DeSSA Accessibility Guidelines
Online Training, 2014-2015
Students with Disabilities
Helen Dennis – Office of Assessment
Sarah Celestin – Exceptional Children (Special Education)
Terry Richard – Exceptional Children (ELL/Migrant)
October 2014
1
Purpose of the Accessibility Guidelines
Training Session
Become familiar with:
• Smarter Accommodations and Supports
• DCAS Accommodations
• DCAS ALT 1 Accommodations
• Differences/similarities between DCAS/Smarter
Accommodations
• Policies, expectations, and timelines related to
assessment accommodations and supports
• Forms and Databases
2
DeSSA Accessibility Guidelines
This document provides guidelines for making
decisions about the inclusion in assessments of
• students with disabilities (SWD),
• English language learners (ELL),
• students who are classified as both (SWD/ELL);
• “General Ed Students With Supports,” (students
not identified as SWD or ELL that may be
provided supports during assessments)
3
What is DeSSA?
•
•
•
•
Delaware
System of
Student
Assessments
• Includes Smarter, DCAS, DCAS ALT 1, SAT/PSAT,
ACCESS/ALT ACCESS, NAEP
4
Assessments Covered by Guidelines
• Smarter (ELA/Math)
– Accommodations and Supports
• DCAS (Science/Social)
– Accommodations
• High School End-of-Course (Math/History)
– Accommodations
• DCAS ALT-1 (ELA/Math/Science/Social)
– Accommodations
• ACCESS & ACCESS ALT (English Language Acquisition)
– Accommodations
5
Different tests, different purpose,
different accommodations
DeSSA covers a variety of tests with a variety of purposes:
• DCAS/Smarter – measures content knowledge/skills
based on standards
• DCAS—ALT 1– measures content knowledge/skills
based on extended standards
• ACCESS, ACCESS ALT – measure language proficiency
• SAT/PSAT – measure college readiness
Accommodations may change based on the
purposes and the constructs of the tests.
6
Smarter
• Content Areas:
– ELA: Items measuring reading, listening, writing,
research
– Mathematics
• Accommodations and Supports for SWDs
• Supports for ELLs and Gen Ed students receiving
supports
• Universal tools for all
7
Smarter
8
What are Smarter “Designated
Supports?”
• Another name for an accessibility feature of the test that is
available to selected groups
– Available to more student-types than Smarter Accommodations
• ELL, SWD, 504, Gen Ed
– Might be called accommodations on another test (i.e. DCAS)
– Might be called universal tools on another test
– Include ELL related features
9
What are Universal Tools?
• Accessibility feature available to all students
– No need to select prior to test
– Student selects independently/spontaneously during the
test
• Smarter Balanced Module on Embedded Universal
Tools and Online Features :
– Narrated module:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9nrTDov_T0zaTUtLXhrY
nRLZWs/edit?pli=1
– Non-narrated module:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9nrTDov_T0zcXAxQWs5
T29iZms/edit?pli=1
10
Embedded vs. Non Embedded
• Replaces the terminology “Functional vs. NonFunctional”
• Embedded*: delivered online via the browser
• Non-Embedded: provided in the classroom by
staff
*except “print on demand” – called non
embedded in Smarter.
11
Smarter – DCAS Crosswalk
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/assessment/files/Accoms_Crosswalk_DCAS12
SBAC.pdf
DCAS
• Science and Social Studies only
• Same policy as previous years
– Accommodations only
– Formally identified students only
• ELL (English language learners)
• SWD (students with disabilities)
• Universal design features for all
13
DCAS ALT-1
• Alternate test for students with significant
cognitive disabilities
• Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies
• Participation Guidelines
– Increasing number of ELLs documented with
significant cognitive disabilities
• 2014-15: For the first time, DOE will track some
accommodations in the Assessment
Accommodations Database
• Test Characteristics Profile
14
Decision Trees
Decision Trees
• See the decision trees on pages 25, 32, and
37 of the guidelines.
– Decision tree for SWDs
– Decision tree for ELLs
– General Ed with Support
• General, or Alternate?
• With/Without Accoms?
• English Language Proficiency? ALT?
15
Accommodations and Supports
on the General Assessments
16
Accommodations & Supports Timeline
• When can I plan accommodations & supports?
– Any time before the assessment.
• When can I enter accommodations & supports?
– Between test windows
– during the planned test window, prior to testing
– With 3 days prior to testing, (number specified in DeSSA Test
Administrator Training)
– Do not enter accommodations for 2015-16 before spring 2015
window closes (June 4).
• When should the student start using the accommodations
& supports?
– In the classroom – as soon as it can benefit the student
– On the test –
• after the student becomes proficient in the accom or support
• after it is showing in the TIDE database
17
Accommodations & Supports in
Classroom and Assessment
Classroom Accoms
and Supports
DCAS
Accommodations
and supports
Smarter
Accommodations &
Supports
18
Accommodations Form
19
Accommodations Listings/Forms
• Smarter Example
20
Accommodations for Students who are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
ASL
DCAS Science/Social
Studies and EOC
Math/History
Smarter
Human ASL interpreter
Available as an accommodation.
ASL Video-test questions will be
translated into video of an actual
person, signing the test question
(not a computer avatar)
Closed Caption
Not Available
Available as an Accommodation
(Printed text that appears on the
computer screen as audio materials
are presented. )
21
Accommodations for Students with
Visual Impairment (slide 1)
DCAS Science/Social
Studies and EOC
Math/History
Smarter ELA/Math
Zoom (universal design)
Available
available
Zoomtext external
device/software
Permitted
Permitted with certification
Magnification
Available
The size of specific areas of
the screen may be adjusted by
the student with an A.T.
device. Allows increasing the
size to a level not provided for
by the Zoom.
Paper Braille
Available.
Available (pending approval)
Adaptive Calculator :
Talking, large display
Available for all math
items
Available for calculator items
only
22
Accommodations for Students with
Visual Impairment (slide 2)
DCAS Science/Social
Studies and EOC
Math/History
Refreshable Braille
Background color change
Print on Request or
Paper/Pencil combined
with magnification device
(i.e. cctv or magnifying
lens)
Print size default
Not Available
Smarter ELA/Math
Available - the reading test
will be read on a
refreshable braille
display—math test can be
printed on an embosser
Available
Available
Available
Available.
Available
Available
23
Refreshable Braille
• Benefit of Text to Braille – more inclusive than
fixed-form paper test
– Student who uses braille benefits from adaptive
test
– Student who uses braille takes test when his/her
class takes the test
– Available for field test
– Work with the teacher of the visually impaired to
determine if student can use
24
Refreshable Braille (2)
• Paper braille is anticipated to be available in
2015.
• However, this does not constitute permission
to opt out of instruction and assessment in
refreshable braille.
• Smarter states are obligated to move towards
full implementation of refreshable braille for
all braille-using students over the next two
years.
25
Hand-Held Calculator (for online test)
• Only permitted if student’s usual calculator is
adaptive in design
–
–
–
–
Talking
Large display
Large buttons
Braille
• Otherwise, online calculator should be used
• No calculator accommodation permitted on the
non-calculator portion of the math test
26
Calculators and Non-Calculator Items
(2)
Smarter Math 3-5
Smarter Math 6-8
Includes:
Includes:
Smarter Math 11
Includes:
EOC Alg. II or Int.
Math III
Includes:
A “Calculator
A “Calculator
A “Calculator
Permitted” Section Permitted” Section Permitted” Section
of the Test
of the Test
of the Test ONLY
A “Calculator Not
A “Calculator Not
A “Calculator Not
Permitted” Section Permitted” Section Permitted” Section
of the Test ONLY
of the Test
of the Test
http://www.smarterbalanced.org/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/2014/03/Calculator-Availability-by-Grade-Level.pdf
27
Accommodations & Supports for
Students with Reading Disabilities and
Print Disabilities
DCAS Science/Social Smarter ELA/Math
Studies and EOC
Math/History
Text to Speech –
Test Questions
Available
Available as a support. Activates TTS on
questions in ELA and Math. Also Activates
TTS of passages in ELA PT.
Human Reader –
Test Questions
Available
Available as a support in ELA and Math.
Passages on ELA PT are considered part of
the question – these may be read.
Text to Speech –
Reading Passages
Not Applicable
Permitted as an accommodation for ELA 68 & 11 with a DOE-approved TTS/HR
verification form
Human Reader –
Reading Passages
Not Applicable
Permitted as an accommodation for ELA 38 & 11 with a DOE-approved TTS/HR
verification form
28
Smarter
Text-to-Speech/Human Reader for
Students with IEPs or 504s
Questions/Items
Passages
Available – also
activates TTS passages
on ELA PT.
Not programmed/Not
available
Embedded (TTS)
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Available with approved
form
Non-Embedded (Human Reader)
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Available – also
includes reading of
passages on ELA PT.
Available with approved
form
Verification Form – TTS/Human Reader
(Passages)
Need new
screen shot
of final form
• Verification form to be
completed by appropriate
school staff
• Provide justification of
print disability and
information on reading
supports
• Required to submit to
DOE for students in all
grades who are expected
to receive this
accommodation
30
Accoms/supports for Attention and
Distraction
DCAS Science/Social
Studies and EOC
Math/History
Smarter ELA/Math
Masking
Available – universal tool
Available as a Support
Breaks
Available – flexible
scheduling, pause test
Available – flexible
scheduling, pause test
Turn off tools
Not Applicable
Available as a Support
31
Injury, Motor, or Processing Difficulty
DCAS Science/Social
Studies and EOC
Math/History
Smarter ELA/Math
Scribe
Available
Available as a Support for
Math and non-writing ELA.
Available as an
accommodation on all
parts of ELA and Math.
Physical assistance with
Mouse
Available
Consider this part of
scribing
32
DCAS ALT 1
Accommodations Tracking Overview
•
•
•
•
•
•
Substitution or Presentation of response cards
Large Print
Magnification
ASL
Braille & tactile graphics
ELL-related accommodations
–
–
–
–
Translator/interpreter items
Translator/interpreter reading passages
Translation of construct-irrelevant words
Definition of construct-irrelevant words
33
DCAS--ALT 1
Test Characteristics Profile Form
• Features that TA might
like to track, but not
necessary to report to
DOE
• Page 114 in Guidelines
34
Switching between General and
Alternate Assessments
• Document the decision to switch BEFORE the
opening of the Spring Window
• After you administer a spring test, it is too late
to switch tests.
35
Senate Bill 229
Regulation Development
• Has two components:
– Alternate assessment
– Early reading remediation
• 90-Day Timeline for Regulation Development
– 9/15 – To register for posting on 10/1
– 10/1-12/1 – 60 day public comment period
– Early December – Review public comment; potential
revision
– 12/15 – To register for posting 1/1
– Mid January – Potential in effect date
• Regulation developed in consultation with Governor’s
Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens & Lt Gov’s
Office
Section 1 of S.B. 229:
Alternate Assessment
• Option for students to participate in a Portfolio
Alternate Assessment instead of DCAS-Alt1
– Aligned to extended standards (ELA, Math, Science & SS)
– Additional section related to life skills, selfdetermination, etc.
Available
• Assessment Regulations (101) will include:
for
15-16 SY
– Notice of assessment options
– Procedure for parent request and IEP team review
– Requirements related to design and evaluation of the
portfolio
– Procedure for review of unusual number of portfolio
assessments
Technical
38
Assessment Accommodations
Database
• Access Via IMS
• Contains Accommodations and Supports for
– Students with Disabilities (IEP, 504)
– ELLs
– Gen Ed with Supports
• Enter, List, or Report Accommodations and
Supports
• Data for AIR TIDE (Test Information Distribution
Engine) is extracted from it
Opening Screen (“Search” Screen)
 Students with IEP’s
Search Results Screen
Student-Related Reports
Currently-DCAS only
Report Results Screen
Steps to Flag Student as
Gen Ed w/Supports
Follow these steps after identifying a student to receive
supports on the Smarter assessments as a general education
student:
1. Log in to ESchool
2. Go to the Accountability screen.
3. Flag the student “Y” as a general education student
receiving supports.
4. Wait overnight for the student’s data to “roll up” to
DELSIS.
5. Enter the student’s supports in the Assessment
Accommodations database.
Please contact your Eschool support contact with any
questions regarding data entry.
Eschool Accountability Screen
How to Formally Document a General Education Student Receiving Supports in
the Pupil Accounting and Accommodations Systems
Page 36 of Guidelines .
Help! None of Our Reading
Accommodations “Rolled Up”
• Accommodations could not be rolled up from DCAS reading to
Smarter ELA. They are too different.
– The list of accommodations & supports are permitted;
– The rules about who can have which accommodations & supports.
• Schools must enter all Smarter ELA accommodations and supports.
– Use the crosswalk from last spring’s field test
– determine what accommodations and supports offered on Smarter
ELA are similar to DCAS Reading Accommodations.
• Schools must also enter all Smarter math accommodations and
supports.
– The only math accommodations in the system are DCAS math
accommodations.
– Math rolled up because High School End of Course Algebra II and
Integrated Math III tests are still being offered.
46
Example
• Some Smarter accommodations did not exist on DCAS.
• Some DCAS accommodations don’t exist on Smarter.
• Some DCAS accommodations might be replaced by a particular
smarter accom/support but you may feel the smarter version is not
appropriate.
• TTS Passages
– DCAS:
• available 2-10,
• select on IEP team authority
• Available to IEP, 504 and ELL
– Smarter:
• available 6-8 and 11,
• need approved TTS form to enter (entered by DOE)
• Available only to IEP, 504
47
Smarter Reset Policy
• Incorrect accoms most frequent reason for rest in DCAS
• Different from previous DCAS Reset Policy
• If student answered 6 or more items, no reset will be granted.
– If the test is administered incorrectly (for example, the wrong
accommodations were provided):
• the student will not get another opportunity to test.
• the student’s test may be invalidated, resulting in non-participant status
• If the student answered fewer than 6 items, a reset can be granted.
– If the test was administered incorrectly, the test reset will give you
another chance to administer the test correctly.
• DCAS/EOC will adopt the new Smarter reset policy.
48
AIR TIDE
• In 2014-15, TIDE will contain all information
related to
– Smarter ELA/Math
– DCAS Science/Social Studies
– EOC Alg II/IM III, US History
– DCAS ALT 1 ELA/Math/Science/Social Studies
• Student will have one record in TIDE that has
the info for all his/her tests
49
Coming Soon …
50
Smarter- Alternate Response –
External Device/Software
(1 of 2)
• Smarter policy includes augmentative
alternative communication devices,
magnification software, and speech-to-text
(and other alternate response) software on list
of supports/ accommodations
• Certification of your software/device will
ensure that the student’s test will execute
properly
51
Other Settings – Pending Approval
• Streamline/Test Shell - pending
– Can be used on its own for more linear presentation
– Can be used to improve presentation of other
accommodations/supports
• Permissive Mode - pending
– Select Permissive Mode if student will be using
external accessibility software or devices
• “Speech to Text” (STT, not TTS)
• Magnification (i.e., Zoomtext)
• Alternate Response
52
Paper/Pencil (incl. Braille p/p)
• Support 4.10
• Available for Spring 2015 (not yet official)
– Intended for schools nationally that do not have
adequate internet access
• Use of “Print on Demand” is preferred
• Paper/Pencil flag in eSchool or add support in
database for identified Gen Ed with Supports
53
Future Updates to 2014-15
Accessibility Guidelines
• Additional updates and clarifications are likely
between now and spring 2015 testing
• Look out on DOE website and DCAS Portal
– Updates memo
– Updated Accommodations form
• Expected future updates
– Announcement regarding Spanish TTS
54
Upcoming Training
• Additional Accessibility Guidelines training for
DCAS--ALT 1 coordinators and test
administrators
• DOE Training on how to use the Assessment
Accommodations Database
• Smarter module on universal tools
• DCAS ALT 1 Online Update Training
• DCAS ALT 1 Face to Face training for new TAs
55
Questions
• Sarah Celestin – Students with Disabilities
o 302-735-4210
o Sarah.Celestin@doe.k12.de.us
• Terry Richard – English Language Learners
o 302-735-4210
o Terry.Richard@doe.k12.de.us
• Helen Dennis – Office of Assessment
o 302-735-4090
o Helen.Dennis@doe.k12.de.us
56