Helping students show what they know
Accessibility resources help students access assessment content and demonstrate their learning.Helping students show what they know
Embedded Files
Three categories
Three categories
Category Who can use it? Examples
Universal Tools All students, based on preference and selection. No IEP or 504 plan required. Highlighter, zoom, digital notepad, mark for review, scratch paper.Designated Supports Students with an identified need, determined by an educator or team, with student Color contrast, masking, noise buffers, separate setting, and certain family input when appropriate. No IEP or 504 required. language supports. Accommodations Eligible students whose IEP or 504 plan specifies the accommodation. Braille, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech for ELA reading passages, when eligibility requirements are met.Category Who can use it? Examples
COACH'S NOTE:Availability and rules vary by assessment, grade, and test portion. Check the current California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix before selecting a resource.
Embedded or Nonembedded?
Embedded or Nonembedded?
These terms describe how a resource is delivered, not who qualifies to use it.
Embedded resources are built into the testing system, such as the digital highlighter or zoom.
Nonembedded resources are provided outside the testing system, such as scratch paper or an approved separate setting.
COACH'S NOTEThese terms describe how a resource is delivered, not who qualifies to use it.
Start with the student's need
Start with the student's need
Consider:
What barrier does the student experience during classroom work?
What tools or supports already help the student?
Can the student use the resource independently?
What does the student say is helpful?
Is the resource permitted for this assessment?
The CAASPP Student Needs Matching Tool helps educators connect student needs with possible designated supports and accommodations. Use it alongside the current matrix.
COACH'S NOTEStart with the barrier, not the tool. A resource chosen from a list rather than froma need usually goes unused on test day.
Practice before test day
Practice before test day
Teach students how and when to use their resources. Give them practice during classroom instruction, on practice tests, and on interim assessments. Watch whether the resource actually helps.
Ask the student
Which tool helped you most?
When did you use it?
Was anything confusing or distracting?
What would you like to practice again?
Coordinate test settings
Coordinate test settings
For summative assessments, work with your site or district CAASPP coordinator to confirm that assigned settings are entered correctly in the Test Operations Management System (TOMS).
Settings saved in TOMS also appear for interim assessments. You can temporarily assign settings for a specific interim in the Test Administrator Interface, but those changes do not update the student’s summative settings in TOMS.
Common questions
Common questions
Does a student need an IEP to receive support?
No. Universal tools and designated supports can be available without an IEP or 504 plan. Accommodations require documentation in an eligible student’s plan.
Is text-to-speech always an accommodation?
No. It depends on the content. For Smarter Balanced, text-to-speech for mathematics and ELA items is a designated support. Access to ELA reading passages through text-to-speech is an accommodation with specific eligibility requirements.
Can every classroom support be used on CAASPP?
Check the matrix first. A resource outside the approved list may require an unlisted resource request and CDE approval. Consult your coordinator before testing.
Match a resource to a student
Match a resource to a student
Coach's NoteStart with the ISAAP Tool.The Individual Student Assessment Accessibility Profile Tool filters available resources by content area and by student need, explains each one, and links to a video showing how it looks in the test delivery system. No logon required.
Filter resources by content area and student need. Generates a file of up to 500 student records that can be imported into TOMS.
Video: Using the ISAAP Tool (10:34)
Step by step walkthorough.
CAASPP Student Needs Matching Tool (PDF)
Printable. Lists designated supports and accommodations by student need. Use alongside the current matrix.A Tools for Teachers professional learning resource, if you want to run this with a team.
Tools
Tools
The state hub. The matrix, the demonstration videos, and the on-demand modules all live here.
Accessibility Resource Demonstration Videos
More than thirty short videos showing each resource from the student testing interface. On the hub page above. English and Spanish.Accessibility Resrouces On-Demand Modules
Year-round training on matching resources to students and using them in daily instruction. Module A is the one on matching.Permitted resources and assessment restrictions.
Give students experience using the interface and their resources.
COACH'S NOTEShow students the demonstration video for their own resource before test day. Seeing the tool render in the actual interface removes most of the surprise, and it takes ninety seconds.
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