DCAS Accommodations for English Language Learners 2010-2011

1. DCAS Accommodations for English Language Learners2010-2011 Training Webinar August 2010 Helen Dennis & Margie Loveland

2. This is Just a recording. Do not try to type in the chat box. It is just a recording! After viewing this recording, if you have questions . . . . . . Watch the DCAS accommodations training Elluminaterecording (recorded on 8/18/10 at 3:30 pm) . . . please attend the 9/1/10 ELL/DCAS Elluminate Session at 1:30 pm-2:30 pm OR You may contact DOE: hdennis@doe.k12.de.us or 302-735-4090 mloveland@doe.k12.de.us or 302-735-4210 (until 8/31/10) apeoples@doe.k12.de.us or 302-735-4140

3. Agenda • DOE Supports (documents) • Discontinued Accommodations • Accommodations carried over to new numbers • New Accommodations • Specific accommodation considerations

4. Support from DOE • Guidelines for Inclusion • Standard and Non-Standard Accommodations Memo (June 2010) • Accommodations Roll-up memo – English Language Learners (July 30, 2010) • Webinars • ELL Informational Recording (you are watching it right now) • DCAS Accommodations database training recording (recorded 8/18/10 at 3:30 pm) • Q & A session (LIVE) scheduled for September 1, 2010 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

5. Discontinued Accommodations • 602: Paraphrasing test questions in English • 702: Student responds to the test by writing/typing responses in Spanish • 706: Paraphrasing test questions for student in native language • 707: Translating reading passages on the reading test into native language • 713: Student dictates responses to test administrator in Spanish • 801: Testing over multiple sessions: this is now permitted for all students, so this accommodation is not needed.

6. Accommodations Recoded to New Numbers • 711: recoded to 600: Reading, re-reading, in SPANISH the test questions, including multiple-choice options. Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies ONLY. Student may be re-assigned to 711 in DCAS-A database if it is determined that human reader is more appropriate. • 603: recoded to 600: Reading, re-reading, in ENGLISH the test questions, including multiple-choice options. All content areas. Student may be re-assigned to 603 in DCAS-A database if it is determined that human reader is more appropriate. • 704 recoded to 703: All students who require a Spanish translation of the DCAS (mathematics, science, and social studies only) will take the Spanish-English side-by-side test. There is no DCAS presented in Spanish only.

7. New Accommodations for ELLs Text-to-Speech: A feature that allows the online test to read itself aloud to the student (headphones required if in room with other students) • In ENGLISH: • accommodation #600: “read aloud the questions” in all content areas. • accommodation #606: “read aloud the passages” on the reading test only. • Reading speed and voice selection must take place in the Microsoft control panel prior to starting the DCAS secure browser. • In SPANISH: • accommodation #600: “read aloud the questions” in mathematics, science, and social studies only. • Reading speed and voice selection must take place in the Microsoft control panel prior to starting the DCAS secure browser.

8. New Accommodations for ELLs, cont’d A human reader may also be used if it is determined to be necessary. • Accommodation 603: read the questions aloud. • Accommodation 609: read the passages aloud. • Individual administration is required for human reader

9. Side-by-Side Spanish and English • Not new, but will be presented somewhat differently from the previous statewide test. • Displayed vertically (stacked), rather than horizontally (side-by-side) • is available for Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies and provides each test item in English and Spanish on a single screen (#703). • Help screens and error messages will be appear in Spanish only, --make sure to provide a printed copy of the help screen in English to each student.

10. New Accommodations for ELLs, Cont’d Paper and Pencil Version • Accommodation #610 provides for a separate paper and pencil version of the DCAS. • The test is fixed-form (not adaptive) and multiple-choice only. • It is offered for a two-week window once during each of the testing windows. • English only. • It is anticipated that very few students will require this accommodation. • Tests will be shipped to AIR after testing is complete and scores will be made available in the score reporting system.

11. Standard and Non-Standard Accommodations

12. Accountability 2010-2011 New Policy • Students who use Non-Standard accommodations • Will count as non-participants in AYP calculations of participation • Will be excluded from AYP calculations of proficiency (% meets the standard)

13. Accountability 2010-2011 Cont’d • Example: Hispanic, low income, ELL student who has the reading passages read to him/her

14. DCAS Accommodation Management

15. Accommodations and the Online Test Delivery System • NO LOCKDOWN of DCAS-Accommodations database • There will be no lockdown period for DCAS-A database. • Make sure student is identified in DELSIS as ELL FIRST • Please enter accommodations at least 72 hours before the student’s scheduled testing time. • If you enter accommodations less than 72 hours before the students scheduled testing time, • the updated accommodations will not appear on the TA’s screen and • any accommodations that must be delivered by the delivery system will not be available to the student • DOE will send accommodations data electronically to the testing contractor daily.

16. Accommodations Screen in Test Delivery System • The test administrator will have access to a read-only screen that shows which students have accommodations, and which accommodations each student is to receive. • Test administrators will NOT be able to modify the test accommodations displayed in the test delivery system screen. • It is a good idea to also have a print-out from the DCAS Accommodations database at testing time.

17. Two Categories of Accommodations There are two categories of accommodations: • Accommodations that must be delivered by the online system. For example: text-to-speech and Spanish-English side by side. • Accommodations that are provided by the school. For example: translator, enhanced lighting, or preferential seating.

18. What if the online test delivery system does not deliver the accommodations that were expected? • If the online system does not deliver an expected accommodation in the first category, “accoms that must be delivered by online system,” i.e. text-to-speech, • student’s test will have to be rescheduled. • student’s record in the DCAS Accommodations database must be updated/verified • 2-3 days must pass before the test delivery system will be updated and able to deliver the updated accommodations. • If the incorrect or missing accommodation falls into the second category, “accommodations that are provided by the school,” then • staff may proceed with the test, providing the correct accommodations. • As soon as possible, the DCAS Accommodations database must be updated to reflect the test accommodations actually delivered

19. Criteria for Receiving an ELL Exemption (Reading Test or High School English II Field Test) An ELL student is considered to be in the first year of enrollment in U.S. schools under the following condition: • The student is new to the United States, AND • is in the first year of enrollment in U.S. schools AND • as of the date of the student’s scheduled test the student has been enrolled in U.S. schools for less than one year.

20. Examples • Jose enrolled in US Schools on 4/1/2010. • Dah Lie enrolled in US Schools on 9/20/2009.

21. High School End of Course Field Test • Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in the following courses will need to have accommodations entered in DCAS-A: • English II • Biology • U.S. History • Algebra I • Integrated Math I

22. Unique Accommodations • Continue to use the Online System for Incidents and Exemptions and Unique Accommodations to submit Unique Accommodation requests • Must be submitted to DOE online no later than 30 days prior to the date on which the student is scheduled to be tested.

23. Other Questions • Will DCAS Practice Tests and Training Tests be Available in Spanish? • Yes • Will the accommodations be available on the practice and training test? • Yes