Updates from TEA

1. Updates from TEA TETN October 18, 2012 Lisa Kirby, Educational Specialist Lisa.kirby@esc20.net 210-370-5469

2. General Information • Please make sure Special ED coordinators are listed as coordinators on listserv in AskTED • You will be receiving two e-mails one when Participation Requirements are posted and one when TEA webpage is updated. • Some districts have reported issues with viewing TEA ppt once they are posted- this is an equipment problem please contact: Rob Jacques at Region 13.

3. Type 3: Math Scribe http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/accommodations/staar-telpas/

4. Expect: • Format to remain the same • Clarifications in sections to be made • Eligibility Criteria Check boxes – use for recorded keeping at district • More Student Scenarios • Some Language left up to ARD interpretation not Vague

5. Accommodation Policieswith Changes: Oral Administration • Must have evidence of reading difficulty • Does not mean the student must be LD in reading • Be “X” number of years below grade level • ARD Committee decides • Document evidence in IEP • Additions: Required reference materials may be read aloud to student • Required dictionaries for reading and writing tests- if they qualify for oral admin!!! • Required math and science reference materials

6. Accommodation Policieswith Changes: Oral Administration • Still prohibited- reading selections may never be read aloud • Revising and editing passages may never be read to students (standardized format across the state) • Every word = all words in tables, graphs, grids, diagrams, maps, photographs, cartoons, pictures etc. • Add more Student Scenarios to clarify FAQ's

7. Accommodation Policieswith Changes: Spelling and Dictionary • Dictionary removed from the spelling section and placed in the Dictionary Policy section. • A dictionary is still allowed as a form of spelling assistance • Internet access must be disabled when using technology based spelling Assistance... • Additions: description now includes the dictionary as a form of spelling assistance, now applies to grade 4 writing tests as well as grades 3-5 reading tests

8. Accommodation Policieswith Changes: Math Manipulatives • Addition of translucent (tracing) paper • TEA will not use brand names for paper

9. Accommodation Policieswith Changes: Complex Transcribing • Change in the eligibility criteria • Must meet one of the following: • Temporary or Permanent impairment to vision • Temporary or Permanent physically disabling condition that prevents student from independently and effectively recording responses • Not for students who spell poorly or cannot organize and develop a written response. • Is for students who cannot produce a written response through handwriting, typing, or speech to text • You may attach a writing sample when submitting ARF • 328 ARF submitted 105 Approved this year

10. Accommodations: Other • Manipulatives • Highlighting added • Calculation Devices • More Student Scenarios added • Basic Transcribing • Student gets full time to complete the test • The transcriber may transcribe after allotted time • Can not seek clarification from student after allotted testing time.

11. Accommodations: Other • Supplemental Aids • Teachers create supplemental aids to meet the needs of students during instruction, TEA does not create supplemental aids, supplemental aids should be individualized for each student • Photo Copies • Clarifications were made to special instructions/considerations • Blank answer documents- you are not allowed to photocopy blank documents to help train students for test • Other Type 3 • More information added that may address AT that is not addressed in other accommodations

12. Other • Extra time: Proposing a few additions • Eligibility Criteria • Student Scenarios • Clarification to better distinguish between medical breaksand breaks • Will be discussed in the Oct 16th TETN

13. Participation Requirements • 2012-2013 Participation Requirements for STAAR Modified are updated. • New participation requirements will include Special Ed Division – TAC Reference • This is a state form will be required to be part of IEP paper work in 2013-2014 School year (currently house it locally) • World History added as this will be tested for the first time in 2013. • If you already had an ARD and didn't address World History administration then you will need to go back to address for 2012/2013. • If your ARD committee “hand wrote” in World History last year on the participation requirements you do not need to change it. • Having difficulty uploading forms they will posted as soon as possible.

14. Feedback from Field • It would be better if polices and accommodations did not change throughout the year. • Manual vs. Webpage • Power points and other resources not helpful. • I can’t print in color at my school. • Reading information on computer is to difficult.

15. Feedback from Field • Please put all PDFs in one place to print (not going to happen this year) • Make Accommodations Triangle easier to find. • People are only looking at triangle and never clicking onto the links to use.

16. Critical Information about Accommodations for SwD for STAAR and TELPAS • Accommodations may be appropriate for instruction but not assessment. (Still a BIGdeal) • Accommodations should not be continued without evidence that they are effect. • The use of accommodations occurs primarily during classroom instruction, classroom instruction allows for any techniques needed to meet that child's needs. • Routine accommodation use does not mean a student must use the accommodation every year.

17. Critical Information about Accommodations for SwD for STAAR and TELPAS • It is acceptable to withhold an accommodation to determine if it is effective. • ARDs don’t limit choices for instructional accommodations to the accommodation triangle. (Meet the need of each student.) • Policies on statewide assessment in regards to accommodations should not limit an educators ability to individualize students’ materials and facilitate students’ learning...... unlike instruction, statewide assessments must be standardized.

18. Accommodations: Emergency • Accommodations in unexpected or emergency Situations • First look at the Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials • Second look at the Accommodation Triangle -Consider and encourage student independence when appropriate • Third contact TEA for Type 3 • Document accommodations on answer document.

19. Type 3 Accommodations • ARF Required • Math Scribe Added • Last year under “other” • Temporary or permanently physically disabling condition or an impairment in vision • Math and Science • Allows a test administrator to record students dictation from scratch paper • Rare approval: only 33 approved last year • Still need to include “Pending TEA Approval” • Campus must have a contingency plan in place if ARF is not approved

20. Feedback • At a Glance Charts for Accommodations • Proceed with Caution • Share with TEA • Optional Test Administration Procedures and Materials • Not considered Accommodations • Located in the DTC Manual • Local Documentation • Not for every student • Can not be required during assessment • Added: Special Lighting, Crayons, Highlighters • More examples of Blank Place Holders and scratch paper • Reading writing prompt: Go ahead and read student does not need to request

21. Important Dates

22. Everything will be posted in next couple of weeks to the TEA website