Samples from the 2007 Texas Assessment Conference Presenter: Cari Wieland, TEA

1. Understanding Supplemental Aids Samples from the 2007 Texas Assessment Conference Presenter: Cari Wieland, TEA Slides are samples only to be used to expand educators understanding of some factors involved when considering whether a supplemental aid is allowable or non-allowable. NOTE: Districts should consult the current TEA Accommodations Manual to ensure supplemental aids are in compliance with current assessment year guidelines.

2. Examples of Supplemental Aids • Please note: It is very important to understand that these are samples that were created for demonstration purposes in this presentation only.

3. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Soc. Stud. At grade 8 this labeled map would provide direct answers for items assessing either territorial expansion or significant dates. It would not be allowed. This map does not contain material tested at grade 10 or Exit level/grade 11 so it would be allowed but would not be helpful to a student. It may even confuse the student.

4. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Soc. Stud. Now that the labels have been removed from the map, this would be allowable for a student in grade 8. This map could be blank, labeled with a general title (“Area 3”), or shaded. The student is still required to know the information, but is given a visual aid to help him/her recall prior information.

5. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Soc. Stud. This is an example of a timeline that would not be allowed for students in grade 8 or Exit level/grade 11 because students are required to answer questions about the significance of 1861-1865 . This list would not be helpful and might be confusing at grade 10.

6. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Soc. Stud. Now that the significant events have been deleted from the timeline, it serves only as a tool to help the student recall important information and would be allowed.

7. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Soc. Stud. At grade 10 and Exit level/grade 11 students are required to identify and compare the characteristics of different economic systems. Using an aid such as this would be a source of direct answers

8. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Soc. Stud. If a student needs assistance with remembering definitions, there are many ways to accomplish this. A student may be able to use a standard English language dictionary or create a picture dictionary such as this one. The formal definition and characteristics of a traditional economy have been removed, but the student has chosen to insert a picture of a family who makes a living herding livestock. This picture would give the student a visual reminder of the assessed term. 1. Traditional Economy

9. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Science • Melting point: The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which the substance changes from a solid to a liquid. Ice changes to a liquid at its melting point of 0°C. • Boiling point: The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which the substance changes from a liquid to a gas. Water changes to steam at its boiling point of 100°C. • Magnetism: Magnetic substances are attracted to strong magnets. Iron nails are magnetic, but wooden toothpicks are not. This might be a portion of a student’s journal that contains the definitions and specific examples of important science terms. These particular definitions includes examples of the properties of matter which are assessed in all grades and would not be allowed for any science assessment. These may be exact questions on the test and would constitute a source of direct answers.

10. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Science This portion of a students science journal also contains information about the properties of matter and would be allowed at all grade levels in science. The student is now required to apply the pictorial representation of the term to questions to determine the correct answer.

11. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Math This example of a translation would not be allowed for grades 4 through 8 since the TEKS at these grades require students to identify and graph translations. This could be a source of direct answers. Translations are not specifically tested at grades 9 and up, so this would be allowed if requested, but might be confusing. Translations are not tested at gr. 3 so this would not be useful and could be confusing for a student.

12. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Math This is a portion of a student’s mathematics journal. The student has shown a person “sliding” down a hill as his definition of a translation. This is not a source of direct answers and would be allowed at any grade.

13. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Math This example of a place value chart would not be allowed for grades 3 -5 since the TEKS require students to use place value to read and write numbers. By including numerals, this is a source of direct answers. Place value is not specifically tested at grades 6 and up, so this chart would be allowed although it might be confusing to students.

14. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Math By removing the numerals, this place value chart becomes a tool and would be allowed at any grade.

15. Examples of NON-ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Math This example demonstrates the division process. Because it gives examples and could be a source of direct answers, it would not be allowed at any grade.

16. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Math • Divide • Multiply • Subtract • Bring down • Dad • Mom • Sister • Brother By using a mnemonic device for the steps of division, the student is required to understand the process but is given a tool to remember it. This would be allowed at any grade.

17. Examples of ALLOWABLE supplemental aids: Other • Blank graphic organizers • List of general strategies (e.g. read the story, answer the questions using information from the story, take a break) • Definitions without specific examples • Punctuation and grammar rules without specific examples