Welcome! Colorado Department of Education Overview of the 2013-14 Building Bridges for the Future Colorado Accommodation Manual Part II – Assessment Accommodations Section V Policy Section VI TCAP Section VII CoAlt Here’s our new 7th Edition of the Colorado Accommodation Manual—We did a pretty complete overhaul last year, so most things are still the same. We’ll point out new features as we go along. We are still working on preparing the final copy to post, so please bear with us for a few more days. Our goal is Sept. 1!

Accessing State Assessments 11/29/2018 Accessing State Assessments Policy, TCAP and CoAlt This WebEx will cover assessment accommodations policy, accommodations for TCAP and accommodations for the CoAlt

CDE Contacts Instructional Accommodations Linda Lamirande – Exceptional Student Services Unit Lamirande_L@cde.state.co.us 303-866-6863 Accommodations for State Assessments Mira Monroe – Assessment Unit Monroe_M@cde.state.co.us 303-866-6709 For questions regarding the selection and implementation of instructional accommodations for students with disabilities, please contact Linda Lamirande, Assessment & Accommodations Senior Consultant, Exceptional Student Services Unit 303-866-6863 or email Lamirande_L@cde.state.co.us] Linda is also the contact for alternate standards and assessment eligibility, the 11th Grade Alternate for Colorado ACT and alternate standards for standards-based IEPs For questions regarding accommodations allowable for the state general and alternate assessments, please contact Mira Monroe at (303) 866-6709 or monroe_m@cde.state.co.us

Policy

There is no limit to accommodations that can be used during instruction to access content. Assessment accommodations are about accessing the assessment without changing the construct.

11/29/2018 ACCESS Noun the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something Verb to gain access to make accessible or available It is important to understand the meaning of the words, so we are clearly communicating about assessment accommodations. Assessment accommodations are about access – not receiving a better score. Educational teams must use data to determine if a student needs and accommodation to access the assessment.

CONSTRUCT What the test was built to measure. 11/29/2018 The construct refers to what is being tested. For example the mathematics assessment measure the skills contained in the state standards for mathematics.

What has changed in Policy? Side-by-Side Example Formal Educational Plan

Side-by-Side Assignment Comparison 11/29/2018 Side-by-Side Assignment Comparison If there is limited difference in score - No If the student does best on assignment one, but is able to pass assignment two (even if it is a lower score) - No If the student takes a long time on assignment two, and is able to pass it - No If the student refuses to attempt assignment - No If the student fails assignment two, or attempts and is unable to complete assignment two (extreme frustration) - Yes For many years we have been talking about using a side-by-side comparison of assignments to help determine if a student needs the accommodation on a state assessment. I have been asked several times over the last few years what this looks like, an example for Oral Scripts was added to the manual. The student is given two assignments; the first with an oral presentation and the second without. Then the assignments are compared, remembering that assessment accommodations are about accessing the test, not higher scores or student preference. Note: an Oral Script is not available on the reading test because that would invalidate the construct.

Formal Educational Plan 11/29/2018 Formal Educational Plan Based on the student’s education-related need (area of impairment), not preference Created by a team which includes at a minimum Parent/guardian Licensed educator responsible for student’s academic instruction Student Based on empirical data that has been evaluated and found to provide access to instruction and assessment Documented in formalized manner including but not limited to an IEP, a 504 plan or an ELL plan. Reviewed annually, at a minimum, and changed as appropriate to reflect current student education-related need based on up-to-date empirical data Must be signed by team members to indicate attendance and agreement A formal educational plan for may be used for documenting accommodations on the TCAP. Once state assessment accommodation decisions have been made the accommodation must be documented in a formal educational plan. For most state assessments accommodations are only available to students with an IEP, 504 plan or students identified as an English learner. These formal educational plans must meet the following requirements:

11/29/2018 Participation All students, grades 3 - 12, including students with disabilities and students identified as English Language Learners, are included in either the summative academic assessment or alternate summative academic assessment. While not new information – the next several slide will cover important policy information related to state assessments. State and Federal laws require all students participate in the summative academic assessment or the alternate summative assessment. IEP teams may determine how students participate in the assessment system.

11/29/2018 90 Days Selected accommodations must be used during instruction and on classroom and district assessments least 90 days prior to use on the assessment. During this time the accommodation must be evaluated on an ongoing basis through data documentation. The accommodation must be used routinely with sufficient frequency to ensure the student can use it with fluency and independence. It should be recognized that introducing an accommodation at the time of the assessment may actually hinder the student’s performance. While not new information – the next several slide will cover important policy information related to state assessments. Accommodations must be used during instruction for at least 90 days prior to being used on the state assessments. 90 days of routine accommodation use with sufficient frequency to gather data to evaluate the student’s need for the accommodation, and to ensure the student can use it with fluency and independence.

11/29/2018 90 Days Selected accommodations must be used during instruction and on classroom and district assessments least 90 days prior to use on the assessment. During this time the accommodation must be evaluated on an ongoing basis through data documentation. The accommodation must be used routinely with sufficient frequency to ensure the student can use it with fluency and independence. It should be recognized that introducing an accommodation at the time of the assessment may actually hinder the student’s performance. If it is not used by the student during instruction and on classroom and district assessments it is not allowed on the state assessment. While not new information – the next several slide will cover important policy information related to state assessments. Accommodations must be used during instruction for at least 90 days prior to being used on the state assessments. 90 days of routine accommodation use with sufficient frequency to gather data to evaluate the student’s need for the accommodation, and to ensure the student can use it with fluency and independence.

Post Secondary Implications 11/29/2018 Post Secondary Implications Colleges and universities typically only allow accommodations on assessments for students with an IEP or 504 plan, and may allow fewer accommodations than were available in the K-12 setting. It is important to consider the postsecondary implication of accommodations on state assessments. This may also be true for students who transition into vocational and other workplace settings. While not new information – the next several slide will cover important policy information related to state assessments. State and Federal laws require all students participate in the summative academic assessment or the alternate summative assessment. IEP teams may determine how students participate in the assessment system.

Standard Accommodations / Accessibility Features 11/29/2018 Standard Accommodations / Accessibility Features Used by any student Have been predetermined to maintain the validity, reliability, integrity and comparability of the assessment. The next few slides go over terminology needed when talking about accommodations for the state assessments. Standard Accommodations is a term most people are familiar with. As we move to computer based assessments these are referred to accessibility features. An example of a standard accommodation is extended time.

Restricted Accommodations / Accommodations 11/29/2018 Restricted Accommodations / Accommodations IEP, 504 plan, English Language Learner (ELL) provide additional support for specific areas of weakness which would make the assessment inaccessible without the additional support students must to meet specific criteria which necessitate the accommodation the criteria affirm the accommodation provides access and does not provide advantage Colorado is one of only a few states that allow accommodations for all students. Restricted Accommodations or the term accommodations in the computer-based environment are allowed only to students with an IEP, 504 plan or identified as an English Learner. Read contents of slide – and example would be an abacus for students who are blind.

Nonstandard Accommodations / Unique Accommodations 11/29/2018 Nonstandard Accommodations / Unique Accommodations IEP, 504 plan ONLY Requested for less than .01% of students taking TCAP annually Must not invalidate the construct or provide advantage. Nonstandard or unique accommodations are accommodations that are used regularly during instruction, but are available on the assessment as a standard or restricted accommodation, or a student does not meet the criteria for use of a restricted accommodation. I will talk more about nonstandard accommodations and the process later on in this training. They are available only to students with an IEP or 504 plan. Very few students have nonstandard accommodations approved The accommodation must not invalidate the construct of the assessment or provide advantage. An example of a nonstandard accommodation would be a pen to take the paper/pencil TCAP test.

TCAP

Three purposes to the TCAP : 11/29/2018 TCAP Three purposes to the TCAP : To determine the level at which Colorado students meet the Colorado Model Content Standards in the content areas assessed. To measure the progress of Colorado students over time. To add to a body of evidence to determine third grade students’ literacy levels.

What has changed on TCAP? No Science iPads

11/29/2018 No Science Science has moved to the CMAS – a computer delivered assessment given closer to the end of the academic year

11/29/2018 iPads iPads may be used for the TCAP assessments if they have iOS6 with Guided Access and all the requirements below are followed: Accessibility settings in the iOS6 have “Guided Access” turned on All work that the student has completed previously will be removed from the Pages app document Responses are moved to the teacher’s computer (or printer) through a hardwire USB connection where it can then be printed and transcribed into the student test book The iPad is secured while student answers are on the device Internet access to the device is disabled through the setting on the device or by blocking the devices IP address Previously iPads were not allowed. Now they are available under the of Assistive Technology accommodation for TCAP if they meet specific criteria. Read slide.

Presentation The act of presenting or state of being presented The manner of presenting, especially the organization of visual details to create an overall impression The method of presenting

Presentation Large Print Extra-Large Print (Order through CDE) 11/29/2018 Presentation Large Print Extra-Large Print (Order through CDE) Black & White; High Contrast (Order through CDE) Color Overlay Low-Vision Devices Teacher Read Directions (available on CTB Navigator) Oral Scripts (available on CTB Navigator) Signing Braille Read Aloud to Self Audio Amplification Text-to-Speech These are all standard and restricted accommodations on TCAP. Restricted accommodations are in blue. Each accommodation has a page in the Manual that covers it specifically. The charts in the manual indicate if there are grouping considerations needed for a specific accommodation. I will not be covering all these, but will highlight some things to remember on the next few slides.

11/29/2018 Reading To look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of something written, printed etc. To have such knowledge of a language as to be able to understand things written in it To apprehend the meaning of signs, symbols, characters, etc. Presentation Accommodations Not allowed on the Reading Test: Oral Scripts Signing Text-to-Speech These invalidate the construct. Some presentation accommodations are not allowed on Reading assessment because they invalidate the construct of the assessment.

“Teacher Read Directions” “Oral Scripts” It is important to understand the difference on these two accommodations – they are confused, but provide significantly different levels of support. Teacher read directions are available in all subject areas. Very little of the text is read to students. Oral scripts are available in writing and mathematics. All the words in the item, except content specific word that are part of the construct, are in the script. Take a moment and Look at these two accommodations. [pause] consider the differences? What types of students may need each accommodation?

“Teacher Read Directions” “Oral Scripts” Special instruction for Signing of Oral Scripts. Please note there are special instructions for signing of oral scripts.

Response An answer or reply

Response Speech-to-Text (Transcribe) Brailler (Transcribe) restricted for writing Brailler (Transcribe) Assistive Technology (Transcribe) Word Prediction (Transcribe) Talking Calculator Math Manipulatives Abacus/Tactile Math Manipulatives Scribe A scribe is only for those students who have a physical disability that impacts their writing to the degree that they are unable to write their own responses into the test booklets.

Math Manipulatives touch math dots 11/29/2018 Math Manipulatives touch math dots items to count by ones (blocks, bears, beans, etc.) positive integer number lines 1 – 100 chart Math manipulatives not listed above will need to be approved through the nonstandard accommodation process. Refer to Abacus and/or Tactile Math Manipulatives for students with a diagnosis of blindness/visual impairment. In all of these manipulatives the student does the moving, or placing of dots etc..

Scribe Scribing cannot be used to compensate for: 11/29/2018 Scribe Scribing cannot be used to compensate for: poor handwriting poor spelling difficulty with writing organization slow production lack of instruction in assistive technology use student’s resistance to performing writing tasks Consider alternatives such as special paper or assistive technology Students who use technology (word processor) to respond on a day-to-day based in the classroom and for assessments and who have the appropriate documentation on their formal educational plans should use technology in lieu of a scribe for state assessments. In all of these manipulatives the student does the moving, or placing of dots etc..

Setting The surroundings or environment The locale or period in which the action of a novel, play, film, etc. takes place

Setting Sensory Pencil Grips or Large Pencils Noise Buffers 11/29/2018 Setting Sensory Pencil Grips or Large Pencils Noise Buffers Small Group Small groups may consist of 1 – 15 students using no accommodations or the same accommodation. Be aware that small group sizes are decreasing as we move to consortia assessments.

11/29/2018 Timing The selecting of the best time or speed for doing something in order to achieve the desired or maximum result There is not a separate script.

Timing Extended Time Time of Day 11/29/2018 Timing Extended Time Time of Day Breaks: Multiple or Frequent (not stop the clock)

Nonstandard Accommodations Unique accommodations that must be applied for and approved annually by CDE Office of Standards and Assessments prior to use on statewide assessments. December 13, 2013 Accommodations Nonstandard Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Instructional Accommodations Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work. Assessment Accommodations Alex needs additional time, access to student based (one on one) paraprofessional during testing, and answer choices labeled A, B, C, D

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Colorado School District Mira Monroe Monroe_m@cde.state.co.us 303-866-6709 Student Any O 0123456789 6th ABC Middle School Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Nonstandard Accommodations Be specific Be individualized Include documentation of need – (IEP or 504) Have SASID (10-digit) Two signatures All the questions answered Nonstandard accommodations are changes to the standardized testing procedures that have not been predetermined to maintain the integrity, validity, reliability and comparability of the assessment, and must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) prior to use on statewide assessments. Standard accommodations on the state assessment should be considered prior to requesting a nonstandard accommodation. Forms are now on Navigator as word documents. This was done for several reasons: 1. DACs have more control over the process by being the source for the paperwork 2. DACs may change the district deadline to earlier, however changing the deadline date on the form does not change the state deadline. Secure information is contained in these documents, so please keep this in mind when submitting. Requests may be submitted via Fax, PDF (secure server where we go down load, or password protected pdf emailed, and password sent), or Courier Requests must be received by the deadline of December 15. This year December 15 is a Saturday. Please plan accordingly as many DACs will not be working on Saturday, nor will the CDE offices be open for delivery. Fax machines and email will still work.

Accommodation Needs Change Over Time 11/29/2018 Accommodation Needs Change Over Time Student accommodation needs typically change over time. The example here is a student that begins using a scribe, in time the student may use technology at times, and a scribe at times, eventually the student is independent in using the assistive technology.

CoAlt

CoAlt The Colorado Alternate Assessments (CoAlt) is a standards-based assessment designed specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities and is meant to provide a picture of student performance to schools, districts, educators, parents and the community. ‹#› CoAlt RWM

Participation It is important to remember that the term significant cognitive disabilities is not a category under IDEA, nor is it synonymous with the term Intellectual Disability (ID). Students must qualify to take the alternate assessment, and if they do not meet all the qualifications they must take the general assessment. http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/AssessmentDisability.asp

Provide Access and Maintain Construct What does the student need to access the assessment? What is being measured?

Accommodations for CoAlt 11/29/2018 Accommodations for CoAlt Do not Read the Reading Test Do not Translate the Reading Test Do not Write the Writing Test Do not Translate Student Answers Do not Reduce the number of answer choices If you follow these rules when considering CoAlt accommodations, most accommodations needed for student’s to access the CoAlt will be allowable.

11/29/2018 Picture Symbols The picture symbols provided in the CoAlt assessment should be used, except in the following circumstances: The student needs to use objects rather than pictures The student needs pictures of real objects rather than drawings The student has a personal lexicon with a specific representation for the concept or words in the student answer choices – in this case, all answer choices must be from the student’s personal lexicon The personal lexicon would come from a specific symbol being used during instruction for a specific concept. All of these symbols mean “girl” but the student may know one specific symbol.

11/29/2018 Picture Symbols PDF’s of student materials are available through the DAC These are secure materials should not be used to develop curriculum May be used in to help create presentation and response accommodations needed to meet student communication needs The personal lexicon would come from a specific symbol being used during instruction for a specific concept. All of these symbols mean “girl” but the student may know

11/29/2018 Questions? 52

Thank you Linda Lamirande – Instructional Accommodations 11/29/2018 Thank you Linda Lamirande – Instructional Accommodations Lamirande_L@cde.state.co.us 303-866-6863 Mira Monroe – Accommodations for Assessment monroe_m@cde.state.co.us 303-866-6709