Testing Accommodations: What Are They and How Are They Implemented?

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Testing Testing Accommodations: Accommodations:

What Are They and What Are They and How Are They How Are They Implemented?Implemented?

Pam BiggsPam BiggsNCDPI Division of Accountability NCDPI Division of Accountability

ServicesServices

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What are Assessment What are Assessment Accommodations?Accommodations?

Changes in the administration of an Changes in the administration of an assessment, such as setting, assessment, such as setting, scheduling, timing, presentation scheduling, timing, presentation format, response mode, or others format, response mode, or others

Accommodations are used for equity, Accommodations are used for equity, not advantage, and serve to level the not advantage, and serve to level the playing fieldplaying field

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What are Assessment What are Assessment Accommodations?Accommodations?

To be appropriate, assessment To be appropriate, assessment accommodations must be identified in the accommodations must be identified in the student’s Individualized Education Program student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plan, or LEP documentation (IEP), Section 504 plan, or LEP documentation and and used regularly during instruction and used regularly during instruction and similar classroom assessmentssimilar classroom assessments

Assessment accommodations must also be Assessment accommodations must also be used in instruction, but not all instructional used in instruction, but not all instructional accommodations are appropriate assessment accommodations are appropriate assessment accommodationsaccommodations

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Instructional vs. Testing Instructional vs. Testing AccommodationsAccommodations

Mark in Book

Extended Time

Large Print

Testing in Separate Room

Graphic Organizers

Scaffolding

Peer Tutor

INSTRUCTIONAL

TESTING

Teacher Notes

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Who is Eligible for Who is Eligible for Accommodations?Accommodations?

A student with disabilities who has a A student with disabilities who has a current:current:

Individualized Education Program (IEP) orIndividualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 PlanSection 504 Plan

A student identified as LEP who has scored A student identified as LEP who has scored below Superior in Reading on the most below Superior in Reading on the most recent administration of the IPT (for recent administration of the IPT (for writing assessment, student must have writing assessment, student must have scored below Superior in Writing on the scored below Superior in Writing on the IPT)IPT)

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Who Determines Who Determines Accommodations?Accommodations?

For a student with disabilities:For a student with disabilities: IEP TeamIEP Team Section 504 CommitteeSection 504 Committee

For a student identified as limited For a student identified as limited English proficient:English proficient:

School-based team/committeeSchool-based team/committee

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Examples of Examples of Accommodations for Accommodations for

Students with Students with Disabilities and Students Disabilities and Students

Identified as LEPIdentified as LEP STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Assistive Technology

Braille Edition

Dictation to a Scribe

Large Print Edition

Sign Language Interpreter

Dictionary/

Electronic

Translator

Read Aloud (Math) Multiple Test SessionsExtended TimeSeparate Room Read Aloud to Self

STUDENTS IDENTIFIED

AS LEP

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Types of Types of AccommodationsAccommodations

Modified Test FormatsModified Test Formats Assistive Technology (AT) Devices Assistive Technology (AT) Devices

and Special Arrangementsand Special Arrangements Special Test EnvironmentsSpecial Test Environments

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Modified Test FormatsModified Test Formats

AccommodationAccommodation Students Students with with

DisabilitieDisabilitiess

Students Students Identified Identified

as LEPas LEP

Braille EditionBraille Edition

Large Print EditionLarge Print Edition

One Item Per Page EditionOne Item Per Page Edition

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AT Devices and Special AT Devices and Special ArrangementsArrangements


DisabilitiesDisabilities

Students Students Identified as Identified as

LEPLEP

AT DevicesAT Devices

Dictation to a ScribeDictation to a Scribe

English/Native Language Dictionary orEnglish/Native Language Dictionary or

Electronic TranslatorElectronic Translator

Interpreter/Transliterator Interpreter/Transliterator Signs/Cues TestSigns/Cues Test

Student Marks Answers in Test Student Marks Answers in Test BookBook

Student Reads Test Aloud to SelfStudent Reads Test Aloud to Self

Test Administrator Reads Test Test Administrator Reads Test AloudAloud

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Special Test Special Test EnvironmentsEnvironments


DisabilitiDisabilitieses

Students Students IdentifieIdentified as LEPd as LEP

Hospital/Home TestingHospital/Home Testing

Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing Sessions

Scheduled Extended Scheduled Extended TimeTime

Testing in a Separate Testing in a Separate RoomRoom

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Top 5 Most Frequently Top 5 Most Frequently Used Accommodations Used Accommodations

on EOGon EOG1. Scheduled Extended Time1. Scheduled Extended Time

2. Testing in a Separate Room2. Testing in a Separate Room

3. Test Administrator Reads Test 3. Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud (Math)Aloud (Math)

4. Student Marks Answers in Test 4. Student Marks Answers in Test BookBook

5. Multiple Testing Sessions5. Multiple Testing Sessions

Based on Green Book data from 2004-05

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Documentation of Documentation of AccommodationsAccommodations

All testing accommodations must be All testing accommodations must be documented in:documented in: IEP;IEP; 504 Plan; or504 Plan; or LEP documentationLEP documentation

Whatever is documented must be used on day of test

Helpful to provide school TC with Helpful to provide school TC with copy of documentation formcopy of documentation form

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Documentation FormsDocumentation Forms

Sample EC documentation forms Sample EC documentation forms may be found on the web:may be found on the web:

www.ncpublicschools.org/policies/tswww.ncpublicschools.org/policies/tswdwd

Forms available in Excel and PDF Forms available in Excel and PDF formatsformats

LEP documentation forms are LEP documentation forms are created by LEAcreated by LEA

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NCTP Table 2

Grades 3-8 and 10 Tests

Space to List Accommodation Specifics

Complete for those tests required at that grade level

Blacked out spaces indicate accommodation would invalidate the test results or that a particular alternate assessment is unavailable for that test

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NCTP Table 3

End-of-Course Tests

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NCTP Table 1

Tests Required for Graduation

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The student’s IEP, Section 504 Plan, or The student’s IEP, Section 504 Plan, or appropriate LEP documentation appropriate LEP documentation should should specify an estimated amount of extra specify an estimated amount of extra time the student will requiretime the student will require

Breaks at standard intervals specified in Test Breaks at standard intervals specified in Test Administrator’s Manual unless student also Administrator’s Manual unless student also has Multiple Testing Sessionshas Multiple Testing Sessions

Student must be allowed bathroom and lunch Student must be allowed bathroom and lunch breaksbreaks

If testing continues past lunch, student must If testing continues past lunch, student must not communicate with other students during not communicate with other students during lunchlunch EC LEP

BO

TH

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If student does not also have Testing If student does not also have Testing in a Separate Room as an in a Separate Room as an accommodation, he/she would begin accommodation, he/she would begin the test in his/her appropriate the test in his/her appropriate testing locationtesting location

If test is not complete after standard If test is not complete after standard test administration time, student test administration time, student should be moved to different should be moved to different location to complete testlocation to complete test

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If student’s estimated time is over, If student’s estimated time is over, but is working diligently, let him/her but is working diligently, let him/her continuecontinue

Must complete in one day if used Must complete in one day if used without Multiple Testing Sessionswithout Multiple Testing Sessions

Testing must be complete prior to Testing must be complete prior to normal afternoon dismissalnormal afternoon dismissal

Documentation may be written in Documentation may be written in terms of minutes (extra 30 minutes) terms of minutes (extra 30 minutes) or as multiple of test time (1.5 x)or as multiple of test time (1.5 x)

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Testing in a Separate Testing in a Separate RoomRoom

One-on-one or Small GroupOne-on-one or Small Group Must be designated on documentationMust be designated on documentation MUST be used if students receive one MUST be used if students receive one

or more of the following or more of the following accommodations:accommodations: Assistive Technology that reads test aloud Assistive Technology that reads test aloud

(without use of headphones)(without use of headphones) Student Reads Test Aloud to SelfStudent Reads Test Aloud to Self Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud EC LEP

BO

TH

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Testing in a Separate Testing in a Separate Room:Room:

One-on-OneOne-on-One Really 2:1Really 2:1 Only one student per testing locationOnly one student per testing location All standard testing procedures must be All standard testing procedures must be

followedfollowed MUST be used if student uses the following:MUST be used if student uses the following:

Assistive Technology that reads test aloud (without Assistive Technology that reads test aloud (without use of headphones)use of headphones)

Dictation to a ScribeDictation to a Scribe Student Reads Test Aloud to Self accommodationStudent Reads Test Aloud to Self accommodation

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Testing in a Separate Testing in a Separate Room:Room:

Small GroupSmall Group IEP or Section 504 Plan may designate IEP or Section 504 Plan may designate

maximum group sizemaximum group size NCDPI does not mandate a maximum NCDPI does not mandate a maximum

group size – HOWEVER, it is a “SMALL group size – HOWEVER, it is a “SMALL group” group”

Test administrator and proctor requiredTest administrator and proctor required Test administrators and proctors must Test administrators and proctors must

follow same guidelines/procedures as follow same guidelines/procedures as standard administrationstandard administration

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Test Administrator Reads Test Administrator Reads Test AloudTest Aloud

Valid accommodation for tests that Valid accommodation for tests that do do not measure reading not measure reading comprehensioncomprehension

Each student’s IEP/504 Plan/LEP Each student’s IEP/504 Plan/LEP documentation must state how test is documentation must state how test is to be read aloudto be read aloud

For example:For example: EverythingEverything By student requestBy student request Everything but numbersEverything but numbers

EC LEP

BO

TH

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Administrative ProceduresAdministrative Procedures

Students should be in test groups Students should be in test groups based on how test is to be readbased on how test is to be read

Must be in small group or one-on-Must be in small group or one-on-one administrations (this must also one administrations (this must also be in documentation)be in documentation) One-on-One suggested for Online Test One-on-One suggested for Online Test

of Computer Skillsof Computer Skills

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Test administrator must have a copy Test administrator must have a copy of the test to read fromof the test to read from

May repeat instructions and test May repeat instructions and test questions as many times as neededquestions as many times as needed

Test items and answer choices must Test items and answer choices must be read in a consistent mannerbe read in a consistent manner

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Fractions, greater/less than signs, Fractions, greater/less than signs, equal signs, exponents, etc. should equal signs, exponents, etc. should be read in same manner as routinely be read in same manner as routinely used in classroom used in classroom

EXCEPT EXCEPT

if reading it that way provides the if reading it that way provides the student with the answerstudent with the answer

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Example 1Example 1

The students count 149 balls in the The students count 149 balls in the gym. What is another way of writing gym. What is another way of writing the number of balls in the gym?the number of balls in the gym?

A A fourteen ninefourteen nine

B B one forty-nineone forty-nine

C C one hundred forty-nineone hundred forty-nine

D D one hundred fourteen nineone hundred fourteen nine

Grade 3 Math Sample Test Item

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Example 1 Example 1 Should be read as:Should be read as:

The students count one-four-nine balls in The students count one-four-nine balls in the gym. What is another way of the gym. What is another way of writing the number of balls in the gym?writing the number of balls in the gym?

A A fourteen ninefourteen nine

B B one forty-nineone forty-nine

C C one hundred forty-nineone hundred forty-nine

D D one hundred fourteen nineone hundred fourteen nine


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Example 2Example 2

What is the standard form of 7,000 + What is the standard form of 7,000 + 800 + 20 + 5?800 + 20 + 5?

AA 7,2857,285

B B 7,825 7,825

C C 7,8527,852

D D 7,5287,528


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Example 2Example 2Should be read as:Should be read as:

What is the standard form of seven-What is the standard form of seven-comma-zero-zero-zero plus eight-comma-zero-zero-zero plus eight-zero-zero plus two-zero plus five?zero-zero plus two-zero plus five?

AA seven-comma-two-eight-fiveseven-comma-two-eight-five

B B seven-comma-eight-two-five seven-comma-eight-two-five

C C seven-comma-eight-five-twoseven-comma-eight-five-two

D D seven-comma-five-two-eightseven-comma-five-two-eight


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Student Marks Answers Student Marks Answers in Test Bookin Test Book

Student’s full name and second Student’s full name and second identifier (e.g., student ID or date of identifier (e.g., student ID or date of birth) must be legible on cover of test birth) must be legible on cover of test bookbook

Student should not have answer sheet Student should not have answer sheet during actual testingduring actual testing

If all students in group have this If all students in group have this accommodation, omit directions on accommodation, omit directions on filling in answer choices on answer filling in answer choices on answer sheetsheet

EC LEP

BO

TH

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Student Marks Answers Student Marks Answers in Test Bookin Test Book

After completion of testingAfter completion of testing Staff member must transfer student’s Staff member must transfer student’s

answers to multiple-choice test answers to multiple-choice test questions to the appropriate answer questions to the appropriate answer sheetsheet

22ndnd staff member must check the staff member must check the transcription to verify accuracytranscription to verify accuracy

Both people must sign outside of test Both people must sign outside of test bookbook

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Multiple Testing Multiple Testing SessionsSessions

How test administration is to be How test administration is to be divided must be documenteddivided must be documented More frequent breaksMore frequent breaks Over multiple daysOver multiple days

If student does not also have If student does not also have Scheduled Extended Time, total Scheduled Extended Time, total administration time should be administration time should be limited to that in TAM.limited to that in TAM.

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Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing SessionsExample 1Example 1

John can complete a test in the standard administration time. However, he needs breaks more frequently than those designated in the Test Administrator’s Manual.

EC LEP

BO

TH

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Multiple Testing Sessions Multiple Testing Sessions Example 1Example 1

Standard Test Standard Test AdministrationAdministration

JohnJohn

Time on testTime on test 9090 9090

Days of testingDays of testing 11 11

Frequency of Frequency of breaksbreaks

After 45 minutesAfter 45 minutes Every 20 Every 20 minutesminutes

Number of Number of breaksbreaks

11 44

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Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing SessionsExample 2Example 2

Sasha requires the test to be divided over two days. She will need additional time beyond that allowed in a standard test administration. Her LEP documentation lists the following accommodations: Testing in a Separate Room, Scheduled Extended Time (Extra 20 minutes), and Multiple Testing Sessions (2 days).

EC LEP

BO

TH

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Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing SessionsExample 2 Example 2

Standard Standard Test Test

AdministratAdministrationion

SashaSasha

Days of Days of testingtesting

11 22

Day 1Day 1 Day 2Day 2

Time on Time on testtest

9090 5555 5555

FrequencFrequency of y of

breaksbreaks

After 45 After 45 minutesminutes



Number Number of breaksof breaks

11 11 11

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Student Reads Test Aloud Student Reads Test Aloud to Self Accommodationto Self Accommodation

New for 2005-06 school yearNew for 2005-06 school year Use of whisper-phone is included in Use of whisper-phone is included in

this accommodation and must follow this accommodation and must follow the same guidelinesthe same guidelines

EC LEP

BO

TH

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Student Reads Test Aloud Student Reads Test Aloud to Self Accommodationto Self Accommodation

Requires one-on-one administrationRequires one-on-one administration Test administrator & proctor per Test administrator & proctor per

studentstudent No other students in roomNo other students in room

If student misreads part of reading If student misreads part of reading comprehension test, test comprehension test, test administrator or proctor may NOT administrator or proctor may NOT correct studentcorrect student

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Other Accommodations:Other Accommodations:Students with DisabilitiesStudents with Disabilities

IEP team/Section 504 committee IEP team/Section 504 committee determines appropriate accommodationsdetermines appropriate accommodations

Check to see if on “approved” list (pg. Check to see if on “approved” list (pg. D1.02-1.04 of D1.02-1.04 of Testing Students with Testing Students with DisabilitiesDisabilities))

If not on list (and for AT devices not If not on list (and for AT devices not specifically described in document) specifically described in document) Accommodation Notification Form must be Accommodation Notification Form must be completed completed

Discuss with Local Test CoordinatorDiscuss with Local Test Coordinator

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Questions?Questions?

Teacher

School Test Coordinator

LEA Test Coordinator

RAC

NCDPI

Documents

Testing Accommodations: What Are They and How Are They Implemented?