Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations

To provide students an equal opportunity to demonstrate what they know and what they can do resulting in an accurate reflection of the student's knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Accessibility and Accommodations - Meeting the Needs of ALL Students

Assessments help teachers and parents know if students are on the path to success. The Smarter Balanced assessment system provides accurate measures of achievement and growth while challenging students to think critically and solve real-world problems. A core principle of the Smarter Balanced system is accessibility for students who take the test. Accessibility resources provided on Smarter Balanced assessments ensure equitable access for students with diverse accessibility needs and preferences (i.e., English Language Learners, students with disabilities). Download the Accessibility and Accommodations Fact Sheet (PDF). Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC): Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines (June 2020) (UAAG).

Purpose and Importance of Assessment Accessibility: Equal opportunity to demonstrate learning

• • Access to instruction

  • Access to classroom and CAASPP/ELPAC assessments

  • Accuracy and validity of test results

  • Standardization and consistency of test administration procedures across:

    • • Aligned with Smarter Balanced policies

      • Aligned with California laws and regulations

Who benefits from accessibility resources?

• • Benefit all students

  • Allow students to show what they know and can do

  • Are not modifications

  • Universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations all yield valid scores

There are three categories of accessibility resources:

• • Universal Tools are available to ALL students on the basis of student preference and selection.

  • Designated Supports are available to ALL students when determined for use by an educator or team of educators (with parent/guardian and student input, as appropriate) or specified in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.

  • Accommodations must be permitted on state tests to all eligible students if specified in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan

Some resources are embedded into the technology platform for the computer-administered tests. Other resources are considered non-embedded since they are provided by the local educational agency (LEA).

Resources