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

II. Accessibility Features for All Students

1. 
   Universal Accessibility Features (UFs)
   

Universal accessibility features are tools and supports that are available to all students on the grades 38 MCAS tests that are either built into the MCAS computer-based test platform or provided by a test administrator on either the computer- or paper-based tests. Although the majority of universal accessibility features will be available on the day of the test to any student who wishes to use them, some must be requested in advance in the student’s Personal Needs Profile (PNP), a section of the student registration system in PearsonAccess^next (PAN). The “(PNP)” designation in Table 1 below refers to a feature that must be documented and/or requested in the PNP prior to the start of testing.

Table 1. Universal Accessibility Features Available to All Students

#	Computer-Based Testing		Paper-Based Testing
UF1	Highlight tool		Highlighter (Used in test booklets, not answer booklets, by students in grades 48; colored pencils may be used by students in grade 3. See Principal’s Administration Manual for details)
UF2 (PNP)	Alternative background and font color (Color contrast); The student can select a color combination for text and background.		Colored overlays or tinted lens(es)
UF3	Magnifier or Zoom tool (Magnifier tool enlarges part of the screen; Zoom tool enlarges or reduces entire screen by pressing Ctrl + or Ctrl -)		Magnification tool or device/low-vision aid
UF4	Line reader tool (Masks text so only part of the text can be viewed at one time)		Tracking device, such as a straight edge or similar tool
UF5 (PNP)	Answer masking (Student selects which answer choices will be shown on the screen)		Mask text or answer(s) using a blank card or cutout
UF6	Answer eliminator (Student marks an “X” through each answer option he or she believes is incorrect)		Use a pencil to eliminate answer choices in test booklet (not for grade 3 tests)
UF7	Item flag/bookmark		Use a blank place marker to mark a question for later review
UF8	Audio aids (e.g., amplification device, noise canceling headphones, or white noise machine. Note: a smartphone may not be used)		Audio aids (e.g., amplification device, noise canceling headphones, or white noise machine, provided a smart phone is not used)
UF9	Notepad for notes or calculations		Scratch paper (required for all students)
UF10	Test administrator reads aloud (or signs, in the case of a student who is Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing) selected words on the Mathematics and/or Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) tests, as requested by the student. The student will point to the word or phrase that he or she needs read aloud or signed. Test administrator quietly reads aloud or signs the selected word to the student. Students using this feature may be tested alongside other students in groups of any size.
UF11	Test administrator redirects student’s attention to the test without coaching or assisting the student to answer any questions (e.g., test administrator reminds student to stay focused; it is not permissible to say, “Add more to your response” or “Make sure to answer all questions.”)
UF12	Read aloud, repeat, or clarify general test administration directions to student, as needed.

B. Designated Accessibility Features (DFs)

Although most students will be tested in their regular classrooms according to the guidelines and schedule intended for all students, principals have the flexibility to test any student, including non-disabled and non-ELL students, using the designated accessibility features described in Table 2, as long as all requirements for testing conditions, test security, and staffing are met.

It is advisable, although not required, to include designated accessibility features in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan of a student with a disability who requires them.

Table 2.

Designated Accessibility Features available to any student, at the principal’s discretion

#	Designated Accessibility Feature
DF1	Small group test administration (May include up to a total of 10 students.)
DF2	Individual (one-to-one) test administration (Student must be tested in a separate setting.)
DF3	Frequent brief supervised breaks
DF4	Separate or alternate test location
DF5	Seating in a specific area of the testing room, including the use of a study carrel
DF6	Adaptive or specialized furniture (seating, desk, or lighting)
DF7	Noise buffer or noise-canceling earmuffs/headphones (Music or other recordings may not be played on headphones worn during testing.)
DF8	Familiar test administrator
DF9	Student reads test aloud to self. Student must be tested in a separate setting, unless a low-volume device such as a ”Whisperphone” is used.
DF10	Specific time of day
DF11	“Stop Testing” policy: If the student does not appear to be responding to test questions after a period of 1520 minutes, the test administrator may ask if the student is finished. If so, the test administrator may collect the student’s test materials and the student can either sit quietly or be excused from the test setting.