Accessibility means ensuring that each student can interact appropriately with the content, presentation, and response mode of the test. Assessments should allow all test takers to demonstrate their knowledge of the content being tested without the format of the assessment, non-tested language, or the type of response needed to answer the questions being barriers. To meet this goal, TEA has implemented various features and supports that can be made available on paper and online tests to students who use the same or similar supports during classroom instruction. More information can be found on the Accommodation Resources webpage at https://tea.texas.gov/accommodations/.

Accessibility falls into three categories: accessibility features, locally-approved designated supports, and designated supports requiring TEA approval. It is important to refer to the individual policy documents on the Accommodation Resources webpage (https://tea.texas.gov/accommodations/) for comprehensive information about the procedures and materials within each of these categories as well as their specific eligibility criteria.

During state assessments for STAAR, STAAR Spanish, and TELPAS, certain accessibility features may be provided to students based on their needs. In general, these procedures and materials are available to any student who regularly benefits from the use of them during instruction. A student cannot be required to use them during testing and there is no need to document their use on the answer document or in the Texas Assessment Management System for online administrations. Coordinators are responsible for ensuring that test administrators understand the proper implementation of these procedures and use of these materials. In some cases, a student who uses them may need to complete the test in a separate setting to eliminate distractions to other students and to ensure the security and confidentiality of the test. In addition, if the administration of an accessibility feature requires a trained test administrator to view secure test content, he or she must sign the appropriate part of the security oath.

Locally-approved designated supports include accommodations that may be made available to students who meet eligibility criteria. The decision to use a designated support during a state assessment should be made on an individual student basis and take into consideration the needs of the student and whether the student routinely receives the support during classroom instruction and classroom testing. The appropriate team of people at the campus level determines eligibility as indicated in each policy document. The twelve locally-approved designated supports available for state assessments are:

• Basic Transcribing

• Braille

• Calculation Aids

• Content and Language Supports

• Extra Time

• Individualized Structured Reminders

• Large Print

• Manipulating Test Materials

• Mathematics Manipulatives

• Oral/Signed Administration

• Spelling Assistance

• Supplemental Aids

These are designated supports that require the submission of an Accommodation Request Form to TEA. The appropriate team of people at the campus level, as indicated in each policy document, determines whether the student meets all the specific eligibility criteria and, if so, submits an Accommodation Request Form to TEA. Accommodation Request Forms must be received by TEA according to the deadlines posted on the Accommodations Resources webpage. The request must be approved by TEA before a student can use the designated support on the state assessment.

Accommodation Request Process

Accommodation Request Form

October 2019– June 2020 Online Accommodation Request Form Training

Routinely used does not mean that the designated support must be used every day during instruction. Routine use of a designated support means that the student has used the support often enough during classroom instruction and testing that he or she is able to use it independently during the state assessment. Independent use is applicable to some designated supports (e.g., calculation aids) but not to others (e.g., oral administration). In addition, the support has been proven to be effective in meeting the student’s specific needs, as evidenced by student scores or teacher observations with and without the use of the designated support.

No. Students should be provided opportunities to complete the STAAR online tutorial, as well as the practice tests, prior to test administration. These resources allow students to become familiar with the functionality of the TTS tool and online tests. The tutorial and practice tests are available through the STAAR Online Testing Platform, which operates through a secure browser that must be installed on a desktop or tablet. More information is available at the following link: STAAR Online Testing Platform.