Mcas accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the Spring 2018 mcas grades 3–8 Tests

C. Accommodations for Students Who Are English Language Learners (ELLs)

In addition to universal features and designated features available to all students, the following accommodations are available to ELLs, either with or without disabilities, on MCAS tests.

Table 6. Accommodations for Students Who Are ELLs

#	Accommodations for ELL Students
EL1 (PNP)	Paper-based editions of the grades 38 Mathematics or Science and Technology/Engineering tests may be administered to a first-year ELL student (i.e., a student in his or her first calendar year of enrollment in a U.S. school) with a low level of English proficiency or who has little or no familiarity with technology. (Note: Administering the ELA test to a first-year ELL student is optional)
EL2	Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionary and Glossary (English/Native language) (Note: this accommodation is also available to former ELLs)
EL3.1 (PNP) and EL3.2 (PNP)	Text-to-speech (TTS) (EL3.1) for Mathematics and/or Science and Technology/Engineering tests; or Human read-aloud (EL 3.2) for Mathematics and/or Science and Technology/Engineering tests If administering the paper-based test with a human reader, the test must be read word for word in English, exactly as written. The test administrator may not provide assistance to the student regarding the translation or meaning of words. The test administrator should read with emphasis only when indicated by bold or italicized text. If a human reader is used, the test must be administered in a separate setting either individually or to a group of 2–5 students all of whom are receiving the human reader accommodation. If the TTS-enabled English-only edition of the computer-based test is read aloud to a student using headphones, students may be tested in a typical-size group. If not using headphones, then student must be tested in a separate setting. Note: Reading aloud selected words on the Mathematics and/or Science and Technology/Engineering tests is a universal accessibility feature (UF10). See Table 1.
EL4.1 (PNP) and EL4.2 (PNP)	Scribe for the Mathematics and/or STE tests, using either a human scribe records student’s responses verbatim at the time of testing (EL4.1); or Accommodations for ELLs student dictates responses using speech-to-text or other external communication device, with subsequent transcription by an adult, either onscreen or in the student’s answer booklet (EL4.2)
EL5	Read aloud/repeat/clarify general administration directions in English
EL6	Read aloud/repeat/clarify general administration directions in student’s native language (if native language speaker is available)

Table 7 provides guidance regarding the suitability of ELL accommodations based on the English language proficiency (ELP) level of the student.

Table 7. Guidance on Selecting Accommodations for English Learners


KEY for Table 7:

• 
  Highly recommended for use by English learners at this ELP level
  

• 
  Recommended for use by English learners at this ELP level
  

 May not be appropriate for students at this ELP level

#	Accommodation	Most Likely to Benefit English Learners at the Following English Proficiency Levels
		Beginning	Intermediate	Advanced
EL1	Paper-based edition of the grades 38 Mathematics or STE tests for a first-year ELL with a low level of English proficiency or who is unfamiliar with technology			
EL2	Approved bilingual word-to-word dictionary and glossary (English/Native Language)			
EL3.1 and EL3.2	Text-to-speech or Human read-aloud for the Mathematics or Science and Technology/Engineering tests (in English)			
EL4.1 and EL4.2	Human scribe or speech-to-text for Mathematics or STE responses			
EL5	Read aloud/repeat/clarify general administration directions in English (by test administrator)			
EL6	Read aloud/repeat/clarify general administration directions in student’s native language (by test administrator)			

Accommodations for ELLs
APPENDIX A
Comparison of New and Previous MCAS Accommodations and Accessibility Features

(Grades 38)
The following table provides a comparison of the current and previous MCAS supports, including the numerical designation of each. For 2018 MCAS and beyond, the Universal Accessibility Features (labeled UF) and Designated Accessibility Features (labeled DF, and available at the discretion of the principal or designee) are available to all students in grades 38, while these had been available previously only to students with disabilities. It should also be noted that the next generation grades 38 MCAS tests will be administered in both computer- and paper-based formats, while previous MCAS tests were administered only on paper, limiting the availability of a small number of the new features and accommodations on the paper-based tests.

#	Previous MCAS Accommodations	#	MCAS Accessibility Features and Accommodations (Grades 38 only)
1	Frequent Breaks	DF3	Frequent supervised breaks
2	Time of Day	DF10	Specific time of day
3	Small Group	DF1	Small group test administration
4	Separate Setting	DF4	Separate or alternate test location
5	Individual	DF2	Individual (one-to-one) test administration
6	Specified Area	DF5	Seating in a specific area of the testing room
7	Familiar Test Administrator	DF8	Familiar test administrator
8	Noise Buffers	DF7	Noise buffer or noise cancelling headphones
9	Magnification or Overlays	UF2, UF3	Colored overlays or tinted lens(es); Magnification tool
10	Test Directions	UF12, EL5	Read aloud, repeat, or clarify general administration directions
11	Large Print	A2	Large print edition
12	Braille	A3	Braille edition
13	Place Marker	UF7	Use a blank place marker to mark a question for return later
14	Track Test Items	A8	Track test items (move from one test question to the next)
14	Test Administrator Redirects Student’s Attention to the Test	UF11	Test administrator redirects student’s attention to the test
15	Amplification	UF8	Audio aids
16	Test Administrator Reads Aloud ELA Composition, Mathematics, or STE tests	A5, EL3.2	Human read-aloud for the Mathematics and/or STE tests
17	Test Administrator Signs the Math, STE tests, or ELA Composition	A6	Human signer for the Mathematics, STE, and test questions only for ELA
18	Use of Electronic Text Reader (Kurzweil 3000) for the ELA Composition, Mathematics, or STE	A4, EL3.1	Text-to-speech for computer-based Mathematics tests or STE tests
19	Test Administrator Scribes the ELA Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, or STE test(s); or Speech-to-Text	A10.1; EL4.1 A10.2; EL4.2	Scribe responses for the Mathematics or STE tests only; OR Speech-to-text
20	Organizer, Checklist, Reference Sheet, or Abacus	A9	Use a Department pre-approved graphic organizer, checklist, or supplemental reference sheet
21	Student Signs or Reads Test Aloud	DF9	Student reads test aloud to self
22	Monitor Placement of Responses	A15	Monitor placement of responses
23	Typed Responses	A12	Typed or word-processed responses
24	Answers Recorded in Test Booklet	A11	Responses recorded in test booklet
25	Other Standard Accommodation	N/A	Unique accommodations request
26	Test Administrator Reads Aloud ELA Reading Comprehension Test	SA1.2	Human read-aloud for ELA test
27	Test Administrator Signs the ELA Reading Comprehension Test	SA2	Sign the ELA reading passages
28	Electronic Text Reader (Kurzweil 3000) for the ELA Reading Comprehension Test	SA1.1	Text-to-speech for computer-based grades 38 ELA tests
29	Test Administrator Scribes the ELA Composition	SA3.1	Scribe responses on the ELA test (grades 38) and grade 10 ELA Composition test
30	Calculation Devices	SA4	Calculation device or mathematics tool
31	Spell- or Grammar-Checking; or Word Prediction for ELA Composition	SA5 SA6	Spell-checker for the ELA test or grade 10 ELA composition test Word prediction for the grades 38 ELA test or grade 10 ELA composition test
32	Other Nonstandard Accommodation	N/A	Unique accommodation request
N/A	Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionary and Glossary	EL2	Approved Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionary and Glossary

APPENDIX B

Sample Form (Optional)

Documentation of MCAS Accommodations

for an ELL Student
Use this form to document the selection of MCAS accessibility features and accommodations for each ELL student. Available accessibility features and accommodations are listed in the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the Spring 2018 Grades 38 MCAS Tests. This form should be completed within 60 days of the start of school year or student’s date of enrollment, and must be updated annually. Accommodations decisions for ELL students with disabilities must also be documented in the student’s IEP or 504 plan.
Student Name: _________________________________________________School Year: ______________

Grade: ____________ SASID: ______________________________________________________________

School: _________________________________________District: ________________________________

Name of staff and others who determined the test accommodations and features for the student:

Teacher(s) _____________________________________________________________________________

Others (including student and/or parent)_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

If the parent and/or student were not part of the decision-making process, then they should be notified of the features and accommodations the student will receive on the tests.

Directions: Indicate below the accessibility features and accommodations that will be provided to the student on MCAS tests.

Accessibility Feature or Accommodation Needed by the ELL Student for Testing	Notes/Comments
(Continue on additional pages as needed.)

APPENDIX C

Sample Form (Optional)

Student Accommodation Refusal

If a student refuses an accommodation listed in his or her IEP or 504 plan, the school should document in writing that the student refused the accommodation, and the accommodation must be offered and remain available to the student during testing.

This form can be completed and placed in the student's file, and a copy sent to the parent. IEP teams, 504 plan coordinators, and educators making MCAS accommodations decisions for ELLs should consider this information when making future accommodations decisions for the student. Use of this form is encouraged, but not required.
Student Name: Date:

Grade: SASID:

School:

District:

MCAS Test:

Test Administrator:

Accommodation(s) refused by student



Reason for refusal:





Comments:




Keep this form on file at the school.

Do not submit this form with your school’s test materials.

APPENDIX D

Timeline for the Transition of MCAS tests to Unified English Braille (UEB)

The state’s transition to Unified English Braille (UEB) from English Braille American Edition (EBAE) and Nemeth Code will occur according to the calendar shown below.

School Year:	2017–2018	2018–2019	2019–2020 (and future years)
Braille format for each MCAS test:	UEB for all grade 35 tests; EBAE with Nemeth Code for grades 6 and above.	UEB for all grade 38 tests; EBAE with Nemeth Code for high school tests	UEB for all grades and tests