EVOLVING ACCOMMODATIONS Mishaleen Allen Ph.D W. Blake Sammons M.Ed (SPED) EVOLVING ACCOMMODATIONS Introduction Understand The Difference Writing Toolkit Contents An action research study was conducted to determine teachers’ opinions of student’s writing accommodations used both in the classroom and on the state assessment. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) states that accommodations used on the state assessment need to abide by the following guided lines. Routinely Independently Effectively The Traditional Accommodation Think of this accommodation as a block of wood. As the student uses the accommodation he/she will improve and become more efficient. While the accommodation is beneficial to the student, eventually they will out grow the support, however the accommodation will remain the same. Steps To Analyze A Prompt Thesis Generator Scaffolding Graphic Organizers Common Misspelled Word List Sentence Starters Transition Words Editing/Revising Tips Literary Terms Electronic Dictionary The Evolving Accommodation Think of an evolving accommodation as a handful of Play-Doh. As the student begins to utilize the accommodation, the evolution of the support begins. The accommodation will grow, individualize and personalize the more the student uses it. Meet the writing toolkit, an accommodation that evolves along side with the student, and molds it’s self to the students needs. Purpose There is a continuous nation wide desire to increase the rigor, difficulty of curriculum, and content covered in state assessments. Special education students are still required to meet a standard with in the English/Language Arts setting. Success With The Toolkit Needs Assessment Statistics of Success 96.15% (25 of 26) of my SPED students who used the toolkit passed the 2014 State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Student Involvement / Enjoyment The students enjoy updating their word list and watching the toolkit grow. Student Understanding Of The Toolkit 37 teachers completed a questionnaire and the results are as follows: Special Education (SPED) students have limited accommodations available on state assessments. SPED students are not aware of their accommodations. SPED students do NOT use their accommodations independently. An electronic dictionary / spell checker would benefit a SPED student on state assessments. A common misspelled word list would be a useful tool on state assessment. Graphic organizers are a useful tool when students know how to use them. Special Thanks Thank you to all of the following: Texas A&M – San Antonio Dr. Mishalleen Allen MacArthur High School Routinely - The accommodation was used during each written composition throughout the school year. Independently – Students utilized the toolkits on their own free will. Effectively – Students understand how to use the toolkit to their benefit, both in the classroom and on the state assessment. The need for new and improved accommodations was created.