Testing Testing AccommodationsAccommodations

TCAP, EOC, Gateway, Writing AssessmentTCAP, EOC, Gateway, Writing AssessmentTCAP Test Dates: April 16-19 (Make Up April 20) TCAP Test Dates: April 16-19 (Make Up April 20)

Testing Accommodations for:Testing Accommodations for:

All StudentsAll StudentsSpecial Education OnlySpecial Education OnlyELL Population OnlyELL Population Only

ACCOMMODATIONS

Allowable and Special Accommodations

There are three types of accommodations used with the TCAP Assessments:

1. Allowable (Utilized by everyone)

2. Special (Utilized by students with IEP and 504 Plans)

3. English Language Learners (Utilized by ELL students).

Allowable and Special Accommodations All students may use Allowable

Accommodations as needed. Special Accommodations may be

used if the student meets required conditions.

Conditions are documented in the IEP or 504 Service Plan and verified according to the student’s specific impairment or through individualized assessment showing the severity of the disability.

Allowable and Special Accommodations If the required condition is not met, the

student may not use the Special Accommodation.

ELL Accommodations may be used by students who score as Limited English Proficient (LEP) on the Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment (CELLA).

Special Accommodations Special education personnel are

responsible for ensuring proper use of Special Accommodations by special education students.

Special education personnel are not responsible for overseeing Allowable Accommodations for students without IEPs.

School level 504 Coordinators are responsible for ensuring proper use of accommodations by students receiving services under Section 504.

ESL personnel are responsible for ensuring proper use of ELL Accommodations by ELL students.

Standardized Test

Any departure from standardized test procedures can potentially invalidate the test results. The test validity is seriously threatened by modifications that change the nature of the task being tested.

Use of Allowable Accommodations should be based on individual student need.

As with any accommodation, Allowable Accommodations must be used consistently by the student throughout curricular instruction during the school year.

Standardized Test

Many of the Allowable Accommodations require planning by school personnel prior to TCAP test administration.

The teacher must discuss the accommodations with the student prior to testing.

Large Print or BrailleLarge Print or Braille((Readers for illustrations and graphsReaders for illustrations and graphs

are permittedare permitted if verified Visual if verified Visual ImpairmentImpairment is documented on IEP) is documented on IEP)

TCAPTCAP – Extended Time is allowed if – Extended Time is allowed if student meets required conditions for student meets required conditions for Special Accommodation A Special Accommodation A ((documented on the IEP or 504 Service Plan)

EOCEOC – Extended Time is allowed if – Extended Time is allowed if student meets required conditions for student meets required conditions for Special Accommodation Special Accommodation

GatewayGateway – Untimed – Untimed Writing AssessmentWriting Assessment – Extended – Extended

Time is allowed if student meets Time is allowed if student meets required conditions for Special required conditions for Special Accommodation AAccommodation A

Sign Oral Instructions VerbatimSign Oral Instructions Verbatim (permitted on all tests)(permitted on all tests) Directions normally read aloud to

students may be signed verbatim for students who typically use sign language.

Only spoken portions of the directions may be signed. This includes prompts for the Writing Assessment.

The interpreter must not fingerspell words that have a commonly used sign.

Test instructions may not be clarified in any manner.

Re-read/sign Oral Re-read/sign Oral Instructions VerbatimInstructions Verbatim

Directions normally read aloud or signed to students may be re-read/signed verbatim as needed. This includes prompts for the Writing Assessment.

Permitted on all testsPermitted on all tests

Calculator /Mathematics Tables Calculator /Mathematics Tables (for items not measuring (for items not measuring computation only)computation only) Calculators and/or mathematics tables may

be used for test items that do not measure the academic skill of computation (e.g., applied concepts and algebraic problems)

Permitted on all TCAP Achievement, EOC TCAP Achievement, EOC and Gatewayand Gateway Tests. Therefore, use of calculators and/or mathematics tables on items not measuring computation is not considered a Special Accommodation.

See Test Administration Manual for selected subtests and calculator restrictions.

Flexible Setting (permitted Flexible Setting (permitted on all tests)on all tests) Students may take tests in an individual

or small group setting, seated in a designated area of the room, in a study carrel or in another classroom setting (e.g., library).

Homebound students may take the test at home or another approved location with appropriate documentation.

Note: Recommended size for small group setting is two to five (2–5) students. Small group setting should NOT exceed ten (10) students.

Flexible Setting (permitted Flexible Setting (permitted on all tests)on all tests)

Individual Small Individual Small Group Designated Part of Group Designated Part of

RoomRoom Study CarrelStudy Carrel Another ClassroomAnother Classroom Homebound/Out of SchoolHomebound/Out of School

Visual/Tactile Aids, Visual/Tactile Aids, Magnification EquipmentMagnification Equipment

Aids may include magnifying devices, use of templates to reduce the amount of visible print on a page, masks, pointers and abacus.

Permitted on all testsPermitted on all tests

Auditory AidsAuditory Aids

Auditory aids include amplification devices and devices that are used as noise buffers.

This includes white noise machines

Permitted on all tests

Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing Sessions(within school day) (within school day) TCAP tests or subtests

may be given in smaller segments adhering to the allotted time for that test/subtest as specified in the Test Administration Manual.

Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing Sessions(within school day) (within school day) Use of this

accommodation requires individual or small group setting. Breaks taken by the student during the testing period must be closely supervised.

Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing Sessions(within school day) (within school day) As an Allowable

Accommodation, “Multiple Testing Sessions” does not apply to an entire general education classroom, but may be appropriate for a few students within that class.

Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing Sessions(within school day) (within school day) Prior arrangements must be made

with the Building Level Testing Coordinator.

Questions about appropriate use of this accommodation should be directed to the System Testing Coordinator.

TCAP Achievement and EOC tests are timed and the administration must remain within the overall time allotted.

Multiple Testing SessionsMultiple Testing Sessions(within school day) (within school day) The test/subtest must be

completed within the school day. Competency and Gateway Tests

are untimed and the student may take as much time as needed within the school day to complete the test.

Permitted on all tests

Flexible SchedulingFlexible Scheduling The student may be

administered fewer Achievement subtests during a given day than the recommended system schedule.

Extended breaks between subtests may be given to the student.

Flexible SchedulingFlexible Scheduling TCAP Achievement subtests, End-

of-Course Tests, and the Writing Assessment may be given at a different time of day than the recommended assessment schedule for individual students who may perform better (e.g., medication schedule, behavioral issues) during a specific period of the day.

The test/subtest must be completed within the school day.

Permitted on all tests

Flexible SchedulingFlexible Scheduling Each test/subtest given must

be completed within the school day.

As an Allowable Accommodation, Flexible Scheduling does not apply to an entire general education classroom, but may be appropriate for a few students within that class.

Flexible SchedulingFlexible Scheduling Prior arrangements must be made

with the Building Level Testing Coordinator.

Questions about appropriate use of this accommodation should be directed to the System Testing Coordinator.

All testing must be completed within the system’s testing window.

Permitted on all tests

Scribe/Recording AnswersScribe/Recording Answers Students who cannot mark their

own answer documents may use an impartial Scribe.

A Scribe may be used to record responses or to transcribe the student’s answers from a modified answer document or test booklet.

Scribe/Recording AnswersScribe/Recording Answers Students who cannot utilize the

answer document may record directly in the test booklet or on a separate piece of paper.

This accommodation may require special return packing procedures.

Scribe/Recording AnswersScribe/Recording Answers This accommodation is

considered a Special Accommodation for the Writing Assessment, and not allowed by all students. Students must meet the required conditions for Special Accommodation prior to its use.

Scribe/Recording AnswersScribe/Recording Answers When there is a short-term situation

(e.g., broken dominant arm) where a student without an IEP or 504 Service Plan will require the use of a Scribe for the Writing Assessment, directions for Special

Accommodation must be followed for the administration of the test. In this case, the System Testing Coordinator should submit a Unique Adaptive Accommodations Request Form for review and approval.

Marking In Test Booklet: With the exception of the

Achievement Tests in grades K-3, students in grades 4-8 may mark in test booklets.

This includes highlighting or underlining words or phrases.

Careful attention must be given to ensure that students record all responses on their answer documents.

Marking In Test Booklet: Stray marks in grades K-3 test

booklets could result in inaccurate scoring. If a student in grades K-3 requires additional marking during testing, a transparent overlay may be used.

The building testing coordinator must ensure that all transparent overlays are erased after testing.

Allowable on all tests except Writing Assessment

Student Reads Aloud to SelfStudent Reads Aloud to Self

The student may read aloud the test being administered to himself/herself if in an individual setting.

Allowable on all testsAllowable on all tests

Special Special AccommodationsAccommodations

IEP and 504 PlansIEP and 504 Plans

IEP Team or Section 504 Committee

The IEP Team or Section 504 Committee can determine if a student with a disability will be administered a state-mandated test under standard conditions, be administered a state-mandated test with accommodations, or participate in alternate assessment.

IEP Team or Section 504 Committee

The decision must be documented in the current IEP or 504 Service Plan.

Each member of the Team/Committee is to have access to the accommodation information contained within this publication prior to the meeting.

IEP Team or Section 504 Committee

The IEP Team or Section 504 Committee must determine specific procedures for accommodation use to avoid any anomalies or inappropriate administrations.

IEP Team or Section 504 Committee

The Team/Committee must specify, to the greatest degree possible, information that will guide the school test coordinator and Test Administrator when providing accommodations to students.

Special Accommodations

Must be appropriate for the individual student and documented on the IEP or 504 Service Plan as a classroom accommodation that has been used consistently during the school year.

Special Accommodations

If the student has not been receiving special education or 504 services during the school year prior to the TCAP Assessment, the IEP Team or 504 Review Committee must attach documentation showing this accommodation was implemented within the regular classroom as an intervention.

Special Accommodations If an accommodation is

discussed at the IEP or 504 Service Plan meeting, but has not been used in the student’s program to the extent that the student is proficient with the accommodation, the accommodation may not be used.

Special Accommodations The student will not perform any

better on the assessment and in some cases not as well, if the student has not been using the accommodation on a consistent basis over a period of time across appropriate areas of the curriculum.

Special Accommodations The goal in using

accommodations is to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity in assessment, not to give students with disabilities an unfair advantage over other students or to subvert the purpose of the test.

Special Accommodations An accommodation based

solely on the potential to enhance the student’s performance beyond providing equal opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in content knowledge is inappropriate and can result in nullification of test scores.

Documentation of Accommodations on IEPs and 504 Service Plans (See P. 4-6)

504 Review Committees should attach to the student’s 504 Service Plan all TCAP Allowable/Special Accommodations Addenda that correspond to TCAP Assessments the student will be taking during the current school year.

Documentation of Accommodations on IEPs and 504 Service Plans (See P. 4-6)

IEP Teams must complete the State/District-Mandated Assessments section of the IEP (shown on following page) and attach the TCAP Allowable/Special Accommodations Addendum for each TCAP Assessment that will be administered to the student during the school year.

Remember…Remember…

Special Accommodations Special Accommodations must be documentedmust be documented on on the IEP or the 504 the IEP or the 504 Service Plan and used Service Plan and used consistentlyconsistently in the in the classroom. classroom.

Extended TimeExtended Time

TCAPTCAP - Extended Time limits - Extended Time limits determined by determined by IEPIEP TeamTeam or or 504 504 Review CommitteeReview Committee

EOCEOC - Extended Time limits - Extended Time limits determined by IEP Team or 504 determined by IEP Team or 504 Review CommitteeReview Committee

GatewayGateway – NOT APPLICABLE – – NOT APPLICABLE – Untimed Untimed

Writing AssessmentWriting Assessment - Extended - Extended Time limits determined by Time limits determined by IEP Team IEP Team or or 504 Review Committee504 Review Committee

Read Aloud Internal Test Read Aloud Internal Test InstructionsInstructions

TCAPTCAP 504 Service Plan – 504 Service Plan – See See Test Test

Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for allowable subtests, As indicated allowable subtests, As indicated for use on tests not measuring for use on tests not measuring reading/language arts reading/language arts

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for all all subtests, As indicated for all subtests, As indicated for all tests/subtests, including those tests/subtests, including those measuring reading language arts measuring reading language arts

Read Aloud Internal Test Read Aloud Internal Test InstructionsInstructions

EOC/Gateway EOC/Gateway 504 Service Plan – 504 Service Plan – See See Test Test

Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for allowable subtests, As indicated allowable subtests, As indicated for use on tests not measuring for use on tests not measuring reading/language arts reading/language arts

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for all all subtests, As indicated for all subtests, As indicated for all tests/subtests, including those tests/subtests, including those measuring reading language arts measuring reading language arts

Read Aloud Internal Test Read Aloud Internal Test ItemsItems

TCAPTCAP 504 Service Plan – 504 Service Plan – See See Test Test

Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for allowable subtests, As indicated allowable subtests, As indicated for use on tests not measuring for use on tests not measuring reading/language arts reading/language arts

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for all all subtests, As indicated for all subtests, As indicated for all tests/subtests, including those tests/subtests, including those measuring reading language arts measuring reading language arts

Read Aloud Internal Test Read Aloud Internal Test ItemsItems

EOC/GatewayEOC/Gateway 504 Service Plan – 504 Service Plan – See See Test Test

Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for allowable subtests, As indicated allowable subtests, As indicated for use on tests not measuring for use on tests not measuring reading/language arts reading/language arts

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for all all subtests, As indicated for all subtests, As indicated for all tests/subtests, including those tests/subtests, including those measuring reading language arts measuring reading language arts

Prompting upon RequestPrompting upon Request

TCAPTCAP 504 Service Plan504 Service Plan - See - See Test Test

Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for allowable subtests As indicated for allowable subtests As indicated for use on tests not measuring use on tests not measuring reading/language arts reading/language arts

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for all all subtests, As appropriately subtests, As appropriately indicated for all tests/subtests, indicated for all tests/subtests, including those measuring reading including those measuring reading language arts language arts

Prompting upon RequestPrompting upon Request

EOC/GatewayEOC/Gateway 504 Service Plan504 Service Plan - See - See Test Test

Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for allowable testsallowable tests

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for allall EOC and Gateway Tests, EOC and Gateway Tests, including EOC English I and including EOC English I and Gateway Language Arts Gateway Language Arts

Interpreter Signs/Cues TestInterpreter Signs/Cues Test TCAPTCAP

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for ALL ALL subtests, As indicated on subtests, As indicated on IEPIEP with verified with verified

Hearing Impairment/DeafnessHearing Impairment/Deafness EOC/GatewayEOC/Gateway

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for all all subtests, subtests, As indicated on As indicated on IEPIEP with verified with verified Hearing Hearing

Impairment/DeafnessImpairment/Deafness Writing AssessmentWriting Assessment

IEPs OnlyIEPs Only – May be used for – May be used for ALL ALL subtests, As indicated on subtests, As indicated on IEPIEP with verified with verified

Hearing Impairment/DeafnessHearing Impairment/Deafness

Student Reads into Audio Student Reads into Audio Recorder: Plays Back Recorder: Plays Back Immediately to SelfImmediately to Self

TCAP, EOC/Gateway, TCAP, EOC/Gateway, Writing AssessmentWriting AssessmentExtended Time limits Extended Time limits

determined by determined by IEP TeamIEP Team or or 504 Review Committee504 Review Committee

Calculator / Mathematics Calculator / Mathematics TablesTables

TCAPTCAP - - Allowable Allowable Accommodation but Accommodation but See Test See Test Administration Manual for Administration Manual for specified subtestsspecified subtests

EOC/GatewayEOC/Gateway - Allowable - Allowable accommodation applicable for accommodation applicable for all math tests, but see all math tests, but see Test Test Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for directions and calculator directions and calculator restrictions restrictions

ManipulativesManipulatives

TCAP, EOC/GatewayTCAP, EOC/Gateway - See - See Test Test Administration ManualAdministration Manual for for directions directions

IEP or 504 Service Plan goal in mathematics where manipulatives are consistently used

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

TCAP, EOC/Gatway, Writing TCAP, EOC/Gatway, Writing AssessmentAssessment See See Test Administration ManualTest Administration Manual for for

directions directions IEPIEP or or 504 Service Plan504 Service Plan goal where goal where

technology is used consistently technology is used consistently throughout educational program throughout educational program (grammar, spell-check, and (grammar, spell-check, and thesaurus not allowed)thesaurus not allowed)

Technology used as Technology used as accommodation is necessary for accommodation is necessary for post-school success post-school success

ScribeScribe TCAP, EOC/GatewayTCAP, EOC/Gateway

Allowable Accommodation Allowable Accommodation Writing AssessmentWriting Assessment

See See Test Administration ManualTest Administration Manual for DirectionsExtended Time for DirectionsExtended Time determined bydetermined by IEP Team IEP Team or or 504 504 Review CommitteeReview Committee

──As indicated on As indicated on IEPIEP or or 504 504 Service PlanService Plan where used where used consistently in educational consistently in educational program program or or Due to short-term Due to short-term physical disability to write physical disability to write

Unique AccommodationsUnique Accommodations

Please see Please see Unique Adaptive Unique Adaptive Accommodations Request FormAccommodations Request Form in in Appendix. Appendix.

IEPIEP or or 504 Plan504 Plan documentation of documentation of use of accommodation not indicated use of accommodation not indicated in Allowable or Special in Allowable or Special Accommodations. Accommodation Accommodations. Accommodation must be used 100% of the time in must be used 100% of the time in the needed areas and necessary for the needed areas and necessary for participation in the student’s participation in the student’s educational program educational program

Special AccommodationsSpecial Accommodations

LEP and ELL StudentsLEP and ELL Students

Extended Time - Score as limitedEnglish proficient on state approvedlanguage proficiency assessment TCAPTCAP - - Time and a half per

subtest (not including the CELLA)

EOC – Time and a half per test Gateway – not applicable –

Untimed Writing Assessment - Time

and a half

Bilingual Dictionary - Score as limited English proficient on state approved language proficiency assessment TCAP TCAP - - CELLA in place of

Language Arts, Reading, Spelling, Word Analysis and Vocabulary subtests

EOC English I - Not Allowed Gateway Language Arts - Not

Allowed Writing Assessment - Not Allowed

Read Aloud in English Internal Test Instructions

TCAPTCAP - - All subtests EOC - All tests Gateway - All tests Writing Assessment - All tests

Read Aloud in English Internal Test Items

TCAP TCAP - - CELLA in place of Language Arts, Reading, Spelling, Word Analysis and Vocabulary subtests

EOC English I - Not Allowed Gateway Language Arts - Not

Allowed Writing Assessment - All tests

CELLACELLA No Accommodations allowed *Transitional ELL students who

have tested proficient on the state mandated language proficiency assessment and are in the two required years for monitoring are not entitled to ELL accommodations and should be coded only as T1/T2 on the TCAP answer document. (Do not code as both ELL and T1/T2)

*If the student uses both ELL and Special Accommodations, Extended Time is determined by the IEP Team or 504 Review Committee.