Florida Department of Education
�
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services and
€
Office of Assessment and School Performance
€
January 2003
TEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
2003 FCAT
In response to issues raised regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations for
students with disabilities on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT),
Governor Jeb Bush signed an executive order creating the Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Accommodations and Access for Students with Disabilities. The work of the Blue
Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) has resulted in expanded accommodations for students with
disabilities, many of these effective in time for the 2003 FCAT administration.
The table below lists test accommodations that were previously allowed in test
administrations prior to Spring 2003 as well as the expanded accommodations
allowable for the 2003 FCAT. The items in
italics
are currently included in the FCAT test
administration manuals and Rule 6A-1.0943(2), FAC. These items are also indicated
with a mark in the second column. The third column indicates which of the
accommodations are new, based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Blue
Ribbon Task Force on Accommodations and Access for Students with Disabilities and
included in Appendix D of their final report.
In accordance with Rule 6A-1.0943, FAC, school districts may request unique
accommodations for individual students. Unique accommodations usually involve
alterations of existing test materials, must be regularly used by the student for
classroom instruction, and must not alter the underlying content of the assessment.
Each unique accommodation must be approved by the Commissioner of Education prior
to its use. Examples of unique accommodations in the table below are identified by an
asterisk (*).
A. PRESENTATION:
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
VISUAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Regular print versions of the test may be enlarged through mechanical or
electronic means (Item A1).
X
The district test coordinator may request large print version (A2).
X
Braille versions may be requested for students who use Braille
materials. Some test items may be altered in format for Braille versions of
the test as authorized by the Department.Test items that have no
application for the Braille reader will be deleted as authorized by the
Department. Student performance standards that cannot be assessed in
the Braille format will be deleted from the requirements of Section
1008.22, Florida Statutes (A3).
X
The student may use means to maintain or enhance visual attention to
test items (A4.)
X
Item numbers (e.g., A1) correspond to the complete list of proposed accommodations approved by the
State Board of Education on January 21, 2003.
311925
1
Florida Department of Education
€
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services and
€
Office of Assessment and School Performance
€
January 2003
A. PRESENTATION (CONT.):
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
VISUAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Provide student with a copy of directions read by teacher from FCAT
administration script (A5).
X
Mask portions of the test to direct attention to uncovered item(s) (A6).
X
Use colored transparencies/overlays (A7).
X
Secure papers to work area (A8).*
X
Increase spacing between test items (A9).*
X
Fewer items placed on each page (A10).*
X
Positioning tools such as a reading stand (A11).
X
Highlight keywords or phrases in directions to items (A19).
X
AUDITORY ACCOMMODATIONS
23. Signed or oral presentation may be provided for all directions and
items other than reading items. Reading items must be read by the
student through visual or tactile means (A23).
X
Use a reader to read directions and items other than reading items (A24).
X
Repeat, clarify or summarize test directions (A25).
X
X
Allow student to demonstrate understanding of directions (e.g., repeat or
paraphrase) to ensure understanding (A26).
X
X
Use of text-to-speech technology to communicate directions, items other
than reading items (A27).
X
Provide verbal encouragement (e.g., “keep working” “make sure to
answer every question”); may not be used to cue a student regarding
correct/incorrect responses (A28).
X
Use white noise (sound machines) to reduce auditory distractions (A29).
X
B. RESPONDING:
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
ACCOMMODATIONS TO RESPONSE INPUT
The student may use varied methods to respond to the test, including
written, signed and verbal response. Written responses may include the
use of mechanical and electronic devices. A test administrator or proctor
may transcribe student responses to the format required by the test.
Transcribed responses must accurately reflect the response of the
student, without addition or edification by the test administrator o
r
proctor
(B1).
X
Dictate responses to proctor (B2).
X
Use of speech-to-text technology to indicate answers (B3).
X
Use of computer switch to indicate answers (B4).
X
Use of computer/alternative keyboard to indicate answers (B5).
X
Use of pointing device to indicate answers (B6).
X
Use of other communication devices to indicate answers (B7).
X
Enter answers directly into test booklet (B8).
X
Signing responses to interpreter (B9).
X
Dictate responses into a tape recorder (B10).
X
Item numbers (e.g., A1) correspond to the complete list of proposed accommodations approved by the
State Board of Education on January 21, 2003.
2
311925
€
Florida Department of Education
€
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services and
€
Office of Assessment and School Performance
€
January 2003
B. RESPONDING (CONT.):
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
ACCOMMODATIONS TO RESPONSE INPUT
Use of special paper such as raised, line, shaded line, or color-decoded
for long or short response (would require that responses are then
transcribed) (B11).
X
Use of math guides to organize mathematical computation (B12).
X
Use of writing guides (grids) to produce legible answers (B13).
X
Check periodically to be sure student is marking in correct spaces (B14).
X
ACCOMMODATIONS TO RESPONSE PREPARATION
Calculator for math problems grades 7 and up (B15).
X
Abacus for all grade levels for students with visual impairments (B16).
X
C. SCHEDULING:
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
The student may be administered a test during several brief sessions
allowing frequent breaks during the testing sessions, within specifications
of the test administration manual. Students may be provided additional
time for the administration of the test.(C1).
X
Specific time of the day for specific subtests (C2).
X
D. SETTING:
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
The student may be administered a test individually or in a small group
setting. The student may be provided with adaptive or special furniture
and special lighting or acoustics (D1).
X
Special lighting (D2).
X
Adaptive or special furniture (D3).
X
Special acoustics such as FM systems to enhance sound or special
rooms to decrease auditory distractions (D4).
X
Increase or decrease the opportunity for movement (D5).
X
Reduce stimuli (e.g., limit number of items on desk) (D6).
X
Other specialized settings (D7).*
X
Administer the test in a familiar place such as the home with a test
proctor present and/or by a familiar person (D8).
X
(students
homebound or
hospitaliz ed)
E. ASSISTIVE DEVICES:
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
The student may use the following assistive devices typically used in
classroom instruction:
If the purpose of the assessment requires complex computation,
calculators may be used as authorized in the test administration
manual. A calculator may not be used on assessments of basic
computation as specified in the test administration manual (E1).
X
Item numbers (e.g., A1) correspond to the complete list of proposed accommodations approved by the
State Board of Education on January 21, 2003.
3
311925
€
Florida Department of Education
€
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services and
€
Office of Assessment and School Performance
€
January 2003
E. ASSISTIVE DEVICES (CONT.):
CURRENTLY
ALLOWED
EXPANDED
ACCOMMODATIONS
IN RESPONSE TO
BRTF
Visual magnification and auditory amplification devices may be used.
For students with visual impairments, an abacus may be used (E2).
X
Technology may be used without accessing spelling or grammar-
checking applications for writing assessments and without using speech
output programs for reading items assessed. Other assistive technology
typically used by the student in classroom instruction may be used
provided the purpose of the testing is not violated. Implementation of
assistive devices must assure that test responses are the independent
work of the student. Unusual circumstances of accommodations through
assistive devices must be approved by the Commissioner of Education
before use (E3).
X
Item numbers (e.g., A1) correspond to the complete list of proposed accommodations approved by the
State Board of Education on January 21, 2003.
4
311925
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