MCAS Accessibility and Accommodations for New Staff Spring

MCAS Accessibility and Accommodations for New Staff Spring 2020 MCAS Tests January 16, 2020

Presenters • Dan Wiener, Administrator of Inclusive Assessment • Robert Pelychaty, Accommodations and Appeals Coordinator • Jodie Zalk, Test Administration Coordinator • Bob Fickes, Pearson Project Coordinator Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 2

Logistics for This Session • Questions may be asked at any time using the Questions feature on the Go. To. Webinar screen. o Questions about a specific student should be sent by email to mcas@doe. mass. edu. o Some questions may be covered during the course of the presentation. o We will answer some questions at the end of this session. o After the session, we will email questions and answers to participants. • This session is being recorded and will be available online in about one week at the MCAS Resource Center. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 3

CONTENTS 01 Participation Requirements 02 What’s New and Notable? Student Registration/Personal Needs 03 Profile (SR/PNP) 04 Accessibility and Accommodations 05 Prepare for Test Administration

01 Participation Requirements

MCAS Participation Requirements • All publicly-funded students must participate in MCAS tests required for their grade. o All eligible students have the right to participate in high school tests and retests (Feb Biology and March retests) o This includes students with disabilities (SWDs) and English learners (ELs) o IEPs and 504 plans must list assessment decisions, including accommodations and alternate assessments. • Participation ensures that students receive instruction based on the MA Curriculum Frameworks. • See the publication Accessibility and Accommodations Manual available at www. doe. mass. edu/mcas/accessibility/. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 6

02 What’s New and Notable?

New and Notable • Virtually all students in grades 3– 8 and 10 are expected to take computer-based tests in spring 2020. o Paper-based tests are available as an accommodation for students with disabilities who are unable to test on a computer, if listed in IEP/504 plan). • For the first time, students in grade 9 may participate in next-generation computer-based Science and Tech/Eng (STE) MCAS tests in: o Introductory Physics o High School Biology • Students in grade 10 may only take legacy STE tests on paper. • This year, February Biology and March retests are offered only on paper. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 8

New and Notable (Continued…) • Individualized graphic organizers and customized supplemental reference sheets may not be used on next-generation ELA and math tests. o Exception: Students taking legacy retests and STE tests may continue to use individualized reference sheets and organizers approved by DESE. o Pre-approved supplemental mathematics reference sheets and ELA graphic organizers for next-gen tests are available at www. doe. mass. edu/mcas/accessibility/organizers/. § These reference sheets and organized may be used as is or with text removed, but text may not be added. • NEW: American Sign Language (ASL) video versions of next-generation MCAS HS Biology and Introductory Physics computer-based tests and practice tests will be available for spring 2020 (ASL practice tests at the MCAS Resource Center). o Grade 10 Mathematics ASL video test format will continue to be available. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 9

New and Notable (Continued…) • Transition to full Unified English Braille (UEB) from previous English Braille American Edition (EBAE) and Nemeth Code will be complete in spring 2020. o All MCAS tests will be given in full UEB, except for March retests and Feb Biology which will be administered in EBAE with Nemeth Code. • Next-generation accessibility and accommodations policies also include students taking legacy MCAS tests/retests. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 10

Team Decisions Needed Before Testing • Team members should review all accessibility and accommodations policies, particularly for high school students. o Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for 2019 -2020 MCAS Tests and Retests at www. doe. mass. edu/mcas/accessibility/manual. docx • Important decisions needed for each student with a disability taking MCAS tests in Spring 2020: o Which accessibility features and accommodations are needed? o Is student able to test on a computer? § Before deciding, give opportunity to view tutorial and take practice tests. o If not, paper tests available as accommodation, but must be listed in IEP or 504 plan o If so, which computer-based features and accommodations will be needed? § For read-aloud, can student use text-to-speech (TTS) with headphones, or does student require a human reader? Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 11

English Learners – Participation Guidelines • ELs are required to participate in all MCAS tests scheduled for their grade, with one exception: o First-year ELs are not required to take the MCAS ELA test, but may participate. o First-year EL students are those who enrolled in U. S. schools after March 2019 SIMS report, and are reported for the first time in June 2019 SIMS or later. • EL Accommodations: Adults familiar with the student should meet to o Consider EL students’ language needs, learning characteristics, preferences. o Review available accessibility features and accommodations for ELs. o Select and document the accessibility features and accommodations that will be provided to the student on MCAS tests. § Sample form to document EL accommodations is provided in Appendix B of Accessibility and Accommodations Manual. 12 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

03 Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP)

What is the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP)? • A collection system for student-level test data, including o student demographic information o registration for specific tests o information on selected accommodations that a student used during testing (Note: Information can be changed until end of testing window) • Used as the basis for initial shipment of test materials to schools, including o Student ID Labels o Test Administration Manuals o Standard booklets, if needed o Special test editions • Accurate SR/PNP reporting will determine order shipment to your school and provide a record of students tested and accommodations they used. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 14

SR/PNP Student Test Screen: Special Test Forms and Selected Accessibility Features and Accommodations q q q Special Test Forms Text-to-Speech Large Print Test Edition Braille Test Edition Screen Reader Edition Compatible Assistive Technology American Sign Language Video (ASL edition) Accessibility Features q Answer Masking q Alternative Background and Font Color Selected Accommodations Human Read Aloud (Math/STE) Human Read Aloud (Special Access - ELA) Human Signer (Math/STE) Human Signer (Special Access - ELA) Human Scribe (Math/STE) Human Scribe (Special Access - ELA) Speech-to-Text (at external work station) (Math/STE) Speech-to-Text (at external work station) (Special Access - ELA) Graphic Organizer/Reference Sheet Typed Responses (for paper-based testing) Calculation Device on Non-Calculator test session(s) (Math only) Spell-Checker (Special Access - ELA) q q q q Word Prediction (at external work station) (Special Access - ELA) q Other Accommodation Not Listed Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 15

Guide to the SR/PNP • Field Definitions describe each accommodation. • Field Notes describe eligibility to receive the accommodation and/or proper completion of screen. • Expected Values indicate options for selecting the accommodation for a student. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 16

04 Accessibility and Accommodations

Accessibility Features and Accommodations (Also see Accessibility and Accommodations Manual) • Universal Accessibility Features (UF): Available to all students, either on computer-based tests or as paper-based equivalent (pp. 3 5). • Designated Accessibility Features (DF): Flexible test administration procedures available to any student, at the discretion of principal (p. 5). o Includes changes in test setting, group size, seating, scheduling • Accommodations (A): Specific supports available only to students with disabilities and English learners. • Special Access Accommodations (SAs): Formerly called nonstandard accommodations, these may be provided to students who meet certain guidelines and criteria (see pp. 21 24). 18 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Universal Accessibility Features (UF) for all students Computer Paper Highlighter Change background/font color (SR/PNP) Colored overlays Screen magnification/ Magnification device Zoom tool Line reader tool Tracking device/straight edge Answer Eliminator Use pencil to eliminate answer choices Answer Masking (SR/PNP) Mask using blank card Item flag/bookmark Place marker Audio aids Human read-aloud (or sign) selected words on Math or STE, as requested by student Repeat/clarify test directions Test admin. Education redirects student’s attention to test 19 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary

Demonstration Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 20

Change background/font color

Line Reader

Answer Eliminator

Designated Accessibility Features (DF) for any student, at principal’s discretion Computer or Paper Small group test administration (up to 10 students) Individual (one-to-one) test administration Frequent supervised breaks Test in separate location Seating in a specified area of room, including study carrel Adaptive or specialized furniture or lighting Noise buffer/noise-cancelling earmuffs/headphones (no music) Familiar test administrator Student reads test aloud to self Specific time of day “Stop Testing” policy: If student is not responding to test questions after 15 20 minutes, test administrator may ask if student is finished. If so, collect the student’s test materials. Student may sit quietly or be excused. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 24

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Presentation Accommodations Computer-Based Paper test, if unable to use computer (SR/PNP) N/A Large print test (SR/PNP) Screen reader for student who is blind (SR/PNP) Braille test (NEW: UEB for all tests except Nov. /March retests and Feb. Bio; EBAE and Nemeth Code) (SR/PNP) Text-to-speech/Human read-aloud for Math, STE (SR/PNP) Human signer for Math, STE, and test questions only for ELA (SR/PNP) Test administrator helps student track test items Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 25

Demonstration Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 26

Text-to-Speech Control Icons

Text-to-Speech NEW Feature: Highlight-and-Listen

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (Continued) Response Accommodations Computer-Based Paper-Based Pre-Approved ELA graphic organizer or Math/STE reference sheet for next-gen Math and ELA tests (only those created by DESE; individualized versions may be used for STE or legacy retests) (SR/PNP) Human scribe (or external speech-to-text device) for Math/STE (Note: 504 plan needed for fractured writing arm) (SR/PNP) N/A Answers recorded in test booklet or on special paper N/A Typed responses (Transcription not needed) Responses recorded (audio or video), then transcribed by student during playback Monitor placement of test responses Braille writer, note-taker, or refreshable Braille display Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 30

Accommodated Test Forms • Accommodated computer-based test forms will be offered, including o text-to-speech (read aloud digitally) o screen reader (only for students with visual impairments, requires software e. g. , JAWS or NVDA) o compatible Assistive Technology (AT) § Most web extensions are currently incompatible with Test. Nav, but developers are working on new compatible versions for the future. o ASL onscreen video: grade 10 Mathematics, and grade 9 Intro Physics and Biology only • Accommodated paper-based test forms will be offered, including o Large-print o Braille o Kurzweil (retests and high school STE tests). Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 30

Special Access Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (formerly called Nonstandard Accommodations) Computer- and Paper-Based Text-to-speech/Human reader for ELA (SR/PNP) Signing the ELA reading passages (SR/PNP) Human scribe (or speech-to-text device) for ELA (SR/PNP) Calculator or other mathematics tool, device, or manipulatives on non-calculator session of Math (SR/PNP) Spell-checker for ELA (SR/PNP) (Note: Available to all students for STE, but not available for Math) Word prediction for ELA (SR/PNP) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 31

Spell-checker Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 32

Criteria for Providing Special Access Accommodations (SAs) • SAs may be provided to a limited number of students who: o are virtually unable to decode text, calculate, write, or spell; AND o receive ongoing intervention to teach these skills. • SAs may not be provided to students simply performing “below grade level. ” • Scores may be invalidated if ineligible students are provided SAs. • Use of SAs will be reported with a notation on o Parent/Guardian Reports o School and District Rosters Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 33

Accommodations for English Learners (ELs) Computer- and Paper-Based Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionary or Glossary (also available for FELs) Paper-based Test (SR/PNP) Text-to-speech/human reader for Math and STE (in English) (SR/PNP) Scribe for Math and STE (SR/PNP) Grade 10 English/Spanish Mathematics Test or Retest (if enrolled up to 3 years) (SR/PNP) Read aloud/repeat/clarify test directions in student’s native language (if native language speaker is available) “Stop testing” policy Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 34

05 Prepare for Test Administration

Preparing for Test Administration • Review IEPs, 504 plans, and PAM Appendix B. • Prepare a list/spreadsheet for test scheduling (suggested): Student Name Dustin Henderson Grade 8 Subject TA Name Room # Accommodation(s) STE Mr. Scott Clarke 208 Hawkins H. • Scribe • Large Print • Order additional special test editions, as needed. o E. g. , large-print, Braille, read-aloud, Kurzweil (Retests and HS STE only) • Only for legacy March retests and STE tests, submit individualized graphic organizers and reference sheets to DESE for approval, if first time or if previously approved before 2019. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 36

Preparing for Test Administration (continued…) • Document accommodations for English learners (ELs) o Use Documentation of MCAS Accommodations for an EL Student – Appendix B, Accessibility and Accommodation Manual, or o Use a locally-developed form • Provide training to those who will provide accommodations o Test administrators o Paraprofessionals and substitutes, if needed o Develop plan to monitor accommodations that require 1: 1 test administration Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 37

REMINDER: Provide these to all students during testing… Provide the following to all students during testing: • Untimed test sessions • Blank scratch paper (including blank, lined, or graph paper) • Assistance from test administrator, as needed, to navigate the computer-based testing platform Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 38

Important Reminder for Computer-Based Testing • Test administrators who provide Human Read-Aloud and Human Signer accommodations will use their own computer and proctor testing ticket to access a “test administrator” edition of the test. o A separate Human Reader PAN Session must be created for these session. o Students will use their own student testing ticket to log into their test. o Do not confuse student’s testing ticket with proctor testing ticket. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 39

Reminders: Paper-Based Testing Accommodations • Review and follow Special Instructions included with special test forms (e. g. , Braille, large-print) to ensure tests are scored properly. • Large-print, Braille, and other responses on special paper must be transcribed into standard combined test & answer booklet, and included with original in Special Handling Envelope. • Typed responses: o One item response per page o Each response must not exceed one page. o Each page must include all parts of each item (i. e. , a. , b. , c. , d…etc. ). Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 40

Testing Irregularities – Use of Prohibited Materials Please report any of the following to the Department as soon as possible after it occurs: • Use of cell phones or other unauthorized devices • English-language dictionary or thesaurus on any next-gen MCAS test o Dictionaries are allowed only for legacy ELA Composition retest. • Unapproved Math reference sheet or ELA graphic organizer, including o Adding text to Department supplemental reference sheets/ELA organizer for next -generation MCAS tests. • Calculator on the non-calculator session of Mathematics test, or human read -aloud on ELA test, for student who does not have this accommodation listed in an IEP or 504 plan Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 41

If a Student Refuses an Accommodation • Document student’s refusal in writing; keep in student’s file. o Sample refusal form — available Accessibility and Accommodations Manual at www. doe. mass. edu/mcas/accessibility/ o Do not make student sign a waiver of their right to receive the accommodation. • Continue to make accommodation available, if needed, for remainder of test administration. • Update information in student’s SR/PNP, if an accommodation was entered incorrectly or was not used. • Notify parent/guardian of student’s refusal. • Amend IEP/504 plan for future testing. o If appropriate, list accommodation in the IEP/504 plan “as requested by student, ” or remove it. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 42

Upcoming Training Sessions • Training sessions are listed at www. doe. mass. edu/mcas/training. html. o Links to register will be posted on that web page approximately one month before each session. • After each session is delivered, it will be posted at mcas. pearsonsupport. com/training/ approximately one week later. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 43

Email and Phone Support MCAS Service Center • Questions on logistics and technology (e. g. , Pearson. Access Next, SR/PNP, Test. Nav) o Web: mcas. pearsonsupport. com o Email: mcas@cognia. org o Phone: 800 -737 -5103 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Office of Student Assessment Services • Policy questions (e. g. , student participation, accommodations) o Web: www. doe. mass. edu/mcas o Email: mcas@doe. mass. edu o Phone: 781 -338 -3625 44

Questions & Answers (Use the “Questions” feature to ask questions. ) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 45

THANK YOU The Office of Student Assessment Services 781 -338 -3625 www. doe. mass. edu mcas@doe. mass. edu 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148