DCAS Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Training Webinar August 2010 Helen Dennis & Brian Touchette

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Agenda DOE supports (SwD and ELL) IEP Revisions and ELL Exemptions Standard and Non-Standard Review DCAS Accommodation Management

Support from DDOE Guidelines for Inclusion … Memos: Standard and Non-Standard (June 2010) Accommodations Roll-up – Students with Disabilities (July 2010) Accommodations Roll-up – ELL (June 2010) Webinars Guidelines for Inclusion (SwD and ELL) Changes to Guidelines for Inclusion … IEP/504/ELL decision making process How to interact with DCAS delivery system DCAS-A system Two live sessions (one for SwD and one for ELL) to answer questions – session will be recorded

Discontinued Accommodations

Discontinued Accommodations: Universal Design Testing over multiple sessions (#401): this is now permitted for all students, so this accommodation is not needed. Calculator on non-calculator sessions (#212): all students (grades 3-10) are permitted to use a calculator on all portions of the math DCAS, so this accommodation is not needed. Grade 2 students do not need a calculator.

Discontinued Accommodations: Writing Test Only 201: student uses an audio recorder as an organizational or prewriting tool 202: student who is deaf records a videotape as an organizational or prewriting tool 203: Teacher may be used as a resource for spelling whenever dictionary or thesaurus use is permitted

Discontinued Accommodations: Not Yet Available for Online DCAS 204: For written responses, use of word prediction software and/or word prediction feature in combination with word processing. 205: For written responses, using spell check feature in combination with word processing. 206: For written responses, using grammar check feature in combination with word processing. 207: For written responses, using outlining feature in combination with word processing. 208: For written responses, using auditory feedback/text-to- speech software and/or auditory feedback/text-to-speech features in combination with word processing. Not needed for paper-and-pencil as it is multiple-choice only

Accommodations Rolled Over to a New Number

Accommodations Recoded to New Numbers The IEP/504 team will not need to meet unless it is determined that the student needs an available accommodation that was not previously chosen by these teams. 105: recoded to 106: If students had a human reader for test questions in the school year, they were re-coded to 106 for the school year: text-to-speech (computer reader). 117 recoded to 119: If students had a human reader for reading passages in the school year, they were re-coded to 119 for the school year: text-to-speech (computer reader). If the it is determined that human reader is more appropriate, they may change it back to human reader.

Previously Existing Accommodations Through Technology

Technology Features for SWDs Text-to-Speech Feature (106 and 119) Was available in DSTP (Kurzweil) Text-to-Speech is a feature that allows the computerized test to read itself aloud to the student. It allows students to access the read aloud the questions accommodation (#106) and the read aloud the passages accommodation (#119). Headphones are required if student is in room with other students. NOTE: Changes to reading speed and voice must take place in the Microsoft control panel prior to opening the DCAS secure browser.

Technology Features for SWDs Screen and Print Color and Contrast (#116) This feature allows students to choose a background color other than white. When student logs in, if they prefer one of the other schemes, they must tell the TA, who will make the switch. Students cannot change the color scheme without the TAs assistance. This feature is available to all students (universal design feature). One need not have the accommodation, but you may choose it to make sure student receives the accommodation.

Technology Features for SWDs There are various ways to accommodate students with visual impairments. 1.Braille test 2.Online zoom feature 3.If the zoom feature is not adequate for a students visual needs, there are other ways to enlarge the test further: a) Project the test onto a wall (individual administration recommended) b) Run ZoomText software on the students workstation c) Use a very large computer screen d) Adjust the resolution of the screen e) Print each question/passage from the online adaptive test and then view it in a visual magnification device f) Order a print version of the test and view it in a visual magnification device

New Accommodations

New Accommodations for SWDs Print On Demand Feature This feature allows students to print out test questions (accom # 121) or reading passages (accom #122) as they take the test, one by one. The student requests the page to be printed, and the test administrator (TA) approves each print request. For students who have difficulty scrolling, or have problems viewing the screen, this accommodation may be helpful. A high-speed printer is suggested if using this accommodation.

New Accommodations for SWDs Physical Assistance with the Online Test An accommodation has been added that allows an adult to manipulate the mouse for the student who has physical assistance needs, as instructed by the student (#214).

New Accommodations for SWDs Finger-Spelling for Students Taking test in American Sign Language Accommodation #120 allows the test administrator to act as an "ASL to English" dictionary for the student, finger-spelling words for students, upon request, when responding to short answer questions. (incorrectly listed under Presentation instead of response accommodations in GFI) Test administrator must not sign in such a way as to "clue" or give away the answer to a question. This is not a way to provide dictionary for unknown words in the passage or test question; it is a way to provide student with the spelling of the word associated with a particular sign.

New Accommodations for SWDs Paper and Pencil Version Accommodation 123 provides for a separate paper and pencil version of the DCAS. The test is fixed-form (not adaptive) and multiple-choice only. It is offered for a two-week window once during each of the testing windows. English only. It is anticipated that very few students will require this accommodation. Tests will be shipped to AIR after testing is complete and scores will be made available in the score reporting system.

IEP revisions

When are revisions needed? Is revision needed? Accommodation rolled over to the same number No Discontinued accommodationNo Accommodation rolled over to a new numberNo Student had human reader and accom. was rolled up to text-to-speech and decision was made to move student back to human reader No New accommodation student did not previously have Yes Student will be assessed with Paper-and- Pencil option Yes

Revisions to IEPs Revision Meeting Proper 10 day invitation to meeting Parent may attend through alternate means (DE Code ) – video or phone conference IEP team Members may be excused from meeting IF parent agrees in writing (DE Code ) Revision without IEP Meeting If parent and LEA agree not to convene a meeting (DE Code ) Prior Written Notice must be given to Parent and entire IEP team must be aware of changes regardless of type of revision that is made

Specific accommodation considerations

Arithmetic Tables Examples of acceptable arithmetic tables for use with accommodation 115 have been provided in Appendix E. Example: Addition Table

Standard and Non-Standard Accommodations Review

Standard and Non-Standard Accommodations Previously known as Parameters on UseExamples Standard AccomAggregableNo restrictionsEnhanced lighting, large print, reading the test questions Non-Standard Accom Non- aggregable There are restrictions on who is eligible for this accommodation Reading aloud the reading passages

Accountability New Policy Students who use Non-Standard accommodations Will count as non-participants in AYP calculations of participation Will be excluded from AYP calculations of proficiency (% meets the standard) AYP ConsequencesExamples Standard Accom Counts for participation Counts for proficiency Enhanced lighting, large print, reading aloud the test questions Non-Standard Accom Counts as non-participant Excluded from proficiency Reading aloud the reading passages

Accountability Contd ELA ProficiencyELA ParticipationMath Proficiency Math Participation AllExcludedNon-ParticipantIncludedParticipant Afr. Amer Amer. Indian Asian/Pac Isl. WhiteExcludedNon-ParticipantIncludedParticipant Hispanic ELL Spec EdExcludedNon-ParticipantIncludedParticipant Low IncomeExcludedNon-ParticipantIncludedParticipant Example: Student is white, low income, and spec ed and has the reading passages read to him/her

DCAS Accommodations Management

Accommodations and the Online Test Delivery System NO LOCKDOWN of DCAS-Accommodations database There will be no lockdown period for DCAS-A database. Please enter accommodations at least 72 hours before the students scheduled testing time. If you enter accommodations less than 72 hours before the students scheduled testing time, the updated accommodations will not appear on the TAs screen and any accommodations that must be delivered by the delivery system will not be available to the student DOE will send accommodations data electronically to the testing contractor daily.

Accommodations Screen in Test Delivery System The test administrator has access to a read-only screen that shows which students have accommodations, and which accommodations each student is to receive. Test administrators will NOT be able to modify the test accommodations displayed in the test delivery system screen. It is a good idea to also have a print-out from the DCAS Accommodations database at testing time.

Two Categories of Accommodations There are two categories of accommodations: Accommodations that must be delivered by the online system. For example: text-to-speech and Spanish-English side by side. Accommodations that are provided by the school. For example: translator, enhanced lighting, or preferential seating.

What if the online test delivery system does not deliver the accommodations that were expected? If the online system does not deliver an expected accommodation in the first category, accoms that must be delivered by online system, i.e. text-to-speech, students test will have to be rescheduled. students record in the DCAS Accommodations database must be updated 2-3 days must pass before the test delivery system will be updated and able to deliver the updated accommodations. If the incorrect or missing accommodation falls into the second category, accommodations that are provided by the school, then staff may proceed with the test, providing the correct accommodations. As soon as possible, the DCAS Accommodations database must be updated to reflect the test accommodations actually delivered

High School End of Course Field Test Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in the following courses will need to have accommodations entered in DCAS-A: English II Biology U.S. History Algebra I Integrated Math I

DAPA Participation Guidelines Some wording changes were made to the DAPA Participation Guidelines – criteria #3 (Curricular Outcomes) The second sentence was added to criteria #3: The student requires extensively modified instruction focusing on a less complex application of skills in order to access the Delaware Content Standards. Due to this change in complexity, the student would not be able to complete all graduation requirements and will graduate with a Certificate of Completion.

Unique Accommodations Continue to use the Online System for Incidents and Exemptions and Unique Accommodations to submit Unique Accommodation requests Must be submitted to DOE online no later than 30 days prior to the date on which the student is scheduled to be tested.

Practice and Training Test Will the accommodations be available on the practice and training test? Yes