 2D form (nets); no colors used as labels


Calculation DevicesTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentNo changes to eligibility criteriaReordered bullets under Special Instructions/ ConsiderationsRemoved some bullets and replaced with new 3rd bullet about required calculator use for some assessments:


Supplemental AidsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentNo changes to eligibility criteriaClarifications and revisions to allowable supplemental aidsMnemonic Devices: Only mnemonic devices that are acronyms or phrases based on an acronym should be used.Blank Graphic Organizers: Colors used as labels added to the NEVER list. Arrows and fill-in-the-blank spaces removed from the NEVER list.


Supplemental AidsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Math: Pictorial Models may be provided in either 3D form or 2D form (net) but NOT in both forms. Colors used as labels added to the NEVER list. Arrows and fill-in-the-blank spaces removed from the NEVER list.Science Graphics: Colors used as labels added to the NEVER list. Arrows and fill-in-the-blank spaces removed from the NEVER list.Social Studies Graphics: Blank maps should NEVER contain titles, words, labels, colors used as labels, pictures, acronyms, mnemonics, numbers, symbols, or variables.Social Studies Timelines: Only dates are allowed. Labeling in any other way is NEVER allowed.


Supplemental AidsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*2 new bullets added under Special Instructions/ Considerations


Supplemental AidsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*New training slides posted with examples of allowable and non-allowable supplemental aidsSupplemental Aids for STAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, and STAAR L: What's Allowed and What's Not? (PPTposted 01/02/12) Correction to Slide #13It is allowable for the Multiplication Chart to have the multiplicationsymbol in the upper corner to indicate the operation.


Large PrintTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentNo changes to eligibility criteria


DictionaryTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentNo changes to eligibility criteriaAdded description of bilingual and ESL dictionaries under Examples/Types


DictionaryTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Reordered bullets and clarified information under Special Instructions/ConsiderationsRefer to STAAR Dictionary Policy document for required dictionariesStudents should use the same type of dictionary they routinely use during classroom instruction and testing.Must be commercially produced, not teacher-made or student-made.


Oral/Signed AdministrationTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Look for Updated December 2011 in footerEdits to grammar/style that dont affect contentNo changes to eligibility criteriaAll references to reading support also apply to signing during a signed administration.New format for listing the assessments that OA may be used for, but no changes to the content. Still not allowed for the writing tests, including writing tests in English I, English II, and English III. Reading aloud the writing prompt is addressed under Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials.


Oral/Signed AdministrationTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Special Instructions/ConsiderationsAdded If this accommodation is distracting to other students or compromises the security of the test, an individual administration is required.Reordered and added information to be consistent with the Oral/Signed Administration appendix to all of the test administrator manuals.For reading tests (including English I, II, and III), student must read selection first. Then the TA may read aloud each test question and answer choices. The questions and answer choices must be read aloud in the order they are presented.For math, science, and social studies tests, the questions and answer choices must be read aloud in the order they are presented. The test question must be read aloud prior to reading the answer choices.


Newly Posted Documents to the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities WebpageTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Individual or Small-Group Administration

Spelling Assistance

Braille

Photocopying Test Materials

Trained in TETN #10417Reminders to Stay on Task Basic TranscribingComplex TranscribingExtra Time (Same Day)Extra DayOther

General Instructions for Administering Braille and Large-Print Statewide Assessments


Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*


Reminders to Stay on TaskTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*DescriptionAllows a test administrator to provide a student with a disability reminders to stay on task during statewide testing beyond what is required in the standard test administration procedures.AssessmentsSTAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L, TELPASEligibility CriteriaThe student routinely and effectively uses this accommodation during classroom instruction and testing.


Reminders to Stay on TaskTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Type 1, so no Accommodation Request Form required.Mark blank bubble under Type 1 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on students answer document.Examples/TypesMore frequent or less frequent reminders of time left to test. Refer to the STAAR Time Limits Policies and Procedures on STAAR Resources webpage for information about announcing to all students the time left to test.Verbal and visual remindersTactile reminders can include using paperclips to divide test into sectionsAuditory reminders can include a personal timer or clockIt is allowable to assist some students with certain reminders (paperclips, timer). It is preferable that the student control the use of the reminder when possible.


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*DescriptionAllows a test administrator to transfer student responses onto an answer document when a student with a disability is unable to accomplish this task independently.Transferring student responses from one source onto the answer document is the important part to understand.The student has indicated responses in some other place/manner for the TA to record onto the answer document.AssessmentsSTAAR , STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR LRefer to Special Instructions/Considerations for TELPAS


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*

Type 2 - no Accommodation Request Form required.Mark blank bubble under Type 2 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on students answer document.


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Examples/TypesBasic Transcribing applies to these situations ONLY:Student writes, circles, or points to responses in test booklet for multiple-choice and/or griddable questions. TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.Student dictates or signs responses to MC, griddable, and/or short-answer reading questions. TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Examples/Types (continued)Student writes responses on scratch paper/another workspace or types on a word processor for MC, griddable, short-answer reading questions, and/or the writing prompts. TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.Student uses speech-to-text software to indicate responses for MC, griddable, short-answer reading questions, and/or the writing prompts. After printing the text, TA transfers student responses onto the answer document.


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Special Instructions/ ConsiderationsWhen transcribing a students dictated or signed responses to the short-answer reading questions, TA is not required to ask for clarification from student regarding spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Not part of scoring rubric.The student must be given the full amount of time allotted to complete the test. The TA may transfer student responses onto the answer document after the testing period has ended.For info about TA transcribing a students dictated or signed responses to the writing prompts, refer to the Complex Transcribing accommodation policy.If student needs TA to write for other reasons (e.g., make notes in test booklet, write computations during math test), refer to the Other accommodation policy.


Transcribing Griddable Questions Student DocumentTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012Must be used when transcribing student responses to griddable questions. Also applies to LP tests.Allows the student to know the maximum number of spaces available for an answer to a griddable question. All student documents and a training document will be available in February at www.TexasAssessment.com.

STAAR Modified Geometry is a field test this spring; this sheet is not available.*Basic Transcribing


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Special Instructions/ Considerations (continued)If Basic Transcribing can be used to meet a students needs in an unexpected or emergency situation, it is not necessary to contact TEA.


Basic TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*This document requires an update to the Special Instructions/Considerations section and will be reposted with Updated February 2012 in the footer:

If the student uses technology to respond to test questions or the writing prompts, ensure the following (if applicable to the technology)internet access must be disabledall special features (e.g., spell check, word predictor) must be disabled unless the student meets the eligibility criteria outlined in the Spelling Assistance accommodation policy


Complex TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*DescriptionAllows a test administrator to record onto an answer document a students dictated or signed responses to the writing prompts when the student is unable to accomplish this task independently.Also applies to prewriting or draftsNot addressed under Basic Transcribing because this involves interaction between student and TA regarding spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, and this requires guidance from TEA.AssessmentsWritten composition parts of STAAR , STAAR Spanish, and STAAR Modified on grade 4 or grade 7 writing testsWritten composition parts of STAAR and STAAR Modified English I, English II, or English III testsDoes not apply to the multiple-choice revising and editing section


Complex TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*


Complex TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Authority for Decision/DocumentationApplicable committee recommends the use of the accommodation and documents as pending TEA approval.Mark blank bubble under Type 3 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on students answer document.Type 3 Accommodation Request Form required.


Complex TranscribingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Examples/TypesOnly used when the student dictates or signs responsesto writing prompts for the TA to transcribe.Special Instructions/ConsiderationsTEA will provide guidelines about how to indicate the students spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, along with other procedures, with any approved ARF.The student must be given the full amount of time allotted to complete the entire test (4 hours each day). This includes the MC part as well as the written compositions. The TA may transfer the final responses onto the answer document after the testing period has ended if necessary.If Complex Transcribing is necessary in an unexpected or emergency situation, the district must immediately contact TEA for permission and guidance.


Extra Time (Same Day)Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*DescriptionAllows a student with a disability to have extra time until the end of the school day to complete a statewide assessment.AssessmentsSTAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR LTELPAS is already administered during the entire school day


Extra Time (Same Day)Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*


Extra Time (Same Day)Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Type 2 no Accommodation Request Form required.Mark blank bubble and XT under Type 2 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on students answer document.Special Instructions/ConsiderationsNot intended for all students in a specific disability category.Only for a student with a disability with a proven need and documented success by using extra time on assignments similar in length and rigor to statewide assessment.Not allowable for general test anxiety or to complete specific testing strategies.Extra time testing sessions must never extend beyond a typical 7-hour school day for any one student.Special instructions for an ELL with a disability using extra time.


Extra DayTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*DescriptionAllows a student with a disability to have an extra day to complete a statewide assessment.AssessmentsSTAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L, TELPAS


Extra DayTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*


Extra DayTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Authority for Decision/DocumentationApplicable committee recommends the use of the accommodation and documents as pending TEA approval.Mark blank bubble and XD under Type 3 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on students answer document.Type 3 Accommodation Request Form required.Special Instructions/ConsiderationsTEA will provide additional guidelines with any approved ARF.Intended for an extremely small group of students with disabilities who have a proven/documented need.1-day tests extended to 2 full, consecutive school days (not to exceed 7 hours each day); 2-day tests extended to 3 full, consecutive school days (not to exceed 7 hours each day)


OtherTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*DescriptionAccommodations for students with disabilities who have unique needs that are not specifically addressed in the Accommodation Triangle.AssessmentsSTAAR, STAAR Spanish, STAAR Modified, STAAR L, TELPAS


OtherTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Authority for Decision/DocumentationApplicable committee recommends the use of the accommodation and documents as pending TEA approval.Mark blank bubble under Type 3 in ACCOMMODATIONS field on students answer document.Type 3 Accommodation Request Form required


OtherTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Example/TypesOther applies to accommodations that are not addressed in the Accommodation Triangle.Other does not apply to accommodations for which a student does not meet the published eligibility criteria.Other does not apply to things not included in the published accommodation policies, like additional supplemental aids or dictionaries for math, science, and social studies.Special Instructions/ConsiderationsDTC calls ATF member to determine if desired accommodation fits this category. If so, ATF member enters into online system.TEA will provide additional guidelines with any approved ARF.


General Instructions for Administering Braille and Large-Print Statewide AssessmentsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Addresses issues related to both the TAKS and STAAR testing programsAddresses specific procedures for:Student materials/equipment (e.g., different types of paper and pens, slate and stylus, low-vision devices, speech-output calculators, special lighting)Word processor to generate a written responseAudio-graphing calculatorMore time to complete testingTranscribing Griddable Questions student documentTranscribing to answer document


Accommodation Request Process for Type 3 AccommodationsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Online Accommodation Request Form will open by February 1, 2012

Districts must follow a specific process More specific training provided in Feb. TETN


Accommodation Request Process for Type 3 AccommodationsTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Remember Only Type 3 Accommodations require the submission of an Accommodation Request FormComplex TranscribingPhotocopyExtra DayOther - Always call TEAs Accommodation Task Force if you think an accommodation is an Other

Which accommodation is an Other?Blind, cerebral palsy, unable to learn braille read the reading test?3rd grader, Special Education, learning disabled in math calculator?


What is left to post? Accommodation Request Process for Type 3 Accommodations before Feb. 1Guidelines for Recording Accommodation Use on the Students Answer DocumentGeneral Instructions for Administering Statewide Assessments to Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing *Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012


Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Answers to Recent FAQs


In the eligibility criteria for Oral/Signed Administration, what would evidence of reading difficulties look like in the IEP or IAP? A student who meets the following criteria may receive an oral administration:

Evidence of reading difficulties is not intended to mean that the student must be identified as learning disabled in reading. Some students may have a disability, either cognitive or emotional for instance, that directly impacts their ability to decode text.



Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*The Section 504/ARD committee needs to ensure that the IAP/IEP contains evidence that the student has reading difficulties and is receiving accommodations to support this need. Example Evidence: diagnostic test results, observational reports, class grades with and without reading support, goals/objectivesRemember just because a student has reading difficulties, doesnt mean an oral administration is going to help. This accommodation should be used only for students who use it ROUTINELY and EFFECTIVELY in the class.

A similar answer applies to the eligibility criteria for Calculation Devices that states, The student has a disability that affects mathematics calculations.


Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*REMEMBER:

Evidence = documentation in the IEP or IAP

Reading Difficulties = a problem reading

Dont just focus on the disability or label a student has

Focus on the accommodations the student is using in class to address his/her needs


Is an Oral Administration allowed for writing tests? Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*No. An Oral/Signed Administration is not allowed on the grades 4 and 7 writing tests and the English I, II, and III writing tests. That is why writing is not included in the list of assessments for which Oral Administration applies to.However, refer to the Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials document for information about reading aloud the writing prompts.


Can a student receiving an Oral Administration have Extra Time too? Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*The student MAY have Extra Time if he/she meets the eligibility criteria for this accommodation. A student MAY NOT have Extra Time just because they are receiving an Oral Administration.


Is ADD or ADHD considered an emotional or behavioral disorder that can affect focus, allowing for Extra Time? Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*This decision should be made by the appropriate team at the campus-level (e.g., ARD committee, Section 504 committee, RTI team, student assistance team) based on the eligibility criteria for Extra Time. Example: The campus-level team could determine a student with ADD/ADHD could have extra time if he/she routinely used extra time to complete classroom assignments and assessments, AND he/she had evidence that extra time was effective in meeting the students needs, ANDhe/she had evidence that Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials/Type 1 accommodations/Type 2 accommodations had been tried and did not alone (or at all) address the students needs, ANDthe ADD manifested itself as a behavioral/emotional problem that affected attention/focus and required frequent/lengthy breaksFor some students, the answer could be YES. For others, the answer would be NO.


If a student receives an individual administration because he/ she was distracting to other students during testing, do I mark the accommodation on the answer document? If a student receives an individual administration because the school followed this guidance (listed on many accommodation policy documents)

then Type 1 should NOT be recorded on the answer document.This is an example of maintaining test security and confidentiality, not a testing accommodation.TEA only wants data in the ACCOMMODATIONS field when a student requires a testing accommodation and has documentation in the applicable paperwork.



Can students taking STAAR and STAAR Modified be grouped together on test day? You will have separate test administrator manuals for STAAR grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and EOC

So students taking mathematics, science, and social studies tests CAN be grouped across these grades/courses and testing programs IF they are not receiving optional test administration procedures/materials or accommodations that may be distracting to other students (e.g., reading test aloud to self, oral administration)Example: May be OK to group all students taking 4-5 mathematics but not OK to group all students taking grades 5-6 mathematics (because there are separate test administrator manuals)



Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Students taking STAAR reading and writing tests could be grouped together IF they are not receiving optional test administration procedures/materials or accommodations that may be distracting to other studentsBut students taking the following STAAR Modified tests CANNOT be grouped across grades or with students taking STAARSTAAR Modified grades 3-8 readingSTAAR Modified grades 4 and 7 writingSTAAR Modified English I or II reading and writing tests These assessments require the test administrator to read aloud parts of the testNote: Corrections to some STAAR/STAAR Modified TA manuals are already necessary. Look for separate correction pages when the TA manuals are delivered.


What will the weighting of the written composition be on the STAAR Modified writing tests? Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*This decision has not been finalized at this time. Keep checking the STAAR Modified Resources webpage for updates.


The modification guidelines for STAAR Modified Algebra I & Geometry mention directing student attention to the ruler?Texas Education Agency January 25, 2012*This is an error. Modified test questions for EOC assessments do not direct the students to use the ruler on the state-supplied reference materials.There is no ruler on the state-supplied reference materials for Algebra I and Geometry.This will be corrected in the future, maybe not until next year.


ClosingTexas Education Agency January 25, 2012*Check the webpages for latest postings before calling or e-mailing.E-mail:Test.Accommodations@tea.state.tx.usAssessment.StudentsWithDisabilities@tea.state.tx.usCall if you need quick answers: 512.463.9536

Next TETN #10419, Feb. 28, 1-3 pm.This PPT will be posted sometime next week.


*******

accommodations & sped assessment

Documents

cautiontexas education

staar policies

critical information

criteria listedand

tea footer

agenda whats new

calculator policies

tea webpages