1. ARD Committee Training for the 2015-16 Texas Assessment Program Presented by ESC Region 11 Fort Worth, Texas Updated 11/4/15

2. What should an Admission, Review & Dismissal (ARD) committee know prior to making an assessment decision for a student? ARD committees must understand: What state assessments are required and available Assessed TEKS and/or ELPS Participation requirements for specific assessments Design and format of each state assessment Accommodation policies for the STAAR® programs *Adapted from ARDC training 2013-2014.

3. What should an ARD committee consider first when making assessment decisions? Participation in the general assessment should be the first consideration when determining the appropriate assessment for a student receiving special education services. General assessment = STAAR® Most students receiving special education services in Texas are assessed with the general assessment, with or without accommodations. Students should be challenged with the most rigorous assessment possible. *Adapted from ARDC training 2013-2014.

4. The First Consideration = The General Assessment ARD committees must determine whether the general assessment is the most appropriate by: Reviewing the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) The PLAAFP should provide the committee members with a clear understanding of the student’s performance in the grade- level/course TEKS, including strengths, current areas of need, and accommodations, modifications, or supports used. *Adapted from ARDC training 2013-2014.

5. The First Consideration = The General Assessment ARD committees must determine whether the general assessment is the most appropriate by: Reviewing the student’s instructional plan This is the basis for making appropriate assessment decisions. The ARD committee must have a clear understanding of how the student will access the grade-level/course curriculum, including accommodations, modifications, or supports needed. *Adapted from ARDC training 2013-2014.

6. What should be documented in the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) when considering the general assessment? If STAAR®, with or without accommodations, is appropriate for a student, the ARD committee must document this decision and the testing accommodations the student will receive. Documented testing accommodations must be consistent with state accommodation policies. It is important to note that there are different accommodation policies for the STAAR® programs Refer to the Accommodations Resources webpage http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/accommodations/ http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/accommodations/ For accommodations that require TEA approval through submission of an Accommodation Request Form*, document “pending TEA approval.” *Adapted from ARDC training 2013-2014.

7. School Success Initiative (SSI): 2015-16 School Year Grades 5 & 8 Mathematics will be included in SSI during the 2015-16 school year. For more information: http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/ssi/ *SSI Manual is typically updated in February each year. ***Retest decisions should only be made after results are received.

8. Allowable Accommodations The decision to use an accommodation during a state assessment is made on an individual student basis and considers the needs of the student and whether the student routinely receives the accommodation during classroom instruction and testing. STAAR®, with or without allowable or approved accommodations, should be the first consideration. *Adapted from ARDC training 2013-2014.

9. Critical Information about Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Educators should review this document on TEA’s Accommodations for Students with Disabilities webpage General information about accommodations Accommodations during classroom instruction and testing Accommodations during state assessments o Not all accommodations suitable for instruction are allowed during the state assessments o Routinely, independently, and effectively The Accommodation Triangle Planning for testing accommodations 9

10. What is meant by routinely, independently and effectively used accommodations? What does “routinely used” mean: The student should routinely receive the accommodation during classroom instruction and testing. The student has used the accommodation often enough that he or she is comfortable using it on the day of the state assessment. This does not necessarily mean that the accommodation must be used every day during instruction. Independent use of accommodations: The student should be able to use the accommodation independently, when applicable, during the state assessment. For accommodations where independence is applicable, there should be no need for teacher assistance when using the accommodation. How do I know the accommodation has proven effective in meeting the student’s specific needs? Educators should collect and analyze data pertaining to the use and effectiveness of accommodations (e.g., assignment/test scores with and without the accommodation, observational reports). This data will show whether the student still needs the accommodation or whether it is now unnecessary. 2014-2015 Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division 10 2014-2015 Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division

11. Type 1 Type 2 Type 1 accommodations are approved locally based on specific eligibility criteria. The decision to provide these accommodations is made by the appropriate team of people at the campus level. Type 2 accommodations require TEA approval to use during a state assessment. The appropriate team of people at the campus level determines whether the student meets all of the specific eligibility criteria and, if so, submits an Accommodation Request Form to TEA. Accommodation Triangle

12. Online Accommodation Request Form Requests approved during the 2015 calendar year remain effective until December 31, 2015. Only submit additional requests for new Type 2 accommodations (e.g., new student, change in accommodation). Requests for the 2016 calendar year can be submitted beginning in January, and all approvals remain effective until December 31, 2016.

13. Using Accommodations on State Assessment http://tea.texas.gov/Student_Testing_and_Accountability/Testing/Student_Assessment_Overview/Accommodation_Resources/2016_Ac commodations_for_Students_with_Disabilities_Taking_State_Assessments/

14. Individualized Structured Reminders Amplification Devices Projection Devices Manipulating Materials Oral/Signed Administration Spelling Assistance Math Manipulatives Calculation Devices Basic Transcribing Supplemental Aids Extra Time Large Print Dictionary Braille Complex Transcribing Math Scribe Photocopying Extra Day Other In the case of an ELL with a disability, the decision should be made by the applicable group (RtI Committee, 504 Committee, ARD Committee) in conjunction with the student’s LPAC. *ARF – Accommodation Request Form Until Type 2 accommodations are approved by TEA, all paperwork should read “pending TEA approval.” RtI, 504, Special Education 504 or Special Education Special Education Be sure to check the eligibility criteria as well as the assessments on which the accommodation(s) may be used. PDFs of each accommodation can be found on TEA’s website or by clicking here.here 2016 Assessment Cycle STAAR Accommodations Type 2 – ARF* Required Type 1 – Local Decision Created by Erin Kelts

15. Accommodation typeThis section provides a general description of the accommodation. This section lists the assessments the accommodation may be used on by eligible students. This section lists the eligibility criteria that must be met in order for the student to use the accommodation on a state assessment. This section describes who can make accommodation decisions for the student, where to document these decisions, and what to record on the answer document. This icon indicates whether or not an Accomm. Request Form is required. This section describes the specific examples/types of the accommodation that may be used on the state assessment. Pay careful attention to this list because it is sometimes exhaustive. This section outlines special instructions and considerations about the accommodation that educators must be aware of when making the decisions to use the accommodation and when administering the assessment with the accommodation. From TEA Accommodations Training

16. Pay attention that there may be multiple eligibly criteria (In this case, 3 criteria; meets at least one of the following) Key words: inclusive, meets all, meets at least, and, etc.

17. Accommodation Request Process for Type 2 Accommodations 2015-16 UPDATE COMING SOON http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/accommodations/

18. Using Accommodations on State Assessment If you are recommending accommodations for students to use on state assessment, be prepared to show data, documentation, work samples and justification as to why a student should use the accommodation. As well, it must be properly documented in their IEP, 504 plan, LEP documentation, etc.

19. Standardized Oral Administration (SOA) for the STAAR® TEA is offering Standardized Oral Administration for the STAAR® program as an online option for oral administration. The option is available statewide to eligible students in the following grades and subjects: grade 4 reading and mathematics (English only) grade 5 science (English only) grade 6 reading and mathematics grade 7 reading and mathematics grade 8 science and social studies The SOA forms feature a text-to-speech panel that students can use to hear selected text in test questions, answer choices, and graphics similar to the way it is on the traditional oral administration of a paper assessment. *From TEA SOA Resources http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/soa/

20. Standardized Oral Administration (SOA) for the STAAR® The online tool through which SOA is delivered allows a student to independently select and change his or her level of reading support during the test administration. SOA should only be administered to an eligible student for whom the appropriateness of this type of oral administration has been discussed and documented. *From TEA SOA Resources http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/soa/

21. Standardized Oral Administration (SOA) for the STAAR® TEA recommends that campuses prepare themselves as well as students eligible for SOA in advance of the test day. http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/SOA/ *From TEA SOA Resources

22. Oral/Signed Admin A student may use this accommodation if he or she routinely and effectively uses this accommodation during classroom instruction and testing, and meets at least one of the following: Special EducationSection 504General Education identified with dyslexia or a related disorder per TEC §38.003 identified with dyslexia or a related disorder per TEC §38.003. evidence of reading difficulties evidence of reading difficulties Type 1 *Does not have to denote in IEP that the student will be taking the SOA version… just that they have to be OA eligible *From TEA SOA Resources

23. TEC §38.003 (1) "Dyslexia" means a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity. (2) "Related disorders" includes disorders similar to or related to dyslexia, such as developmental auditory imperception, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability. *From STAAR Accommodations Training October, 2014

24. http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/soa/ See the SOA Resources page for additional information:

26. STAAR® A is an accommodated version of STAAR® Offered as an online assessment Offered in the same grades and subjects as STAAR ® Passing standards for STAAR ® A are the same as any STAAR ® test Provides embedded supports designed to help students with disabilities access the content being assessed. These embedded supports include visual aids, graphic organizers, clarifications of construct-irrelevant terms, and text-to-speech functionality.

27. What should be documented in the student’s IEP when considering the general assessment? If the STAAR® assessment with accommodations is not appropriate for a student, the ARD committee must review the eligibility requirements for STAAR® A. The following students may be considered for STAAR® A: Students with identified disabilities who are receiving special education services Students identified with dyslexia or a related disorder (as defined in Texas Education Code §38.003) and are receiving Section 504 services If a student falls into one of these categories and receives accommodations in instruction similar to those found in STAAR® A, the STAAR® A Eligibility Requirements should be reviewed. Additional eligibility criteria found in this document must be met in order for a student to take STAAR®.

28. STAAR ® A Resources Many resources on the STAAR ® A webpage are being updated due to changes within the testing program. Continue to check this page for updated resources, as they will be posted as they become available. NOTE http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/STAARA/

29. Eligibility Requirements A student may take STAAR® in some subjects and STAAR® A in other subjects, depending on eligibility.

30. Eligibility Requirements STAAR® A The STAAR® A Eligibility Requirements are state-required documentation forms that must be completed and included in the IEP. This form is retained locally.

31. State-Required Documentation Forms For STAAR® A, the district personnel completing the form needs to be identified by name on the form, along with his or her position. The district personnel named in the form is responsible for making sure the ARD committee discusses each section. The district personnel who completes these forms should be a member of the ARD committee (e.g., special education teacher, ARD facilitator, administrator). These forms should be completed during the ARD committee meeting when assessment decisions are made.

32. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible to participate in STAAR® A, the answer to all of the eligibility statements on page one of the eligibility requirements must be “Yes.” If the answer to any of these eligibility questions is “No,” the student is not eligible to participate in that assessment and must participate in one of the other state assessments.

33. Step I: Review the Eligibility Criteria for STAAR® A The ARD committee must be able to check one of these two eligibility statements in order for the assessment to be considered appropriate for a student.

34. Step II: Review Eligibility Criteria for STAAR® A The ARD or Section 504 committee (in conjunction with the LPAC if the student is an ELL) must circle the subject(s) for which STAAR ® A is being considered and check the accommodation(s) the student routinely receives in the classroom for that subject. If a particular subject is not applicable, circle NA. To be eligible to participate in STAAR ® A in a particular subject, TWO OR MORE accommodations must be checked in that subject. If fewer than two accommodations are checked, the student is not eligible to participate in STAAR ® A in that subject.

35. A list of testing accommodations consistent with the state accommodation policies is posted on the TEA Resources webpage. In order to make appropriate accommodation decisions from year to year, their effectiveness should be assessed. Collect data on how the student performs with and without the accommodation. Make available to the student a variety of instructional strategies to see which are most effective. Students taking STAAR® A may be receiving instruction in any setting (e.g., inclusion, resource, self-contained) or for any amount of time. Step II: Review Eligibility Criteria for STAAR® A ARD committee decisions should be based only on the educational needs of the student.

36. Step II: Review Eligibility Criteria for STAAR® A It is not appropriate to make an assessment decision simply because a student passed or failed a previous state assessment. Example: If a student achieved Satisfactory Academic Performance on STAAR® Alternate at Complexity Level 3 in the past, this does not necessarily mean that the student should now take STAAR ®. Other factors must be considered. Example: If a student received an Unsatisfactory Academic Performance on STAAR® Modified in the past, it does not automatically mean that the student should now take STAAR® A or STAAR ® Alternate 2. Students must meet eligibility criteria for STAAR® A or the participation requirements for STAAR® Alternate 2.

37. Step III: Summarize Assessment Decisions for STAAR® A The ARD or Section 504 committee (in conjunction with the LPAC if the student is an ELL) should indicate the STAAR® A test(s) the student will take for the school year under consideration. This form must be included in the student’s IEP or Individual Accommodations Plan (IAP) to serve as the required documentation of the state academic achievement decision Additional testing accommodations may be allowed and must be documented in the student’s paperwork as well. Refer to the Accommodation Triangle on the TEA Student Assessment website for more information

38. http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/STAARA/ See the STAAR ® A Resources page for additional information:

39. Educator Guide for STAAR  A 2015-16 UPDATE COMING SOON http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/accommodations/

40. Additional Resources

41. Critical Information for Students with Disabilities taking State Assessment http://tea.texas.gov/Student_Testing_and_Accountability/Testing/Student_Assessment_Overview/Accommodation_Res ources/2016_Accommodations_for_Students_with_Disabilities_Taking_State_Assessments/

42. Accommodations in Unexpected or Emergency Situations 2015-16 UPDATE COMING SOON

43. ESC-20 Contact Information STAAR Alternate 2: Cindy Miller Educational Specialist (210) 370-5628 Cindy.Miller@esc20.net Nicole Moore Educational Specialist (210) 370-5441 Nicole.Moore@esc20.net Emily Morlandt Educational Specialist (210) 370-5496 Emily.Morlandt@esc20.net STAAR & STAAR A Kimberly Baumgardner Educational Specialist (210) 370-5431 Kimberly.Baumgarner@esc20.net Jamie Goodwin Educational Specialist (210) 370-5476 Jamie.Goodwin@esc20.net Erin Kelts Project Manager (210) 370-5664 Erin.Kelts@esc20.net Lisa Kirby Educational Specialist (210) 370-5469 Lisa.Kirby@esc20.net Catherine Wilson Educational Specialist (210) 370-5468 Catherine.Wilson@esc20.net 504 & Dyslexia: Cara Wyly Educational Specialist (210) 370-5413 Cara.Wyly@esc20.net

44. TEA Contact Information: The district testing coordinator is the primary contact when questions arise. TEA’s Student Assessment Division: Accommodation Task Force 512-463-9536 Accommodations Email: Test.accommodations@tea.state.tx.us