english learners and state assessment accommodations susan fossett state assessment coordinator...
TRANSCRIPT
English Learners and State Assessment Accommodations
Susan FossettState Assessment Coordinator
Maine Department of Education
September 20, 2012
1
Goals of this Workshop
Provide an overview of state assessment accommodation policies and procedures
Review and clarify appropriate use of accommodations for students who need them
Answer questions from participants
2
3
http://www.maine.gov/education/necap/admininfo.html
Testing accommodations are meant to remove barriers that may exist due to a student’s learning style or disability. Students must have had experience using an accommodation in the classroom (during routine instruction and/or test taking) prior to using it on a test.
The NECAP Accommodations Guide has a lot of useful information on accommodations.
Accommodations
4
Tips on AccommodationsALL students are eligible to utilize appropriate assessment accommodations. Any accommodation(s) utilized for the assessment of individual students must be:
the result of a decision made by the IEP, Section 504, or other school team that includes, whenever possible, the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) and documented.
determined prior to testing under most circumstances.
based on the individual student’s needs. recorded on the Student Answer Booklet. For each
content area, bubble in only those accommodations that the student actually used.
5
Table of Standard Test Accommodations(Refer to Appendix F in the Principal/Test Coordinator Manual)
T for Timing (T1→T4)S for Setting (S1 & S2)P for Presentation formats (P1→P11)R for Response formats (R1→R7)O for Other (O1 & O2) – Use caution
Use of this accommodation without prior approval will result in no credit given for the test sessions in which it was used.
M for Modifications (M1→M3) – Use cautionSchools may decide to use non-standard and
unapproved test administration procedures (modifications). Use of a “Modification (M)” will result in no credit given for student work during test sessions in which this modification was used. 6
Frequently Asked Questions regarding accommodations…
Q: Who do I go to with questions about accommodations?
A: You can contact Susan Fossett at the Maine Department of Education for questions related to state assessment accommodations only.
Susan Fossett, 207-624-6775 or [email protected]
7
Q: How do I discuss accommodations in an LAC or IEP meeting with parents and teachers?
A: Each student that requires accommodations must have it documented in his/her education plan. Structure any meeting to allow for discussion about how the student will participate in an assessment to include the use of accommodations.
8
Q: What about accommodations for NWEA?
A: NWEA is a district required assessment that the state does not have any control over. Questions regarding accommodations should be directed to the NWEA coordinator in your building or the NWEA website.
9
Q: Can I translate the test into the student’s native language?
A: No! A student with limited English proficiency may have a word-to-word dictionary available for individual use as needed. A word-to-word dictionary is one that does not include any definitions. (NOT allowed for the Reading test.)
10
Q: The administration manuals for MHSA and NECAP say only word for word bilingual dictionaries can be used for accommodations. It also refers to an approved list online. I can't find the list. Can you help me find the list or am I safe with any word for word dictionary?
A: The approved word-to-word dictionaries can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/education/necap/admininfo.html If the dictionary you select is not on the list, please contact the MDOE for approval of use.
11
Q: What accommodation options are available for a high school student taking the SAT?
A: If the student has an identified disability, the student can apply for SSD accommodations from the College Board. If the student does not have a disability, the student may take the SAT for Maine Purposes Only (MPO).
Students taking the SAT using MPO accommodations will not get a college reportable score.
12
Q: Do recently arrived English Learners have to take the reading/writing sections of the NECAP?
A: A recently arrived EL is an EL who was enrolled in a school in the United States for the first time on or after October 1, 2011, as indicated in the appropriate field in ICSE “Date Entered US School”.
Recently arrived EL students must participate in the mathematics content area sessions of the NECAP through standard administration or through administration with accommodations. All test responses must be in English. They are NOT required to participate in the reading and/or writing tests for their first year of enrollment only.
13
Department of Education Contactswww.maine.gov/education/necap
Dan Hupp
Assessment Director
207-624-6827
Susan Fossett
State Assessment Coordinator
207-624-6775
MEDMS Helpdesk
1-207-624-6896