1. STAAR, STAAR A and Accommodations 2015-2016
Brenda de la Garza
Education Specialist
Region One
School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance
Special Education Office

2. New Assessment Contracts
Educational Testing Service (ETS)
STAAR
STAAR A
STAAR L
Pearson
STAAR Alternate 2
TELPAS
TAKS

3. NO Online Testing in the Fall Paper Administration Key Considerations
Eligibility
STAAR A and STAAR L eligibility still applies
Time Limit
NO changes (extended time if student qualifies)

4. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Basics
Test administrators will need additional training
Highly recommended for test administrators to be certified personnel
There will be extra materials that will need to be handled
TEA will send 1 administrator manual per 3 students
No requirements for the ARCC to assign accommodations
Assigned the same as online version
Same answer document as STAAR, must mark test version
Extra materials- secure manual, supplemental materials including Punnett squares and writing checklist (if applicable)
Dictionary and calculator as per policy

5. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Setting
May require lower proctor student ratio( recommendation 1:5)
All accommodations must be provided
Oral component as required, embedded enhancements as requested
Cannot read the whole test to them- only as students request help
Special material control form due to secure test administration manual
You will need more test administrator than normal for STAAR A students
Students need to know about the process for getting help

6. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Instructions for Test Administrators
Test administrators who have not administered a paper version of STAAR A, must be trained according to the STAAR A Paper Administration Guide.
Because test administrators respond to student requests for reading text aloud and presenting additional accommodations, individual or small group administrations are necessary.
Students taking a paper administration of STAAR A cannot be grouped with students taking other assessments.
Students record their responses to test questions on the answer document.

7. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Instructions for Test Administrators
Section of the students paper test will have dotted underline that indicates that the test has an embedded accommodation
IF a student asks for help with an underlined item, the test administrator (TA) refers to their secure accommodation table or the pages that contain supporting images. TA will then provide the accommodation indicated on the table
Allowable accommodations will allow TA to Say, Show or Indicate to the student depending on the following
SAY neutral tone exactly as written, no paraphrasing, simplifying or shortening. May be repeated as many times as requested (note special instruction for visual impairment)
SHOW show the student an image
INDICATE in some questions that TA will need to indicate to the student information in the “most appropriate way” for that student. This may be by pointing, covering the information not indicated, or placing the student’s hand

8. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Read Aloud Support
Use either student’s booklet or TA’s copy of the booklet
The entire test is allowed to be read aloud for math, science and social studies
For reading, prereading text and test questions and answer choices
For writing, all prereading text, revising selections, revising test questions and answers, and the writing prompt (be careful that TAs do not confuse this oral component when returning to a STAAR test)

9. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Not allowed during Oral
Not allowed to read has the symbol
Reading selection
Editing selections
Editing questions and answer choices

10. STAAR A- Paper Administration
Fall EOC- Things to consider- for DTCs
You should have submitted participation counts by September 4th
If you did not, do not worry
There were some numbers entered based on previous year’s non passers
You will have a chance to order additional materials
Keep in mind materials are coming from New Jersey, so make sure you have an accurate count of what you will need (maybe 10% to 15% more- account for mobility)

11. EOC Who should test? Course completers
Including distance learning, CBE with prior instruction
Students who have not met satisfactory performance on an EOC
Unless they do not need to

12. EOC
Who may not test?
Students who earned a credit for an EOC course outside of a Texas Public High School (HB 2349)
Special education students whose ARD has decided that they have met requirements
Not “exempt”
ELL students who have utilized the English I Special Provision
Are not required to continue to take English I
Students who have met requirements on a substitute assessment
SAT
ACT
TSI
PSAT- Math Only
PLAN- Math Only

13. EOC ELL Special Provision
A provision that allows for an ELL students who is relatively new to the country and the English language to not have to meet standard on the English I EOC
To be eligible, the students must…
Be an ELL
Be in their first 3 years in US Schools
Have not yet been rated Advanced High on TELPAS Reading
You will need to make sure that your CTCs have a good communication with their LPAC chairs

14. EOC
ARD Decisions
ARD committees can decide that a student has met their assessment graduation requirements after they have participated at least once
You will need to make sure that your CTCs have a good communication system with their Special Education department

15. EOC Expires September 1, 2017 Senate Bill 149
Allows a students to graduate from a Texas Public High School even if they have not met standard on 2 or less STAAR EOC assessments
An Individual Graduation Committee (IGC) must meet to determine student eligibility
Student must meet additional requirement in courses for which they have not passed an EOC
Students must continue to attempt EOCs until they graduate
ELL students who have use English I Special Provision can only fail one additional EOC assessment
Only applies to students who are 11th or 12th graders in 14-15, or 16-17
For students who earn credit from out of state: An 11th or 12th grade transfer student is eligible to graduate based on an IGC determination if, of the assessments the student has taken, the student has failed to achieve the EOC assessment performance requirements for graduation for not more than two courses [TEC, § (a)].

16. TAKS Online only Still on TestNav with Pearson
Any students that is currently enrolled in grades 11 or 12 that will graduate under TAKS
Includes students that have not previously passed one or more Exit test required for graduation
Paper tests are available for off line sites, must be transcribed to the on-line system
TAKS ELA may NOT be administered orally

17. Reminders TAKS TAKS ELA may NOT be administered orally
Print math and science charts
Remind test administrator that they have to take the dictionary away for the ELA revising and editing section
Do not forget to mark accommodations as needed

18. accommodations

19. Accommodations Changes
No policy changes to allowable accommodations (just clarifications)
Added Algebra II and English III where applicable
Online Accommodations Request Form for Type 2 Accommodations can be submitted starting in January 2016

20. Type 1 Accommodations Individualized Calculation Devices
Structured Reminders
Basic Transcribing
Amplification Devices
Supplemental Aids
Projection Devices
Extra Time (Same Day)
Manipulating Test Materials
Large Print
Oral/Signed Administration
Dictionary
Spelling Assistance
Braille
Mathematics Manipulatives

21. Oral Administration STAAR Algebra II and English III were added.
In the “Assessments” section, edits were made to clarify what could and could not be read aloud during an oral administration.
All mention of STAAR A was removed except for a note explaining that an oral administration was not applicable to STAAR A. Oral administration eligibility for STAAR A should NOT be determined or documented.
In the “Authority for Decision and Required Documentation” section, a minor edit was made to account for the fact that the OA bubble is not on a writing answer document. Eligibility for an oral administration may be determined for these assessments; however, if a student is eligible, this accommodation will not be recorded on the answer document

22. Mathematics manipulatives
STAAR Algebra II was added.
The format of the “Student Eligibility Criteria” was changed for clarification; however, the policy is the same as the previous year.
In the “Examples/Types” section, the use of clocks was restricted to the following: “clock with or without numbers shown on clock face; the clock should NOT have gears”(meaning the clock should have independently moving hour and minute hands)

23. Calculation devices STAAR Algebra II was added.
Calculators used by eligible students as a testing accommodation must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the STAAR Calculator Policy.
Please note that the STAAR Calculator Policy was revised and posted on TEA’s STAAR Mathematics Resources webpage. The guidelines set forth in this updated policy also apply to calculator use as an accommodation.

24. Supplemental aids
The format of the “Student Eligibility Criteria” was changed for clarification; however, the policy is the same as the previous year.
The following change was made to the #2 example of allowable math charts: Multiplication charts that are grade appropriate may be used. The multiplication chart must be a grid used to find the product, not a list of multiplication facts. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling perfect squares within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed.
Deleted from previous policy: Each axis may only be numbered 0 through 12.
The following change was made to the #3 example of allowable math charts: A number chart (e.g., 100 chart) may be used. Indicating special numbers (e.g., highlighting or circling prime numbers within the body of the chart) is NOT allowed.
Previous language restricted this type of supplemental aid to 100 charts.

25. Overview of Changes for the 2015-2016 School Year
In May 2016, STAAR Algebra II and English III assessments will be available for districts to administer on an optional basis as postsecondary readiness measures. 
Cannot be used for class grades, class rank, accountability, or teacher evaluation
TEC stipulates that students can use their scores on STAAR Algebra II and English III to meet the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) testing requirement.
Districts that elect to offer either STAAR Algebra II or English III or both assessments must administer the tests to all students in the district who are enrolled in these courses.
All 2015 STAAR released tests except 3–8 mathematics have been posted on the student assessment website. A partial release of grades 3–8 mathematics questions, including grades 3–5 Spanish, has also been released.
In August 2016, TEA will release the primary form of all 2016 STAAR general assessments, including braille versions of the assessments, as well as STAAR Spanish, STAAR L, STAAR A, and STAAR Alternate 2. All released tests will be posted on TEA’s Student Assessment Division website. 

26. Overview of Changes for the 2015-2016 School Year
The Student Success Initiative (SSI) grade-advancement requirements are being reinstituted for mathematics in the 2015–2016 school year.
Calculators are required for the following STAAR assessments: grade 8 mathematics, Algebra I, Algebra II, and biology. Beginning in the 2015– school year, the calculator policy for these assessments is expanding.
Districts can now satisfy the calculator requirements by providing students with either a handheld calculator or a calculator application available on a tablet. 

27. Legal updates
Senate Bill 149
House Bill 743
House Bill 2349

28. Senate Bill 149 Expires September 1, 2017 Senate Bill 149
Allows a students to graduate from a Texas Public High School even if they have not met standard on 2 or less STAAR EOC assessments
An Individual Graduation Committee (IGC) must meet to determine student eligibility
Student must meet additional requirement in courses for which they have not passed an EOC
Students must continue to attempt EOCs until they graduate
ELL students who have use English I Special Provision can only fail one additional EOC assessment
Only applies to students who are 11th or 12th graders in 14-15, or 16-17
Expires September 1, 2017

29. Implications of House Bill 743
85% of students completing assessments within designated time frame
TEA will redesign the STAAR grades 4 and 7 writing tests so they will be completed in one four-hour administration
Spring 2016
Redesigned writing assessments will be administered
Four hours for grades 4 and 7 writing
TEA will gather data during the spring 2016 administrations to determine how to adjust the remaining grades 3–8 assessments to meet the testing time requirements of HB 743
Spring 2017
Redesigned grades 3-8 assessments will be administered
Two hours for grades 3-5
Three hours for grades 6-8

30. STAAR Writing

31. House bill 2349
House Bill 2349 requires a school district or charter school that administers a STAAR test to report to the agency whether an assessed student transferred into the school or district from out of state during the current school year. Procedures describing the method by which districts and schools will report out-of-state transfer students to the agency are being established by TEA and will be communicated to the field in the appropriate test administration materials. The assessment results of out-of-state transfer students will be reported separately from the results of a district’s or school’s other students. 
House Bill 2349 also revised the state’s assessment requirements that students must meet to be eligible to receive a Texas diploma. Effective with the 2015–2016 school year, a student who earned high school credit for a course for which there is an EOC assessment prior to enrollment in a Texas public school and the credit has been accepted by a Texas public school or who had completed a course for high school credit in a course for which there is an EOC assessment prior to the 2011–2012 spring administration, is not required to take that EOC in order to receive a Texas diploma. Prior to HB 2349, a student on the foundation program was required to take and pass all five EOC assessments in order to receive a Texas diploma regardless of course enrollment. 

32. Changes in State Assessment calendar
Updates to the 2015–2016 testing calendar include the following:
The report date for the 2016 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) grades 4 and 7 writing assessments has changed. Districts will receive standard and optional reports for STAAR grades 4 and 7 writing by June 15, 2016.
The 2016 STAAR Alternate 2 testing window has been extended. The STAAR Alternate 2 grades 3–8 and end-of-course (EOC) testing window is scheduled for April 4–22, Districts will receive standard and optional reports for STAAR Alternate 2 grades 3–8 and EOC by May 18, 2016.
Report dates have been set for the STAAR English III and Algebra II assessments, scheduled to be administered on a voluntary basis on May 10 and May 11, Districts will receive standard and optional reports for STAAR Algebra II by June 30, 2016, and English III by August 19, These reports will be available online only.
***Assessment calendar has been updated due to the changes to the STAAR

33. Special Education Program (956)984-6202
Contact
Brenda De La Garza, Education Specialist Office of School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance
Special Education Program (956)
(956)