DCAS Accommodations for
English Language Learners
2010-2011
Training Webinar
August 2010
Helen Dennis & Margie Loveland
This is Just a recording.
Do not try to type in the chat
box. It is just a recording!
After viewing this recording, if you have questions . . .
. . . Watch the DCAS accommodations training Elluminate
recording (recorded on 8/18/10 at 3:30 pm)
. . . please attend the 9/1/10 ELL/DCAS Elluminate Session
at 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
OR
You may contact DOE:
hdennis@doe.k12.de.us or 302-735-4090
mloveland@doe.k12.de.us or 302-735-4210 (until 8/31/10)
apeoples@doe.k12.de.us or 302-735-4140
Agenda
DOE Supports (documents)
Discontinued Accommodations
Accommodations carried over to new numbers
New Accommodations
Specific accommodation considerations
Support from DOE
 Guidelines for Inclusion
 Standard and Non-Standard Accommodations Memo
(June 2010)
 Accommodations Roll-up memo – English Language
Learners (July 30, 2010)
 Webinars
 ELL Informational Recording (you are watching it
right now)
 DCAS Accommodations database training
recording (recorded 8/18/10 at 3:30 pm)
 Q & A session (LIVE) scheduled for September 1,
2010 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Discontinued Accommodations
 602: Paraphrasing test questions in English
 702: Student responds to the test by writing/typing
responses in Spanish
 706: Paraphrasing test questions for student in native
language
 707: Translating reading passages on the reading test
into native language
 713: Student dictates responses to test administrator
in Spanish
 801: Testing over multiple sessions: this is now
permitted for all students, so this accommodation is
not needed.
Accommodations Recoded to New Numbers
 711: recoded to 600: Reading, re-reading, in SPANISH the
test questions, including multiple-choice options.
Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies ONLY. Student
may be re-assigned to 711 in DCAS-A database if it is
determined that human reader is more appropriate.
 603: recoded to 600: Reading, re-reading, in ENGLISH the
test questions, including multiple-choice options. All
content areas. Student may be re-assigned to 603 in
DCAS-A database if it is determined that human reader is
more appropriate.
 704 recoded to 703: All students who require a Spanish
translation of the DCAS (mathematics, science, and social
studies only) will take the Spanish-English side-by-side
test. There is no DCAS presented in Spanish only.
New Accommodations for ELLs
Text-to-Speech: A feature that allows the online test to read itself aloud to the
student (headphones required if in room with other students)
 In ENGLISH:
 accommodation #600: “read aloud the questions” in all content areas.
 accommodation #606: “read aloud the passages” on the reading test only.
 Reading speed and voice selection must take place in the Microsoft control
panel prior to starting the DCAS secure browser.
 In SPANISH:
 accommodation #600: “read aloud the questions” in mathematics, science,
and social studies only.
 Reading speed and voice selection must take place in the Microsoft control
panel prior to starting the DCAS secure browser.
New Accommodations for ELLs, cont’d
A human reader may also be used if it is determined
to be necessary.
 Accommodation 603: read the questions
aloud.
 Accommodation 609: read the passages aloud.
 Individual administration is required for human
reader
Side-by-Side Spanish and English
Not new, but will be presented somewhat
differently from the previous statewide test.
Displayed vertically (stacked), rather than
horizontally (side-by-side)
is available for Mathematics, Science, and Social
Studies and provides each test item in English and
Spanish on a single screen (#703).
Help screens and error messages will be appear in
Spanish only, --make sure to provide a printed
copy of the help screen in English to each student.
New Accommodations for ELLs, Cont’d
Paper and Pencil Version
 Accommodation #610 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.
Standard and Non-Standard
Accommodations
Previously
known as
Parameters on Use
Examples
Standard Accom
Aggregable
No restrictions
Word-to-word
dictionary, reading
the test questions
Non-Standard
Accom
Nonaggregable
There are restrictions on Reading aloud the
who is eligible for this
reading passages
accommodation
Accountability 2010-2011
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 Consequences
Examples
Standard Accom
•Counts for participation
•Counts for proficiency
Word-to-word
dictionary, reading
aloud the test
questions
Non-Standard
Accom
•Counts as non-participant
•Excluded from proficiency
Reading aloud the
reading passages
Accountability 2010-2011 Cont’d
Example: Hispanic, low income, ELL student who
has the reading passages read to him/her
ELA Proficiency
ELA Participation Math
Proficiency
Math
Participation
Excluded
Non-Participant
Included
Participant
Hispanic
Excluded
Non-Participant
Included
Participant
ELL
Excluded
Non-Participant
Included
Participant
Excluded
Non-Participant
Included
Participant
All
Afr. Amer
Amer. Indian
Asian/Pac Isl.
White
Spec Ed
Low Income
DCAS Accommodation
Management
Accommodations and the Online Test
Delivery System
 NO LOCKDOWN of DCAS-Accommodations database
 There will be no lockdown period for DCAS-A database.
 Make sure student is identified in DELSIS as ELL FIRST
 Please enter accommodations at least 72 hours before the
student’s 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
TA’s 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 will have access to a readonly 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,
 student’s test will have to be rescheduled.
 student’s record in the DCAS Accommodations database must be
updated/verified
 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
Criteria for Receiving an ELL Exemption
(Reading Test or High School English II
Field Test)
An ELL student is considered to be in the first year of
enrollment in U.S. schools under the following
condition:
 The student is new to the United States,
AND
 is in the first year of enrollment in U.S. schools
AND
 as of the date of the student’s scheduled test
the student has been enrolled in U.S. schools
for less than one year.
Examples
 Jose enrolled in US Schools on 4/1/2010.
Date Jose’s class is
scheduled to take
DCAS Reading
Has Jose been
in US Schools
for one year?
Does Jose have to
take the DCAS
Reading in this
window?
DCAS Reading Window 1
10/11/2010
No
No
DCAS Reading Window 2
1/12/2011
No
No
DCAS Reading Window 3
4/29/2011
Yes
Yes
 Dah Lie enrolled in US Schools on 9/20/2009.
Date Dah Lie’s class
is scheduled to take
DCAS Reading
Has Dah Lie
been in US
Schools for
one year?
Does Dah Lie have to
take the DCAS
Reading in this
window?
DCAS Reading Window 1
10/20/2010
Yes
Yes
DCAS Reading Window 2
1/12/2011
Yes
Yes
DCAS Reading Window 3
4/29/2011
Yes
Yes
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
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.
Other Questions
Will DCAS Practice Tests and Training Tests be
Available in Spanish?
 Yes
Will the accommodations be available on the
practice and training test?
 Yes