Administering Accessibility Features and Accommodations

on the PARCC Paper-Based Field Test

(PBT)

• The purpose of this PPT is to prepare test administrators to administer accessibility features and accommodations on the paper-based Field Test (FT).

– Review available Field Test accessibility features and accommodations and administration guidance

– Share resources for additional accessibility training, including trainings on policy, protocol, and operational implementation guidance

• For Registration Information & Technical Guidance for CBT, click HERE

• For guidance on Selecting and Monitoring accommodations; and Policies for Operational Administration, click HERE.

Purpose

PARCC Comprehensive Accessibility Policies

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Features for All Students

Accessibility Features*

Identified in advance

Accommodations**

* Available to all participating students**For students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities

Accessibility Features on FTfor All Students

• Tool, support, scaffold, or preference that is built into the assessment system that can be used by any student.

• Universal design features expected to benefit a variety of students and are available to all students.

• During the assessment, students can choose which accessibility features they need for specific items. Examples include: audio amplification, highlighting, glossary, etc.

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Accessibility Features on FTIdentified in Advance

• Available to all students (i.e., not limited to students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or English learners), but will be selected and “turned on” by school-based educators prior to the assessment.

• Although school-based educators will enable the accessibility features, the student will decide whether or not to use it.

• PARCC has developed an optional PARCC Field Test Accessibility Features and Accommodation Documentation Form. This can be used to assist in registering on PearsonAccess.

If this form is used, review with test administrators prior to field testing!5

Adjustments to the test setting, test format, or test administration procedures that provide equitable access for students with disabilities, students who are English learners, and students with disabilities who are also English learners.

Accommodations for the PARCC assessments include: – Accommodations for SWD

o Presentation Accommodationso Response Accommodationso Timing and Scheduling Accommodations

– Accommodations for ELs– Unique Accommodations – Emergency Accommodations

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and English Learners

Administrative Considerations for All Students

School based teams (including IEP, 504 plan or EL teams as appropriate) may determine if any student requires any of the following test administration considerations, regardless of the student’s status as a student with a disability or English learner:

– Small group testing – Frequent breaks – Time of day – Separate or alternate location – Specified area or seating – Adaptive and specialized equipment, furniture, or lighting

Please note: IEP, 504 and EL teams may still wish to document this in a student’s IEP, 504 plan, or EL plan based on individual needs.

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Let’s Review the Accessibility Features and Accommodations that are Available for the

PARCC Paper-Based Field Test.

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Accessibility Features Available for the Paper-Based Field Test (PBT)

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Accessibility Features for All Students Available for the Field Test

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Accessibility Features for All StudentsComputer Administration Paper Administration

Audio Amplification Auditory Aids Blank Paper Blank Paper

Eliminate Answer Choices Visual Aids/Organizers Flag Items for Review Visual Aids/Organizers

General Administration Directions Clarified General Administration Directions ClarifiedGeneral Administration Directions Read Aloud

and RepeatedGeneral Administration Directions Read Aloud

and Repeated

Highlighter Tool External HighlighterHeadphones or Noise Buffers Auditory Aids

Line Reader Visual Aids/Organizers Magnification/Enlargement Device Magnification/Enlargement Device

Screen Enlargement Tool Large Print TestPop-Up Glossary Glossary in footnotes

Redirect Student to Test Redirect Student to TestWriting Tools Spell Checker

PBT Accessibility Features for All Students Available for the Field Test

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Accessibility Features for All Students

Administration Instructions

Auditory Aids Students may bring their own external devices they use in instruction.

Blank Paper Test Administrator provides to students.Visual Aids/Organizers (eliminate answer choices)

Students can scratch out or mark with an “X” answers they would like to eliminate in grades 4-11 in their test booklet but NOT their answer sheet. Grade 3 has a consumable text book writing in the test booklet outside marking answers is not allowed. Removable markers (e.g., small strips of paper) can be used in grade 3.

Flag Items for Review Student can flag question with a writing instrument in their test booklet but NOT their answer sheet to indicate a flag in grades 4-11. Grade 3 has a consumable text book writing in the test booklet outside marking answers is not allowed. Removable markers (e.g., small strips of paper) can be used in grade 3.

General Administration Directions Clarified

Test Administrator clarifies directions for students who raise their hands and ask.

General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated

Test Administrator reads directions aloud for all students, and repeats only to student who raise their hands and ask.

PBT Accessibility Features for All Students Available for the Field Test

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Accessibility Features for All Students Administration InstructionsExternal Highlighter (highlighter tool) Students may choose to bring an external highlighter and

highlight for understanding in their test books in grades 4-11 but NOT their answer sheet. Grade 3 has a consumable test book so highlighters are not allowed.

Auditory Aids (headphones or noise buffer) Students may bring their own external noise buffers/ headphones. If using for text-to-speech, TA will need to ensure headphones are plugged in.

Visual Aids/Organizers (line reader) Students may bring their own external line reader (e.g., straight edge).

Magnification/Enlargement Device Students may bring their own external magnification device (e.g. magnifying glass).

Large Print Test Book Students may also need to take the large print test book.Glossary in footnotes (pop-up glossary) Students can refer to a glossary of pre-selected terms in the

footnotes of the test book. Redirect Student to Test Test Administrator redirects individual students based on

need.Spell Checker Students may bring their own external spell check device.

Device cannot have embedded grammar check, connect to the internet, or save information.

Writing Tools Students may choose to italicize, underline, etc. in their written responses.

Accessibility Features Identified in Advance Available for the Paper-Based Field Test (PBT)

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Accessibility FeaturesIdentified in Advance for Paper Administration

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Accessibility Features Administration

Answer Masking Test administrator can provide students with answer masking cards (e.g. blank paper, straight edge) to temporarily cover answers in their test booklet.

Background/Font Color (Color Contrast)

Colored overlays may be used by the student as need. Font color cannot be changed.

Text-to-Speech for the Mathematics Assessments

Test administrator will receive a “read-aloud kit” in their materials shipment, which includes two test booklets (one for TA & one for student). Test administrator will read aloud (or sign) the assessment to pre-selected students according to the Protocol and Math Audio Guidelines on PARCConline.org. Students in each grade/content area who need a human reader will take the same test so small group administration can occur.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (SWD)Identified in Advance via an IEP or 504 Plan and

Available for the Paper-Based Field Test

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Assistive Technology

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• Some students with disabilities (with IEPs or 504 plans) may need to bring assistive technology to equitably access the PARCC Field Test.

• For current guidance on assistive technology for the PARCC Field Test, please refer to the posted guidelines on PARCConline.org.

PBT Presentation Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

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Accommodation Availability Administration

Paper-and-Pencil Edition All Grades Test administrator gives paper-and-pencil assessment.

Text-to-Speech for ELA/Literacy Assessment**(See GUIDANCE p.27-29)

All Content

Test administrator will receive a “read-aloud kit” in their materials shipment, which includes two test booklets (one for TA & one for student). Test administrator will read aloud (or sign) the assessment to pre-selected students according to the Protocol and ELA Audio Guidelines. Students in each grade/content area who need a human reader will take the same test so small group administration can occur.

PBT Response Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

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Accommodation Availability Administration

Calculation Device and Mathematics Tools **(See GUIDANCE p.30)

All Grades Students may bring external calculation devices (e.g., abacus, talking calculator, large button calculator).

Scribe**(See GUIDANCE p.31-32)

All Grades and Content Areas

Students must be tested individually. Students may also sign responses to an interpreter. Human scribes/interpreters will scribe student responses according to the posted Scribe Guidelines.

Word Prediction**(See GUIDANCE p.33) All Grades

Students may bring external word prediction devices for the ELA/literacy Performance-Based Assessment. Devices cannot include grammar check, connect to the internet, or save information.

Timing & Scheduling Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

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Computer & Paper Administration

Accommodation Availability Administration

Extended Time (See GUIDANCE p.34) All Grades

Student gets extended time accommodation and may have until the end of the school day to complete a test session. It is recommended to test students with extended time accommodations in a separate setting to minimize distractions for all students, and to schedule these students for testing in the morning so their testing time can be extended until the end of the school day, if needed.

Accommodations for English Learners (EL)Identified in Advance and

Available for the Paper-Based Field Test

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PBT Accommodations for English Learners

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Accommodation Administration

Extended Time

Student gets extended time accommodation and may have until the end of the school day to complete a test session. It is recommended to test students with extended time accommodations in a separate setting to minimize distractions for all students, and to schedule these students for testing in the morning so their testing time can be extended until the end of the school day, if needed.

General Administration Directions Clarified Native Language

Test Administrator clarifies directions in student’s native language, as requested by student.

General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated Native Language

Test Administrator reads directions aloud and repeats in student’s native language, as requested by student.

PBT Accommodations for English Learners

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Accommodation Administration

Speech-to-Text Responses Dictated in English for the Mathematics assessments in English (See GUIDANCE p.31-32)

Student must be tested individually. Student may also sign responses to an interpreter. Human scribe/interpreter scribes student responses according to the Scribe Guidelines.

Word-to-Word Dictionary (English/Native Language)

Students may use an external published word-to-word English/native language dictionary. Dictionary may not include definitions or pictures. If there is no published word-to-word dictionary available, a unique request for an electronic word-to-word dictionary can be made.

Unique and Emergency Accommodations andStudent Refusal Form

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Unique Accommodations

• For the Field Test, unique accommodations requests must be submitted to the state at least four weeks prior to testing.

• Refer to Appendix F: Unique Accommodation Request Form

• For the Field Test, unique accommodations requests will be approved by the PARCC Accessibility, Accommodations, and Fairness Operational Working Group.

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Emergency Accommodation

• An emergency accommodation is appropriate in cases where a student needs a new accommodation immediately prior to the assessment due to unforeseen circumstances. – Cases could include students who have a recently-fractured limb (e.g., arm, wrist, or

shoulder); whose only pair of eyeglasses has broken; or a student returning from a serious or prolonged illness or injury.

• If prior to or during testing, the school principal (or principal’s designee) determines that a student requires an emergency accommodation, an emergency accommodation form must be completed and submitted to the state.

• Please refer to your state point of contact for additional details.

• Refer to Appendix G: Use of an Emergency Accommodation on a PARCC Assessment

Student Accommodation Refusal

• If a student refuses an accommodation listed in his or her IEP, 504 Plan, or EL plan (if used by your state), the school should document in writing that the student refused the accommodation, and the accommodation must be offered and remain available to the student during testing.

• School test coordinators should work with test administrators to determine if anyone else should be informed when a student refuses an accommodation documented in an IEP, 504 Plan or if available an EL plan (if used by your state).

• Please refer to your state point of contact for additional details.

• Refer to Appendix H: Student Accommodation Refusal Form

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Additional Resources for PARCC Accessibility and Accommodations

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Other Accessibility Resources

• PARCC Field Test Tutorials – w/TestNav 8 accessibility features training (CLICK HERE)

• PARCC Sample Items (CLICK HERE)

• PARCC Approved Accessibility Policy Manual & Implementation Guidance• PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual• Overview website page, including implementation appendices A-K• Translation Policy Memo

• Field Test Training Module on “Accessibility Features and Accommodations with Computer-Based Testing” (CLICK HERE)

• Field Test Coordinator Manuals & Field Test Administrator Manuals for CBT and PBT (CLICK HERE)

Call Toll free: 1-888-493-9888 (7:00 am – 9:00 pm EST, Mon. –Fri.)

Email: PARCC@support.pearson.com

Online Support and Resources: http://PARCC.Pearson.com/Support

PARCC Support Contact Information

Contact PARCC Support for assistance with: navigating PearsonAccess

navigating the Training Center

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TestNav

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Thank you for your help in coordinating the PARCC Field Test!

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