Accommodations, Modifications, & State Testing

1. Accommodations, Modifications, & State Testing Sonya Durrwachter Director of Special Education (361) 242-5600

2. What is an accommodation? • A change made in the teaching or testing procedures in order to provide a student with access to information and to create an equal opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills (Stetson, 2010). • This is HOW we teach • It is an instructional change

3. What is a modification? • A change in WHAT the student is expected to learn and/or demonstrate. While a student may be working on modified course content, the subject area remains the same as the rest of the class (Stetson, 2010). • This is WHAT we teach • It is a curricular change

4. How do the two fit together? • A student can have accommodations, modifications, or both. • Always consider one or more accommodations before considering a content modification (Stetson, 2010).

5. What is it? Accommodation – the how or Modification – the what • Student is provided more time to complete a task, or turn in an assignment. • Accommodation • While student is working on grade level materials the number of curriculum standards has been reduced for the course, content or subject area. • Modification

6. What is it? Accommodation – the how or Modification – the what • The format of the student’s tests is altered to respond to visual perception strategies, word banks, and reduced choices among answers considered (e.g. multiple choice). • Accommodation • The content of a student’s test has been adjusted to account for only three of the seven concepts covered in the materials. • Modification

7. What is it? Accommodation – the how or Modification – the what • Readability has been reduced in an assigned text, or supplemental materials, yet all concepts being introduced are covered. • Accommodation • Student is given note-taking assistance through graphic organizers, advanced note outlines, partially completed outlines, and peer review of notes. • Accommodation

8. What is it? Accommodation – the how or Modification – the what • While the IEP goals are aligned to grade level standards, the student’s IEP goals designate the use of below grade level learner expectations. • Modification • All printed materials are read to the student in a math, science, social studies class, or elective class. • Accommodation

9. What is it? Accommodation – the how or Modification – the what • All printed materials are read to the student in an ELA class. • Modification • Student is provided an alternate form of assessment in place of a test. • Accommodation • Student is given the use of calculator, electronic speller or other technology to support the learning process. • Accommodation

10. Types of STAAR tests • STAAR – general assessment – with or without allowable accommodations • STAAR Modified – alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards – with or without allowable accommodations • STAAR Alternate – alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards

11. Determining which STAAR test • To take a modified or alternate version of the STAAR a student MUST have a modified curriculum, what they are learning in the classroom. • Participation Requirements • STAAR Modified • http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/special-ed/staarm/partreqs/ • STAAR Alternate • http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/special-ed/staaralt/partreqs/

12. Implications of taking STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate • If an admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee makes decisions that place a student with a disability on a modified curriculum (required to take STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate)in any subject area, the student will automatically be placed in the minimum high school program for graduation.

13. Implications of taking STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate • Minimum High School Program • Student cannot initially enroll in a 4 year state university • Must earn 30 transferable hours at a community college before attending a 4 year state university

14. Changes • SB 906 • Effective date: June 14, 2013 • Implementation date for Texas Education Agency (TEA): no later than October 1, 2013 • TEA may not adopt a performance standard that indicates that the student’s performance on an alternate assessment does not meet standards if the lowest level of the assessment accurately represents the student’s developmental level as determined by the student’s admission, review, and dismissal committee.

15. Changes • HB 5 • Action required by 2014-2015 School Year • TEA must redevelop assessment instruments used with students with significant cognitive disabilities.

16. Changes (information from TCASE website) TEA Commissioner of Education Michael Williams recently announced that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will propose a number of policy changes concerning the state’s assessment program for the 2013–2014 school year. The announcement states that because of information TEA received from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the 2013-2014 school year is the last time STAAR-M will be administered. TCASE has not been able to locate a specific directive from the USDE; however, this decision may be a proactive response to an anticipated directive. Based on a March 2013 National Center for Educational Outcomes synthesis report it is clear that the USDE supports the elimination modified assessments. Versions of Congressional ESEA reauthorization bills either eliminate or do not appear to specifically authorize modified assessments. Commissioner Williams also notes that STAAR-Alt will be redeveloped by the 2014-2015 school year with phase in performance standards for the 2013-2014 school year.

17. Accommodations on the STAAR • 2013-2014 Accommodations triangle not up as of 10/8/2013

18. Accommodations on the STAAR(2012-2013) http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/accommodations/staar-telpas/

19. Accommodations on the STAAR(2012-2013) • Must be individualized for each student • Can change over the course of the school year or from year to year based on student needs • May be appropriate for classroom use but may not be appropriate or allowed for use on a statewide assessment • Should be evaluated regularly to determine effectiveness and to help plan for accommodations the student will need each year

20. 3 Types of Accommodations on STAAR testing (2012-2013). • Type 1 • This type of accommodation is available for students who have a specific need and who routinely, independently, and effectively use the accommodation during classroom instruction and testing. It is not necessary to submit an Accommodation Request Form to TEA.

21. 3 Types of Accommodations on STAAR testing (2012-2013) • Type 2 • This type of accommodation includes the requirements of Type 1, along with additional specific eligibility criteria. It is not necessary to submit an Accommodation Request Form to TEA.

22. 3 Types of Accommodation on STAAR testing (2012-2013) • Type 3 • This type of accommodation requires the submission of an Accommodation Request Form to TEA. The request must be approved by TEA before a student can use the accommodation on statewide assessment. Any accommodation that requires the submission and approval of an Accommodation Request Form must be documented in the student’s paperwork as “pending TEA approval.” In the even that a request is denied, the campus should be prepared to meet the student’s needs with allowable accommodations.

23. Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials (2012-2013) • The optional test administration procedures and materials are not considered testing accommodations. • An ARD committee will document these also to ensure they are utilized on state assessments. • http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/manuals/

24. Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials (2012-2013) • Preferential seating • Special lighting conditions • Signing test administration directions or translating test administration directions • Read the test out loud • Read aloud or sign the personal narrative, expository, literary, or persuasive writing prompt • Reading assistance on the grade 3 mathematics test

25. Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials (2012-2013) • Scratch paper or another workspace • Minimize distractions • Colored overlays • Magnifying devices • Blank place markers • Highlighters, colored pencils, or crayons

26. Questions?