ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program : 

ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program TETN #10414 August 11, 2011 1 Texas Education Agency’s Student Assessment Division

Agenda : 

Agenda Training-Related Acronyms ARD Committee Resources Web Page Who takes what test? The 4 Steps to Making Assessment Decisions Participation Requirements Factors to Consider When Making Assessment Decisions TEA’s Student Assessment Division: Additional Resources 2 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

Training-Related Acronyms: 

Training-Related Acronyms TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program 3 ARD - Admission, Review , and Dismissal DAP - Distinguished Achievement Program ELL - English Language Learners EOC - End-of-Course IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IEP - Individualized Education Program LAT – TAKS linguistically accommodated t esting LEP - Limited English Proficiency LPAC - Language Proficiency Assessment Committee MHSP - Minimum High School Program STAAR - State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness STAAR L - Linguistically accommodated version of STAAR TAC - Texas Administrative Code TAKS - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills TAKS – Alt - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Alternate TAKS – M - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Modified TEA - Texas Education Agency TEKS - Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills TETN - Texas Education Telecommunication Network PEIMS - Public Education Information Management System RHSP - Recommended High School Program

ARD Committee Resources Web Page: 

ARD Committee Resources Web Page The 2011-2012 ARD Committee Manual will NOT be posted at this time This training PowerPoint takes the place of the manual for now Teacher tools and other helpful resources will be posted as soon as possible: Assessment program comparison chart List of required statewide assessments by grade level Access to the grade-level curriculum document TAKS–M versus STAAR Modified comparison chart Graduation flowchart Participation requirements Frequently asked questions Student scenarios 4 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

Who takes what test?: 

Who takes what test?

Who takes TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and/or TAKS–M?: 

Who takes TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and/or TAKS–M? Students in grade 10, 11, or 12* * TAKS and TAKS (Accommodated) exit level tests and retests are available for students in grade 12. TAKS–M is not considered an exit level test and is not available for students in grade 12. The applicable exit level/grade 11 assessment for students repeating grade 9 is TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), or TAKS – M. However, TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and TAKS – M grade 9 tests will not be available in 2011–2012. Students repeating grade 9 will not be assessed in 2011–2012. 6 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

Who takes STAAR, STAAR Modified, and/or STAAR Alternate?: 

Who takes STAAR, STAAR Modified, and/or STAAR Alternate? Students in grades 3-8 entering grade 9 Students in grades 3 through 11 who are eligible for an alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards will take STAAR Alternate beginning in 2011–2012. TAKS–Alt will no longer be available. It is important to note that there is no STAAR (Accommodated); however, eligible students will be allowed accommodations on STAAR. Visit the Accommodations Resources web page for more information. 7 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

What Tests Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take?: 

What Tests Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take? TAKS Program Same tests as on earlier TAKS slide, with addition of Grade 10 LAT for small number of LEP-exempt immigrant ELLs who receive special education services For TAKS program, no changes to LEP exemptions LEP postponements for exit level Participation requirements for unschooled asylees/refugees More information in 2010–2011 LPAC Decision-Making Process for the Texas Assessment Program manual: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/lpac/

What Tests Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take?: 

What Tests Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take? STAAR Program STAAR in English STAAR in Spanish (grades 3-5) STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate STAAR L in English STAAR L – linguistically accommodated STAAR tests for eligible ELLs Available for math, science, and social studies, grade 3 and above, including EOC No STAAR L forms of STAAR Modified but linguistic accommodations available for eligible ELLs who take STAAR Modified STAAR L participation criteria to be somewhat different from TAKS LAT Participation criteria to be in revised commissioner of education rules (proposed rules expected early fall)

What Tests Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take?: 

What Tests Do ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Take? TELPAS Program For ELLs grades K–12 Listening, speaking, reading, writing Measures annual growth in English language acquisition In very rare cases ARD committee and LPAC may determine that student should not be assessed in one or more domains due to student’s particular disability More information in 2010–2011 LPAC Decision-Making Process for the Texas Assessment Program manual: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/lpac/

ELLs Receiving Special Education Services: 

ELLs Receiving Special Education Services Reminders: These students have special needs related to a disability as well as needs related to second language learning The ARD committee and LPAC must work together to ensure that instruction is tailored to meet each student’s special education and second language acquisition needs collaborate on assessment and accommodation decisions and document the decisions appropriately (for ARD committee, in IEP; for LPAC, document in student’s permanent record file) More information on ARD committee and LPAC collaboration: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/ardlpac.html

The 4 Steps to Making Assessment Decisions: 

The 4 Steps to Making Assessment Decisions

1. Review the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP). : 

1. Review the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP). ARD committees should have a clear understanding of the student’s performance in the grade-level/course TEKS, including the student’s strengths, current areas of need, and accommodations, modifications, or supports the student has used. 13 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

2. Review the student’s instructional plan. : 

2. Review the student’s instructional plan. The instructional plan includes the accommodations, modifications, or supports the student will need in order to access the grade-level/course TEKS. ARD committees should have a clear understanding of how the student will access the grade-level/course curriculum. This is the basis for making appropriate assessment decisions. 14 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

3. Determine the appropriate assessment for the student.: 

3. Determine the appropriate assessment for the student. The ARD committee must understand What statewide assessments are required and available (STAAR, STAAR Modified, STAAR Alternate, STAAR L, TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS – M, LAT) The assessed TEKS The design and format of each statewide assessment The state’s accommodation policies The implications of taking a particular statewide assessment Participation in the general assessment, STAAR, should be the first consideration when determining the appropriate assessment for a student. If STAAR, with or without accommodations, is not appropriate for a student, ARD committee must review participation requirements for one of the alternate assessments 15 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

PowerPoint Presentation: 

If the assessment decision made at a previous meeting needs to be revised, it must be based on a change in instruction. There must be a difference in how the student accesses the grade-level or course curriculum. Simply passing or failing a state assessment is not sufficient reason to justify revising the assessment decision in the IEP. If the student is an ELL, additional ELL assessment provisions may apply. ARD committee and LPAC collaboration is required. 16 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

4. Document the assessment decision. : 

4. Document the assessment decision. According to IDEA and The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process, when an alternate assessment is selected, ARD committee must document in IEP: Statement of why student cannot participate in general assessment with or without allowable accommodations Statement of why an alternate assessment is appropriate for student, including evidence from IEP that confirms that answer to each of the questions for STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate is Yes or that all criteria for TAKS-M has been met List of testing accommodations consistent with state accommodation policies posted on Accommodations Resources web page For accommodations that require TEA approval through submission of an Accommodation Request Form, document “pending TEA approval” 17 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

PowerPoint Presentation: 

For STAAR Alternate, the teacher will plan the specific supports, materials, and response modes based on the routinely used accommodations documented in the student’s IEP. The individualized preplanning that is required to be documented on page one of the state-required documentation form will become the allowable accommodations that must be used during the observation. All assessment information must be communicated to campus testing coordinator in preparation for statewide testing 18 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

Participation Requirements: 

Participation Requirements

TAKS–M Participation Requirements: 

TAKS–M Participation Requirements TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program 20 To be used only for students in grades 10 and 11 during the 2011-2012 school year New format but same eligibility criteria as previous years References to TAKS–Alt criteria replaced with actual text Posted on TAKS–M Resources web page Look for document with “Updated Summer 2011” in footer

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program 21

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements To be used for students in grades 3 through 8 and students entering grade 9 during the 2011-2012 school year State-required documentation form Should be completed by district staff from ARD committee Must be retained for each student who takes an alternate assessment Can be filed at campus level in IEP (although not a required part of IEP) Three steps to determine if a modified assessment is appropriate for a student 22 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements Step I: Eligibility Criteria Understand all assessment options Circle the subjects/courses for which STAAR Modified is being considered Circle NA, not applicable, for subjects/courses that do not apply to the student Subjects/courses for which STAAR Modified is not being considered Subjects that are not tested at the student’s grade or courses that the student is not enrolled in for the school year under consideration 23 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements For each subject/course for which STAAR Modified is being considered, answer Yes or No to 3 questions: 24 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements 25 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements 26 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements Each Yes answer requires a justification. What page(s) of the IEP contains evidence that the student meets that criterion? If the answer to all 3 questions for each subject/course is Yes, the student is eligible to participate in STAAR Modified for that subject/course. Go on to Step II. If the answer to any question is No, the student is not eligible to participate in STAAR Modified for that subject/course and must participate in one of the other statewide assessments. 27 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements Step II: Discuss Assurances If an alternate assessment is selected, the ARD must discuss: Why general assessment is not appropriate Decision is based on multiple sources of evidence, not solely on previous statewide assessment scores Decision is made by ARD, not administratively Decision is based on student’s educational need, not disability category, racial or economic background, absences, or time/location of service delivery 28 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements For elementary and middle school students, instructional and assessment decisions made now may impact a student’s graduation options in high school For a student taking EOC assessments, the student is enrolled in a course with a PEIMS number that indicates coursework is modified Modified coursework = MHSP = no automatic admission into a Texas 4-year university 29 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Modified Participation Requirements Step III: Summarize Assessment Decisions Indicate the subject/course for which the student has met the eligibility criteria for STAAR Modified. STAAR Modified tests for English III, World History, and U.S. History are not available for the 2011-2012 school year. If a student is eligible for these assessments, he/she will not test this school year. Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics will not be assessed with STAAR Modified. If a student is eligible for these assessments, he/she will not test this school year. 30 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

Some questions we know you will eventually ask:: 

Some questions we know you will eventually ask: TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program 31

1. Why would an ARD committee determine that a student is eligible for STAAR Modified in Algebra II, chemistry, or physics if no modified assessment exists for these?: 

1. Why would an ARD committee determine that a student is eligible for STAAR Modified in Algebra II, chemistry, or physics if no modified assessment exists for these? TEC §39.025 (a) Students on MHSP are required to take assessments for courses for which they are enrolled and for which an EOC assessment exists. EXAMPLE If a student receiving special education services is enrolled in a general Algebra II, chemistry, or physics class, he/she would take STAAR because the education code says that a student must take an assessment if it exists for that course. If a student receiving special education services is enrolled in a modified Algebra II, chemistry, or physics class because he/she receives modified instruction, the ARD committee may determine that the student meets STAAR Modified participation requirements and he/she would not be assessed since STAAR Modified is not available for these courses. 32 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

2. Does the ARD committee have to reconvene if they determined that a student will take STAAR Modified during the 2011-2012 school year prior to these new participation requirements being posted? : 

2. Does the ARD committee have to reconvene if they determined that a student will take STAAR Modified during the 2011-2012 school year prior to these new participation requirements being posted? In all cases, the school must informally review (not an ARD meeting) the new participation requirements and determine if each student is eligible to take the modified assessment. If the student DOES meet the new participation requirements, an additional ARD meeting does not have to be scheduled. Simply update the IEP with the new requirements at the next regularly scheduled ARD meeting. If the student DOES NOT meet the new participation requirements, an additional ARD meeting will have to be scheduled to discuss a change in the assessment decision. 33 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements Same eligibility criteria questions that were used for TAKS-Alt: Does the student have a significant cognitive disability? Note: A significant cognitive disability limits the student’s potential to reach grade-level expectations; whereas, a student with a learning disability has the potential to reach grade-level expectations, but has difficulty doing so as a result of the disability. Does the student require specialized supports to access the grade-level curriculum and environment? Does the student require intensive, individualized instruction in a variety of settings? 34 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements: 

STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements Does the student access and participate in the grade-level TEKS through prerequisite skills? Note: A student who accesses the grade-level TEKS through modified instruction should not be designated for STAAR Alternate. Does the student primarily demonstrate knowledge and skills through performance tasks? New STAAR Alternate Participation Requirements posted on STAAR Alternate Resources page 8/8/11 Includes high school course selections with PEIMS codes More information regarding ARD process for determining STAAR Alternate high school assessments provided at 9/7/11 TETN beginning at 1:00pm. 35 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

Factors to Consider When Making Assessment Decisions: 

Factors to Consider When Making Assessment Decisions

Graduation : 

Graduation STAAR Graduation flowchart for students receiving special education services who entered grade 9 in 2011-2012 (and thereafter) posted on the ARD Committee Resources web page Additional training will be provided throughout the year to address questions and comments that educators have e-mailed to Assessment.studentswithdisabilities@tea.state.tx.us TAKS Graduation flowcharts A and B for students repeating grade 9 and in grades 10-12 are updated and also posted on the ARD Committee Resources web page 37 TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program

TEA’s Student Assessment Division: Additional Resources : 

TEA’s Student Assessment Division: Additional Resources TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program 38 Phone: (512) 463-9536 FAX : (512) 463-9302 E-mail: assessment.studentswithdisabilities@tea.state.tx.us TETN Schedule: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/training/tetn-schedule/

ARD Decision Making Process 11-2012 Presentation: 

ARD Decision Making Process 11-2012 Presentation Credits Administrators: Sylvia Cantu, Miguel Chapa Presenter: Cecila Gamez Assistants: Yvette Tristan, Fabian Villarreal In collaboration with the Texas Education Agency QUIZ LinK TEA 8/11/11 ARD Committee Training for the Texas Assessment Program 39