Florida TIMSS 2015 Students with Disabilities (SD) and English Language Learners (ELL) Inclusion Guidelines
Grades 4, 8, and 12 Mathematics and Science
The Florida Department of Education expects that most students with disabilities (SD) and English language learners (ELL) will be included on Trends in
International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) (grades 4 and 8) and TIMSS Advanced (grade 12).
Only students with disabilities who participate in Florida’s Alternate Assessment may be excluded from any TIMSS assessment. All other students with
disabilities should participate in TIMSS with or without TIMSS-allowed accommodations.
Only English language learners who have been enrolled in United States schools for less than 1 full academic year before the TIMSS assessment may be
excluded from any TIMSS assessment. All other English language learners should participate in TIMSS with or without TIMSS-allowed accommodations.
Several accommodations provided on Florida’s assessments are not necessary for the TIMSS assessment because they are available for all students through
universal design elements. The chart below is divided into two sections: the first includes universal design elements that will be available to all students and the
second includes accommodations. TIMSS accommodations are only allowed for a student on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan or for a
student identified as an ELL. If you have questions about the TIMSS accommodations, please contact Michele Sonnenfeld, Florida’s NAEP State Coordinator at
Michele.Sonnenfeld@fldoe.org or850.245.0787.
Please keep in mind that TIMSS does not produce results for individual students or schools; it is intended purely to provide an overall picture of educational
performance and progress at the national level. Also, please note that all assessments are not the same and are developed to measure specific constructs.
Therefore, TIMSS may not allow all accessibility features and accommodations Florida’s state assessments allow.
Section 1
TIMSS Universal Design Element
TIMSS Code
TIMSS Subject
Read Aloud in English –
Directions Only
TIMSS Universal Design Element Description
Students have the general directions (the same for all students) read aloud, repeated, or reworded in any way in English so that
students understand what to do. Allowable for all students on TIMSS. Allowable for SDs on Florida’s statewide assessments. Not
allowable for ELLs on Florida’s statewide assessments (ELLs may receive assistance with directions in their heritage language
only).
RA-D
Mathematics, Science
NOTE: Some students’ IEP or 504 Plans stipulate this as an accommodation. For those students, this will be coded as an
accommodation. Students who do not have this as an IEP or 504 requirement but who need the directions read aloud, repeated,
or reworded in any way in English can request this by raising their hand during the session, and it will not be recorded as an
accommodation.
Reminder to stay on task
RST
Mathematics, Science
This is a gentle reminder to students who stray off task. Allowable on TIMSS for all students to receive verbal or nonverbal cues
to begin a task or to refocus on a task. Allowable for SDs on Florida’s statewide assessments. Not allowable for ELLs on
Florida’s statewide assessments.
Calculator – Grades 8 and 12
CAL
Mathematics, Science
Students are allowed to use their own calculators – grade 8 and grade 12. Allowable for all students on both Florida’s statewide
assessments (specific tests/sessions only) and TIMSS.
1
TIMSS Universal Design Element
TIMSS Code
TIMSS Subject
Marking or recording answers on
TIMSSbooklet
OTR
Mathematics, Science
TIMSS Code
TIMSS Subject
EXT
Mathematics, Science
TIMSS Universal Design Element Description
Students are allowed to write in their booklets and record their answers directly in the assessment booklet. Allowable for all
students on both Florida’s statewide assessments (specific tests/sessions only) and TIMSS.
Section 2
TIMSS Accommodation
Extended Time
TIMSS Accommodation Description
This accommodation requires that students be given extra time to complete the assessment. Allowable for SDs and ELLs on both
Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Small Group
SMG
Mathematics, Science
Generally, a small group session includes no more than five students. A student can be assigned to a small group session
because he/she requires one or because one or more of the accommodations he/she typically requires must be administered in a
separate session to minimize distractions to other students in the regular session. Allowable for SDs on both Florida’s statewide
assessments and TIMSS. On Florida’s statewide assessments, ELLs may be tested in a separate room with the ESOL or
heritage language teacher as test administrator; on TIMSS, ELLs may be tested in small group sessions.
One on One
ONE
Mathematics, Science
This accommodation requires that a student be assessed individually in an area free of distractions. Allowable for SDs on both
Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS. On Florida’s statewide assessments, ELLs may be tested in a separate room with
the ESOL or heritage language teacher as test administrator; accommodation allowable for ELLs on TIMSS.
Read Aloud in English ―
Occasional
RA-O
Mathematics, Science
Breaks During Testing
BRK
Mathematics, Science
For this accommodation, students may request to have words, phrases, or sentences read aloud to them in English. Allowable
for SDs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS. On Florida’s statewide assessments, ELLs may receive assistance
with words or phrases in non-reading items in the heritage language; accommodation allowable for ELLs on TIMSS.
This accommodation requires that the student be allowed to take breaks as requested or at predetermined intervals during the
assessment. This also could mean that the student is allowed to take the assessment in more than one sitting during a single
day. Allowable for SDs and ELLs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
NOTE: If the school requests a stretch break between sections for the entire session, it should not be recorded as an
accommodation.
Large Print Version of the Test
LRG
Mathematics, Science
TIMSS provides large-print booklets for students who are visually impaired. These are assessment booklets that have been
enlarged to 129 percent. Allowable for SDs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Calculator – Grade 4
CAL
Mathematics, Science
This is a four function calculator provided by the school to grade 4 students who require it. Calculators are not allowed for
grade 4 students on Florida’s statewide assessments.
Magnification Equipment
MAG
Mathematics, Science
This is a lens or system provided by the school that enhances visual function. Magnification devices include eyeglass-mounted
magnifiers, freestanding or handheld magnifiers. Some students use closed-circuit television to enlarge print and display printed
material with various image enhancements on a screen. Allowable for SDs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Must Have Familiar Person in the
Assessment
SSTF
Mathematics, Science
This accommodation requires that a school staff member familiar to the student be present during the session. Allowable for
SDs on Florida’s statewide assessments; allowable for SDs on TIMSS when provided by the school. Individual is required to sign
a non-disclosure agreement.
2
TIMSS Accommodation con’t
TIMSS Code
TIMSS Subject
TIMSS Accommodation Description
Responds Using a Template or Overlay
A template is a cutout provided by the school that is used to focus a student’s attention on one part of a page by obscuring other
parts of the page. Overlays are plastic sheet covers that change the color of the paper to make the test easier to read. Allowable
for SDs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Responds Using a Special Writing Tool
A writing tool is a large-diameter pencil, pencil grip, or other special writing tool provided by the school that a student uses to record
his/her answers in the assessment booklet. Allowable for SDs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Uses Template/Special
Equipment/Preferential Seating
EQP
Mathematics, Science
NOTE: Some students’ IEP or 504 Plans stipulate this as an accommodation. For those students, this will be coded as an
accommodation. Students who do not have this as an IEP or 504 requirement but who typically use large-diameter pencils, pencil
grips, or other special writing tools during assessment may use these for TIMSS, and it will not be recorded as an
accommodation.
Responds Using a Computer or Typewriter
This accommodation requires that the student record his/her answers using a computer or typewriter provided by the school.
Allowable for SDs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Preferential Seating
This accommodation requires that a student sit in a designated area for the assessment, such as away from other students to
limit distractions; a location where there is access to special equipment; or close to the front of the room so that a student can
see or hear more easily. It may also include special light and furniture used by the student. Allowable for SDs on both Florida’s
statewide assessments and TIMSS.
Bilingual Dictionary Without
Definitions (in any language)
BI-D
Mathematics, Science
This is a handheld electronic or hardcopy bilingual dictionary provided by the school in any language that contains English
translations of words but does not contain definitions. It is sometimes referred to as a “word-for-word” dictionary, “word-to-word
translation dictionary,” or a “bilingual word list.” Allowable for ELLs on both Florida’s statewide assessments and TIMSS.
This category includes accommodations provided by the school that are not listed above and are regularly used by one or
more students sampled for the assessment. For example, some hearing-impaired students require the administrator to wear a
small microphone. Other students require a “read aloud to self” accommodation.
Other
OTR
Mathematics, Science
The following accommodations are not allowed on TIMSS 2015:
 Taking TIMSS over several days
 Read aloud in English – most or all
 Responds orally to scribe
 Presentation or response in Braille or in sign-language
 Oral or written responses in native language
NOTE: Some schools provide special equipment such as colored highlighters for all students to use as a testing strategy. If these
are typically used on the state assessment by these students, they are allowed for use on TIMSS and are not considered an
accommodation. However, TIMSS does not allow the use of scrap paper or graph paper. Students are instructed to show all of
their work in the assessment booklet.
Tape recording answers
● Rewording or simplifying test questions
●
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
Directions read aloud in native language
● Use of dictionary, thesaurus, or spelling- and grammar-checking software
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