Statewide Assessments (FCAT/FCAT 2.0/EOC) and Students with Visual Impairments Suzanne A. Dalton, Supervisor December 2011/Working with the Experts/Daytona Beach Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI) 4210 W. Bay Villa Avenue Tampa, FL (813) ; (800) ; (813) fax

Student success in testing situations is based upon working together!!!

Statewide Assessments … from my view Just a reminder that all FCAT 2.0 and EOC test items are based on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. To review the Standards, see FDOE website at:

Braille Versions of Assessments A team, which includes the braille vendor, a blind mathematician and two certified teachers of the visually impaired, evaluates the individual test items that are to be included in each subject area at every grade level for the current school year.

Braille Assessments, cont. Potential problematic graphics, items which require slight alterations that do not significantly change the intent of the skills assessed, test items which require picture descriptions, etc., are reported to FDOE. Subject area specialists at the FDOE Test Development Center review/approve all suggested changes.

Braille Assessments A braille vendor from Texas produces the assessments using only Library of Congress- certified braille transcribers/proofreaders. FDOE requires that all tactile graphics are hand-drawn. The braille vendor then conducts its own proofreading of the assessments. In addition, FDOE requires an independent third- party proofreading of the contracted and uncontracted versions of all grade level/subject area assessments.

Braille Assessments, cont. Finally, blind professionals, with the assistance of individuals hired to hand-write answers, transcribe the students’ individual responses from the braille tests into print for later scoring by the Test Contractor (Pearson). This ensures that test scorers have no knowledge as to which students used braille, which students used large print or which students used regular print.

What TVIs Need to Know Get to know your School Assessment Coordinator and your District Assessment Coordinator and invite yourself to the School FCAT/FCAT 2.0/EOC Trainings. Schedule a quiet place to test your student. Note that our students may need more rest breaks (follow directions in Scripts and provide allowable accommodations as needed).

What TVIs Need to Know Spend time teaching students “test-taking tricks” such as folding pages or using Wikki- Stixs so they can quickly identify places within the test where they can return to review answers to difficult questions. This encourages students to continue progressing through the test rather than spending too much time on one item. What “test-taking tricks” have you used with your students?

What TVIs Need to Know Test Administration Manual Carefully read the Special Documents sections for Large Print and Braille Test Administrator Responsibilities. (The instructions for Test Administrators have been reorganized into separate Large Print and Braille sections.) Ensure that a supply approved four-function calculators (formerly known as FCAT calculators), including approved large key/large display and talking calculators, is available PRIOR to the test administrations as these are not packed in the box with the tests. Approved scientific calculators including large key/large display and talking versions, will be needed for the Geometry EOC Assessment.

Calculators used in Assessments “Regular” Four-Function Calculators are needed because … Some of the Talking Calculators do not have a key for finding the square root of a number AND do not have a Change-Sign (+/-) Key.

Calculators, cont. Prior to the beginning of testing, inform all students using the talking calculators that they can request the use of a “regular” four-function calculator for finding the square root of a number if their talking calculator does not have the square root key or they need to perform an operation with the Change-Sign Key (+/-) involving negative numbers. The student must tell TVIs what keys to press and then you may read the display to the student. TVIs may only perform actions authorized by the student.

Grade Levels/Subject Areas When Calculators Are Used Approved “regular” Four-Function Calculator, Approved Talking Four-Function Calculator, and Approved Large Key/Large Display Four-Function Calculator –Grades 7-8, Retake (Math); –EOCs (Algebra 1, Biology 1); –Grades 8 (Science)

Calculators All of the calculators referenced on the previous page are provided to the districts by FDOE. Note: These calculators are NOT packaged with the tests so contact your District Assessment Coordinator prior to the test administration!

New Calculators Scientific Calculators –Will be used for the Geometry End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment - The Orion TI-36X is the approved talking scientific talking calculator. (FDOE does NOT provide these to the districts; search online for available vendors; price varies around $250.) –Algebra 1 and Biology 1 EOC Assessments still require the use of the four-function talking calculator.

What TVIs Need to Know Mathematics Reference Sheets – Grades 5-8, Retake, Algebra 1, and Geometry EOC Periodic Table of Elements – Grade 8; Biology 1 EOC Braille Rulers – Grades 3 and 4 Mathematics (Session 2 only)

What TVIs Need to Know Graphic Aid for Mathematics, Geoboard, and Abacus - may be used at all grade levels. These devices are approved substitutes for paper and pencil computation. Manipulatives may be used at specified grade levels (which may vary each year) for specific items. District Assessment Coordinators will be notified by FDOE.

Coins Coins – BL/VI students are allowed to use real coins during math assessments as determined by the IEP Team. Coins are NOT to be used as manipulatives for counting. They are ONLY to be used to access the print representation of the coin such as feeling the ridges of dime/quarter or to compare size of nickel vs. penny.

New in 2012 Student Pledge –Students taking paper-based tests are required to read and sign a pledge on the inside front cover of each test document. –For braille tests, the student pledge is provided as a separate Student Pledge Sheet. Students must braille their initials or sign the Student Pledge Sheet. –Braille Student Pledge Sheets must be returned with the students’ braille test materials.

Breaking News for 2012 …Braille All FCAT/FCAT 2.0/EOC in braille will be divided into two (2) volumes for 2012! When there is more than one session in the test, the volume one will end at the conclusion of session one. When there is only one session in the test, the volumes will be split at a logical place. This split will occur at the same place in both the contracted and uncontracted versions.

Breaking News for 2012 … Large Print For mandatory computer-based test administrations (Grades 6 and 10 FCAT 2.0 Reading, FCAT 2.0 Reading Retake, FCAT Mathematics Retake, and all EOC Assessments), paper-based large print materials will no longer be produced. The large print accommodation will be provided via the TestHear accommodated CBT forms.

2012 Formats Available (see handout of this slide) 2012 TestsSample Tests:Tests: Hard Copy LP Available?Tests: Hard Copy FormatReading MathScienceSStudiesBraille Available? End-of-Course Exams (EOCs) Algebra 1 WinterePatsComputerYes Algebra 1 SpringePatsComputerYes GeometryePatsComputerYes BiologyePatsComputerYes US HistoryePatsComputerYes Spring FCATs (HCLP=Hard Copy Large Print) Grade 3HCLPHCLPHCLPYes Grade 4HCLPHCLPHCLPYes Grade 5HCLPHCLPHCLPHCLPYes Grade 6BothComputerHCLPYes (depending on subject area) Grade 7HCLPHCLPHCLPYes Grade 8HCLPHCLPHCLPHCLPYes Grade 9HCLPHCLPN/A Yes (take Algebra or Geometry EOC) Grade 10ePatsComputerN/AYes (take Algebra or Geometry EOC) RetakesePatsComputerComputerYes (both FCAT Reading and FCAT 2.0 Reading) Grade 11N/A (take Biology EOC)

What TVIs Need to Know Large Print Test Administration –Students are required to grid bubbles for multiple-choice answers in large print test documents that contain answer choice bubbles. In large print documents that do not contain answer choice bubbles, students are required to circle answers for multiple-choice items. (See large print sample test materials for formats at each grade/subject.) –For gridded-response items, responses must be written legibly in the answer boxes and the decimal point or fraction bar gridded if it is part of the answer. –If students cannot grid bubbles, circle answers, or write clearly in gridded-response answer boxes, flexible responding accommodations should be provided as necessary (i.e., record responses for the student). –Important: Responses that are not indicated clearly or correctly will not be scored.

Example of Large Print Response Grid Responses must be written legibly with only one digit or symbol in each answer box. Bubbles for any symbol used should also be gridded. Valid digits: 0-9 Valid symbols: decimal can be used in any column; fraction bar can only be used in middle three columns Math Retake Regular Print Grid Math Retake Large Print Grid LP Response Grid Instructions provide specific requirements for each grid type.

Samples of Illegible LP Grid Responses

Preparing Regular Print Answer Document Now required for both Braille and Large Print! If the student has a preidentified regular print answer document, it may be used after its accuracy is verified. If the student has a label, it may be affixed to an appropriate non-preidentified regular print answer document. If the student does not have a label or a preidentified regular print answer document, the student grid sheet of an appropriate regular print answer document must be gridded by hand. Complete all applicable categories especially the Primary Exceptionality (VI), and ESE/504 Accommodation Types.

What TVIs Need to Know Multiple “Forms” of the assessments are printed at each grade level for all subject areas. Only the first answer document in each series (Answer Book AA, Answer Book A or Form 1) should be used when recording student answers. (The next slide will distinguish between recording and transcribing.) The correct form of the answer document is included in each student’s test materials kit (braille and large print.) Check for accuracy because the Student PreID label may have been printed/placed on an Answer Book that is not identified as AA, A or Form 1.

What TVIs Need to Know Large Print Scripts Before administering the FCAT/FCAT 2.0/EOC to students using large print materials, modify the Scripts that are included within the Test Administration Manual. Modifications may change year-to-year, but may include adjustments such as: removing all references to students breaking seals on their test materials; replacing “test book” or “answer book” with “test and answer book”; ignoring the “Directions for Completing the Response Grid” and omitting directions for removing the perforated reference sheets. See your 2012 Test Administration Manuals for specifics!

What TVIs Need to Know Braille Scripts The Braille Scripts AND the Braille Notes are provided separately with the test materials. It is advantageous to the student if the TVI can read through the Braille Scripts and the Braille Notes prior to administering the FCAT/FCAT 2.0/EOC Assessment. This will allow the TVI to use the information contained in them during the test administration, as appropriate.

What TVIs Need to Know Transcription of Student Responses TVIs MAY NOT TRANSCRIBE student responses; however, TVIs may RECORD responses that a student prepares using a Graphic Aid for Mathematics, manipulatives, or real coins. Please remember that RECORDING responses is not the same as TRANSCRIBING responses.

What TVIs Need to Know LP and BRL documents containing the original student responses, along with the prepared regular print answer document, should be sent back in the large Special Document Return Envelopes. Complete the front of the Return Envelope according to the instructions on the envelope. Do not place more than one student’s test materials in the same envelope. Return all materials to the school assessment coordinator.

FCAT Released Tests in Print Print versions of the FCAT Released Test Book and/or the FCAT Released Test Book with Answers can be downloaded from the Florida Department of Education website at As needed, these tests can be enlarged onto 11” x 17” paper for students using large print in the instructional and testing setting.

Released Tests in Braille During school year, the following FCAT Released Test Book and a separate Released Test Answer Key are available in braille: Grades 3-10 (Reading and Math), Grade 8 (Science). It should be noted that there is no combination book of Released Test Book with Answers in Braille like there is in print, only a book of released test items and a book of answers.

Released Tests in Braille All FCAT Released Test Books and their separate Released Test Answer Keys may only be ordered from FIMC-VI by the District Assessment Coordinators via or fax. For an electronic version of the order form for FCAT Released Tests, ask the District Assessment Coordinators to contact Kathee Cagle at FCAT Released Tests do not need to be returned to FIMC-VI.

FCAT Communication Chain Tin cans as a communication method are NOT recommended! School DOE District

FCAT/FCAT 2.0/EOC Problems: Who Are You Going to Call or ? TVIs should contact their School Assessment Coordinator; Who will contact their District Assessment Coordinator; Who will contact their FDOE (as appropriate)

Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening and the lightening bug.”