Administering Accessibility Features

and Accommodations on the PARCC

Computer-Based Field Test (CBT)




The purpose of this PPT is to prepare test administrators to
administer accessibility features and accommodations on the
computer-based Field Test (FT).

Review available Field Test accessibility features and accommodations
and administration guidance
Share resources for additional accessibility training, including trainings
on policy, protocol, and operational implementation guidance

For Registration Information & Technical Guidance for CBT, click HERE

For guidance on Selecting and Monitoring accommodations; and
Policies for Operational Administration, click HERE.

Purpose
PARCC Comprehensive
Accessibility Policies
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Features for All
Students


Accessibility
Features*
Identified in advance

Accommodations
**
* Available to all participating students
**For students with disabilities, English
learners, and English learners with
disabilities


Accessibility Features on FT
for All Students
Tool, support, scaffold, or preference that is built into the
assessment system that can be used by any student.

Universal design features expected to benefit a variety of
students and are available to all students.

Provided onscreen, stored in a toolbar, or are accessible
through a menu or control panel, as needed.

During the assessment, students can choose which accessibility
features they need for specific items. Examples include: audio
amplification, highlighting, pop-up glossary, etc.

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Accessibility Features on FT
Identified in Advance
Available to all students (i.e., not limited to students with IEPs, 504 Plans,
or English learners), but will be selected and turned on by school-based
educators prior to the assessment.

Although school-based educators will enable the accessibility features,
the student will decide whether or not to use it. These accessibility
features will be readily available on the computer-delivered testing
platform.

PARCC has developed an optional PARCC Field Test Accessibility Features
and Accommodation Documentation Form. This can be used to assist in
registering on PearsonAccess.

If this form is used, review with test administrators
prior to field testing!



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Adjustments to the test setting, test format, or test administration
procedures that provide equitable access for students with
disabilities, students who are English learners, and students with
disabilities who are also English learners.

Accommodations for the PARCC assessments include:
Accommodations for SWD
o Presentation Accommodations
o Response Accommodations
o Timing and Scheduling Accommodations
Accommodations for ELs
Unique Accommodations
Emergency Accommodations


Accommodations for Students with
Disabilities and English Learners
Administrative Considerations for All
Students
School based teams (including IEP, 504 plan or EL teams as
appropriate) may determine if any student requires any of the
following test administration considerations, regardless of the
students status as a student with a disability or English learner:
Small group testing
Frequent breaks
Time of day
Separate or alternate location
Specified area or seating
Adaptive and specialized equipment, furniture, or lighting

Please note: IEP, 504 and EL teams may still wish to document this in a students
IEP, 504 plan, or EL plan based on individual needs.



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Lets Review the Accessibility Features and
Accommodations that are Available for the
PARCC Computer-Based Field Test.




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Accessibility Features Available for the
Computer-Based Field Test (CBT)





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Accessibility Features for All Students
Available for the Field Test
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Accessibility Features for All Students
Computer Administration Paper Administration
Audio Amplification Auditory Aids
Blank Paper Blank Paper
Eliminate Answer Choices Visual Aids/Organizers
Flag Items for Review Visual Aids/Organizers
General Administration Directions Clarified General Administration Directions Clarified
General Administration Directions Read Aloud
and Repeated
General Administration Directions Read Aloud
and Repeated
Highlighter Tool External Highlighter
Headphones or Noise Buffers Auditory Aids
Line Reader Visual Aids/Organizers
Magnification/Enlargement Device Magnification/Enlargement Device
Screen Enlargement Tool Large Print Test
Pop-Up Glossary Glossary in footnotes
Redirect Student to Test Redirect Student to Test
Writing Tools Spell Checker
CBT Accessibility Features for All
Students Available for the Field Test
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Accessibility Features for All
Students
Administration Instructions
Audio Amplification Student may adjust audio on their device.
Blank Paper Test Administrator provides to students.
Eliminate Answer Choices Students may choose to use this tool embedded into the
platform.
Flag Items for Review Students may choose to use this tool embedded into the
platform.
General Administration Directions
Clarified
Test Administrator clarifies directions for students who raise
their hands and ask.
General Administration Directions Read
Aloud and Repeated
Test Administrator reads directions aloud for all students,
and repeats only to student who raise their hands and ask.
Highlighter Tool Students may choose to use this tool embedded into the
platform.
CBT Accessibility Features for All
Students Available for the Field Test
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Accessibility Features for All
Students
Administration Instructions
Headphones or Noise Buffers Provided by Test Administrator (TA). If using for text-to-speech,
TA will need to ensure headphones are plugged in.
Line Reader Students may choose to use this tool embedded into the
platform.
Magnification/Enlargement Device Students may choose to use this tool embedded into the
platform.
Pop-Up Glossary Students may choose to use this tool embedded into the
platform on pre-selected words.
Redirect Student to Test Test Administrator redirects individual students based on need.
Spell Checker Students may choose to bring their own external device.
Device cannot have embedded grammar check, connect to the
internet, or save information.
Writing Tools On writing tasks, students may choose to use writing tools
(bold, italic, underline, etc.).


Accessibility Features & Accommodation for the
Computer-Based Field Test Identified in Advance in a
Special Registration Session and Unique Form


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CBT Accessibility Features &
Accommodation Available via a Special
Registration Session
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There are three Accessibility Features and one Accommodation that are only
available via computer-based administration on unique forms in special
registration sessions that need to be identified in advance.
Answer Masking
Background/Font Color (Color Contrast)
Text-to-Speech for the Mathematics Assessments
Text-to-Speech for English Language Arts/Literacy


If a student is pre-selected for one of these features, they cannot also be
selected for another at the same time.

Example: A student taking the grade 3 ELA/literacy EOY cannot have both
answer masking and background/font color at the same time. Only ONE can
be selected.






CBT Accessibility Features Identified in
Advance in a Special Registration Session
and Unique Form
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Accessibility
Features
CBT Grades/Content Available Administration
Answer Masking
EOY Only
ELA: Grades 3, 5, 8, 11
Math: Grades 4, 7, Algebra I and Geometry
Identified ahead via selection of
special form. Student may choose to
use this pre-selected tool on an item-
by-item basis.
Background/Font
Color (Color Contrast)
PBA and EOY
ELA: Grades 3, 5, 8, 11
Math: Grades 4, 7, Algebra I and Geometry

*Five color options are available; refer to Field
Test Accessibility Features and Accommodations
Overview or Manual for color options.
Identified ahead via selection of
special form. Applies to the entire
assessment.
Text-to-Speech for the
Mathematics
Assessments
PBA/EOY
Grades 4, 7, Algebra I
(Human reader and human interpreter available
for all grades, if needed.)
Identified ahead via selection of
special form. Student may choose to
click a text-to-speech button to hear
pieces of items/tasks/passages read
aloud via text-to-speech technology
on an item-by-item basis.
SPECIAL REGISTRATION SESSION - UNIQUE FORM AVAILABLE
CBT Accessibility Features No Special
Session (externally provided)
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Accessibility
Features
CBT Grades/Content NOT
Available
Administration
Answer Masking
All PBA in ELA & Mathematics
EOY Only
-ELA: Grades 4, 6, 7, 9, 10
-Math: Grades 3, 5, 6, 8, Algebra II,
Integrated I, II, III
Students may choose to use external masking
cards (e.g. blank paper, straight edge).
Background/Font
Color (Color
Contrast)
PBA and EOY
-ELA: Grades 4, 6, 7, 9, 10
-Math: Grades 3, 5, 6, 8, Algebra II,
Integrated I, II, III
Colored overlays may be used by the student
as need. Font color cannot be changed.
Text-to-Speech for
the Mathematics
Assessments
PBA/EOY
-Grades 3, 5, 6, 8, Algebra II,
Geometry,
Integrated I, II, III
Test administrator will use a password to pull
up the CBT on a teacher device and read aloud
(or sign) the assessment to pre-selected
students according to the Protocol and Math
Audio Guidelines on PARCConline.org.
Students in each grade/content area who need
a human reader will take the same form so
small group administration can occur.
NOT EMBEDDED IN PLATFORM FOR THE FOLLOWING GRADES/CONTENT


Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (SWD)
Identified in Advance via an IEP or 504 Plan and
Available for the Computer-Based Field Test



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Assistive Technology
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Some students with disabilities (with IEPs or 504 plans) may need to bring
assistive technology to equitably access the PARCC Field Test.

For current guidance on assistive technology for the PARCC Field Test, please
refer to the posted guidelines on PARCConline.org.
CBT Presentation Accommodation Identified in
Advance in a Special Registration Session and
Unique Form (or externally provided)
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Accommodation Availability Administration
Text-to-Speech for
ELA/Literacy
Assessment**
(See GUIDANCE p.27-29)

Special CBT Form:
-PBA/EOY
-ELA: Grades 5, 8,
11
Identified ahead via selection of special form. Student may choose to
click a text-to-speech button to hear the ELA/literacy assessment
read aloud via text-to-speech technology.

Human reader and human interpreter available for all grades, if
needed.
No CBT Form:
-PBA/EOY:
-ELA: Grades 3, 4,
6, 7, 9, 10
Test administrator will use a password to pull up the CBT on a teacher
device and read aloud (or sign) the assessment to pre-selected
students according to the Protocol and ELA Audio Guidelines.
Students in each grade/content area who need a human reader will
take the same test so small group administration can occur.
SPECIAL REGISTRATION SESSION AVAILABLE FOR CERTAIN GRADES ONLY
CBT Response Accommodations for
SWD (Identified during Registration)
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Accommodation Availability Administration
Calculation Device and
Mathematics Tools **
(See GUIDANCE p.30)
All Grades
Students use calculator embedded in the platform, or may bring an
external calculation device (e.g., abacus, talking calculator, large
button calculator) as determined by IEP team.
Speech-to-Text
(external device)**
(See GUIDANCE p.31-32)


All Grades
and Content
Areas
Student must be tested individually. Test administrator provides a
microphone (may be embedded in device) and headphones. Student
may choose to speak their written responses and responses will be
captured via speech-to-text technology. Students may edit their
responses outputted. Human scribes will need to input responses
into TestNav according to the posted Scribe Guidelines.

If a human scribe/interpreter is needed, student must be tested
individually. Student may sign responses to an interpreter. Test
administrator scribes student responses according to the Scribe
Guidelines.
Word Prediction**
(See GUIDANCE p.33)

All Grades
Students may bring external word prediction devices for the
ELA/literacy Performance-Based Assessment. Devices cannot
include grammar check, connect to the internet, or save information.
CBT Timing & Scheduling Accommodations for
SWD (Identified during Registration)
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Accommodation Availability Administration
Extended Time
(See GUIDANCE p.34)

All Grades
Student gets extended time accommodation and may have
until the end of the school day to complete a test session. It
is recommended to test students with extended time
accommodations in a separate setting to minimize
distractions for all students, and to schedule these students
for testing in the morning so their testing time can be
extended until the end of the school day, if needed.


Accommodations for English Learners (EL)
Identified in Advance and
Available for the Computer-Based Field Test



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CBT Accommodations for English Learners
(Identified during Registration)
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Accommodation Availability Administration
Extended Time All Grades/Content Areas
Student gets extended time accommodation and
may have until the end of the school day to
complete a test session. It is recommended to test
students with extended time accommodations in a
separate setting to minimize distractions for all
students, and to schedule these students for testing
in the morning so their testing time can be extended
until the end of the school day, if needed.
General
Administration
Directions Clarified
Native Language
All Grades/Content Areas

Test Administrator clarifies directions in students
native language, as requested by student.
General
Administration
Directions Read Aloud
and Repeated Native
Language
All Grades/Content Areas

Test Administrator reads directions aloud and
repeats in students native language, as requested
by student.
CBT Accommodations for English Learners
(Identified during Registration)
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Accommodation Availability Administration
Speech-to-Text
Responses Dictated in
English for the
Mathematics
assessments in English

(See GUIDANCE p.31-32)
All Grades in Mathematics
Student must be tested individually. Test administrator
provides a microphone (may be embedded in device)
and headphones. Student may choose to speak their
written responses and responses will be captured via
speech-to-text technology. Students may edit their
responses outputted. Human scribes will need to input
responses into TestNav according to the posted Scribe
Guidelines.

If a human scribe/interpreter is needed, student must
be tested individually. Test administrator scribes
student responses according to the Scribe Guidelines.

Word-to-Word
Dictionary
(English/Native
Language)
All Grades/Content Areas

Students may bring external published word-to-word
English/native language dictionary. Dictionary may not
include definitions or pictures. If there is no published
word-to-word dictionary available, a unique request for
an electronic word-to-word dictionary can be made.


Unique and Emergency Accommodations and
Student Refusal Form



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Unique Accommodations
For the Field Test, unique accommodations requests must be submitted
to the state at least four weeks prior to testing.

Refer to Appendix F: Unique Accommodation Request Form

For the Field Test, unique accommodations requests will be approved
by the PARCC Accessibility, Accommodations, and Fairness Operational
Working Group.


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Emergency Accommodation
An emergency accommodation is appropriate in cases where a student needs a
new accommodation immediately prior to the assessment due to unforeseen
circumstances.
Cases could include students who have a recently-fractured limb (e.g., arm, wrist, or
shoulder); whose only pair of eyeglasses has broken; or a student returning from a
serious or prolonged illness or injury.

If prior to or during testing, the school principal (or principals designee)
determines that a student requires an emergency accommodation, an
emergency accommodation form must be completed and submitted to the
state.

Please refer to your state point of contact for additional details.

Refer to Appendix G: Use of an Emergency Accommodation on a PARCC Assessment
Student Accommodation Refusal
If a student refuses an accommodation listed in his or her IEP, 504 Plan, or EL
plan (if used by your state), 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.

School test coordinators should work with test administrators to determine if
anyone else should be informed when a student refuses an accommodation
documented in an IEP, 504 Plan or if available an EL plan (if used by your
state).

Please refer to your state point of contact for additional details.

Refer to Appendix H: Student Accommodation Refusal Form
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Additional Resources for
PARCC Accessibility and Accommodations



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Other Accessibility Resources
PARCC Field Test Tutorials w/TestNav 8 accessibility features training
(CLICK HERE)

PARCC Sample Items (CLICK HERE)

PARCC Approved Accessibility Policy Manual & Implementation Guidance
PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual
Overview website page, including implementation appendices A-K
Translation Policy Memo

Field Test Training Module on Accessibility Features and Accommodations
with Computer-Based Testing (CLICK HERE)

Field Test Coordinator Manuals & Field Test Administrator Manuals for CBT
and PBT (CLICK HERE)

Call Toll free: 1-888-493-9888 (7:00 am 9:00 pm EST, Mon. Fri.)
Email: PARCC@support.pearson.com
Online Support and Resources: http://PARCC.Pearson.com/Support


PARCC Support Contact Information
Contact PARCC Support for assistance with:
navigating PearsonAccess
navigating the Training Center
managing student data
setting up test sessions
managing user IDs and passwords
accessing resources
setting up proctor caching
submitting additional orders
shipment inquiries
TestNav
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Thank you for your help in
coordinating the PARCC Field Test!
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