Virginia’s Students with Disabilities Inclusion Guidelines 2017

for Participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

Digitally Based Assessments (DBA) Assessments using Tablets with Keyboards

Grade 4 Writing, Mathematics and Reading

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) expects students with disabilities selected for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Digitally Based Assessments (DBA) will be included as follows:

All students with disabilities who participate in the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, including Plain English Mathematics and Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP), should participate in NAEP using NAEP accommodations as appropriate.

Only students with disabilities who participate in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) may be excluded from any NAEP assessment. Any other students with disabilities must have prior VDOE approval for exclusion. Please contact Wendy Geiger, Virginia NAEP State Coordinator, for information.

NAEP 2017 will not produce results for individual students, schools, school divisions, or states. All NAEP 2017national results are summarized only at the national level. The NAEP assessments do not impact the student or the school, and are instead intended solely to provide a picture of the nation’s educational performance and progress. A student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan should not require revisions for the student to participate in NAEP.

Please note the following differences in accommodation practices for Virginia state assessments and the expectation for inclusion on NAEP.

1)NAEP is a timed test. Students with disabilities who receive additional time on a routine basis on classroom and other assessments are allowed the Extended Time(see Table 2) accommodation on NAEP tests. This does not have to be documented in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

2)NAEP is much shorter than the state assessments, so multiple day testing is not offered. Students who receive a multiple day testing accommodation on the Virginia state assessments should take the NAEP assessments in one day with breaks as needed. Students will complete two 25-30-minute subject matter blocks in only one content area (mathematics or reading) and answer survey questions about their educational experiences. If a student is tested with breaks on a routine basis, please code the Breaks During Testing(see Table 3) accommodation.

3)For the DBA administrations, NAEP assesses students in groups of 25. If a student is tested on a routine basis in a smaller group, please codethe Must Be Tested in a Separate Session (see Table 3) accommodation. NAEP field staff will assist in grouping students into smaller groups.

NAEP tests include short response, extended response, and multiple choice items. Several accommodations provided on Virginia’s assessments are available for all students through universal design elements. The chart below is divided into three sections: Table 1 includes universal design elements that will be available to all students; Table 2 includes accommodations provided by the test delivery system; and Table 3 includes accommodations provided outside the test delivery system. Students are provided earbuds that they may keep and a stylus. Students selected for mathematics or writing will receive scratch paper and a pencil. Students selected for writing will also be provided a mouse.

If you have questions about accommodations for NAEP, please contact Wendy Geiger, Virginia NAEP State Coordinator, at or (804) 786-1939.

Table 1: NAEP DBA Assessments
NAEP Universal Design Elements
Available to All Students
NAEP
Universal Design Element / NAEP Subject / NAEP Universal DesignElement Description / Notes for Virginia
Zooming / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / Tool to enlarge content onscreen up to 2 times the default text/image size. Students can change text sizes ranging from approximately 12-point font to approximately 24-point font. Twenty-four point font is approximately 1/3-inch tall.
NOTE: Does not include the toolbar, item tabs, scrollbars, calculator, and equation editor. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates use of the zooming tool.
If the zooming universal design element will not be sufficient, code theMagnification (seeTable 2) accommodation.
One-on-One/Small Group / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / All students are interacting on a one-on-one basis with the tablet and will have earbuds to reduce distractions.
Read Aloud and other accommodations will be provided through the tablet and will not distract other students in the room.
NOTE: Students will be tested in the regular session with up to 25 other students. If students need to be assessed in a smaller group, please code the accommodation Must Be Tested in a Separate Session. / If the student needs a group smaller than 25, code theMust Be Tested in a Separate Session(seeTable 3)accommodation.NAEP field staff will assist in grouping students into smaller groups.
Directions Only Read Aloud/
Text-to-Speech (English) / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / General directions are read aloud to all students. Directions within the assessment can be selected and read aloud by the system using text-to-speech. / The NAEP DBA tutorial includes how to select some or all the text for text-to-speech.
Read Aloud/Text-to-Speech (English) –
Occasional or Most or All / Mathematics and Writing
Not Allowed for Reading / Students select some or all text to be read aloud by the system using text-to-speech.
Read Aloud/Text-to-Speech (English) – Occasional or Most or All is not allowed for reading passages or reading items. / In addition to the directions, the NAEP DBA testing system’s text-to-speech is available to all students for the entire assessment except for reading. The testing system has the capability for students to highlight text to be read aloud. The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to select some or all of the text for text-to-speech.
All students are provided with earbuds; however they may use their own earbuds or headsets if desired. The NAEP field staff can provide a limited number of headsets upon request.
For students selected for NAEP reading, an additional parent letter is available notifying parents that the read-aloud accommodation will not be provided for NAEP and that NAEP does not provide individual student, school, or school division level data. Additional parent letters are available on MyNAEP, the secure website for schools, or by contacting Wendy Geiger, Virginia NAEP State Coordinator.
Use a Computer/Tablet to Respond / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / All students respond on NAEP-provided tablets. / Virginia students should be accustomed to using technology for testing.
Color Theming / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / Students have a choice of three color contrast options, including one high-contrast option. The default is black text on white background and the two other options are white text on black background and black text on beige background.
NOTE: This tool is not available for the tutorial and some items. If students need all content in high contrast, please code the accommodation High Contrast for Visually Impaired Students. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to adjust contrast or colors.
Scratchwork/
Highlighter Capability / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / Allows freehand drawing and highlighting on the screen. The scratchwork/highlighter tool is available for most content. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to use the tools.
Elimination Capability / Mathematics and Reading
Not Allowed for Writing / Allows students to gray out answer choices for multiple-choice items.
NOTE: This tool is not available for constructed-response items.
Elimination Capability is not available for writing because there are no multiple choice items. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to use the tools
This capability is not needed for writing since the assessment consists only of responses to two prompts.
Volume Adjustment / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / Some portions of the assessment feature audio, such as text-to-speech or multimedia item content. Students may raise or lower the volume using a control on the tablet. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to use the tools.
Closed Captioning / Mathematics, Reading, Writing / All voice-over narration is closed captioned. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to use the tools.
Electronic Spellcheck and Thesaurus / Writing
Not Allowed for Mathematics or Reading / Incorporated into the interface with automatic and user-prompted activation options.
Electronic Spellcheck and Thesaurus is only allowed for writing. / The NAEP DBA tutorial demonstrates how to use the tools.
Table 2: NAEP DBA Assessments
NAEP Accommodation Provided by Test Delivery System
Available to Students on an IEP or Section 504 Plan
NAEP Accommodation / NAEP
Subject / NAEP Accommodation Description / Notes for Virginia
Extended Time / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation requires that students be given extra time to complete the assessment.
NOTE: If state test is untimed, students may or may not require extended time on NAEP. NAEP is a timed but not a “speeded” test (it is not designed to evaluate how many questions a student can answer in a limited amount of time). Generally, most students are able to complete the NAEP cognitive sections in the time allowed. / NAEP is a timed test.Students with disabilities who receive additional time on a routine basis on classroom and other assessments are allowed the Extended Time accommodation on NAEP tests. This does not have to be documented in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.
Magnification / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / For students requiring magnification of all assessment content, including tools, menus, calculator, and equation editor. Screen magnification software allows students to scroll over a portion of the screen to magnify the content on the screen.
NOTE: See Zooming under universal design elements to determine if students need additional magnification. / Code this accommodation if the Zoominguniversal design function for all students (seeTable 1)will not be sufficient.
Low Mobility Version of the Test / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation provides a test form with items that are keyboard navigable and do not require the use of the mouse or touch-pad. / Code this only for students with low mobility who cannot use a mouse or touch pad.
Calculator Version of the Test / Mathematics
Not Available for Reading or Writing / This accommodation provides a mathematics test form that permits the use of a calculator. The calculator is an onscreen calculator provided as part of the assessment system.
Calculator Version of the Test is only available for mathematics. / Code this accommodation only for students whose IEP stipulates use of a Calculatorfor thesection of the Mathematics Standards of Learning(SOL) assessment in which a calculator is not allowed.
Hearing Impaired Version of the Test / Writing
Not Allowed for Mathematics or Reading / This accommodation provides a test form that has all auditory content closed captioned.
Hearing Impaired Version of the Test is only needed for writing since a prompt may contain an oral presentation. / Code this accommodation for a student selected for writing that has a hearing impairment.
High Contrast for Visually Impaired Students / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation is for visually impaired students who require high contrast of all content. A special form is provided with all content that is compatible with high contrast, white text on black background. / Code this accommodation if a student needs the high contrast for all content.
Table 3: NAEP DBA Assessments
NAEP Accommodation Provided Outside Test Delivery System
Available to Students on an IEP or Section 504 Plan
NAEP Accommodation / NAEP
Subject / NAEP Accommodation Description / Notes for Virginia
Breaks During Testing / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation requires that the student be allowed to take breaks as requested or at predetermined intervals during the assessment. This also could mean that the student is allowed to take the assessment in more than one sitting during a single day. / All NAEP testing must be conducted on a single day.
Code this for any student needing frequent, short breaks or needing a break between each of the sections. All NAEP testing must be conducted on a single day. Since NAEP is much shorter than the Virginia Standard of Learning (SOL) assessments, most students who usually take an SOL assessment over multiple days should be administered NAEP with breaks.
Consider also coding theMust Be Tested in a Separate Session (see Table 3) accommodationto avoid disruptions to other students if a student needs very frequent breaks.
Must Be Tested in a Separate Session / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation requires that the student be tested away from other students in a separate testing area.
NOTE: This could be a small group or one-on-one. / Code this for ANY student who participates in the Virginia assessment program in a small group or one-on-one. NAEP field staff will assist in grouping students into smaller groups.
Must Have an Aide Present in the Testing Room / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation requires that the aide the student regularly works with be present in the testing room while the assessment is being conducted.
NOTE: Only trained NAEP staff may conduct a DBAassessment session. / School staff are encouraged to be in the testing session.
NOTE: Only trained NAEP staff may conduct a DBAsession.
Uses Template / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This is a cutout or overlay provided by the school that is used to focus a student’s attention on one part of a screen by obscuring the other parts of the screen. / The school will need to provide the template(s).
Specify any template(s) needed by the student.
Special Equipment / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This is a study carrel or portable screen provided by the school used to limit distractions for a student. It may also include special light and furniture used by the student. / The school will need to provide any special equipment.
Specify any special equipment needed by the student.
Preferential Seating / Mathematics, Reading. Writing / This accommodation requires that the student sit in a designated area for the assessment, such as away from other students to limit distractions; a location where there is access to special equipment; or close to the front of the room so the student can see or hear more easily. / The school will need to specify any special seating.
Include this NAEP accommodation if a student needs special seating.
Cueing to Stay on Task / Mathematics and Reading / This accommodation requiresthat a school staff memberprovide students with a verbal or nonverbal cue to begin a task or to refocus on a task.
NOTE: Nonverbal cueing is NOT allowed in Virginia. / In Virginia, this is called: Specific Verbal Prompts*
Students with disabilities who have difficulty focusing on the SOL assessments may receiveverbal prompts from the examiner. The only prompts that may be used by the examiner for thispurpose are:
  • “Please continue with your test.”
  • “Keep working.”
  • “Keep going.”
  • “Focus.”
  • “Stay focused.”
All other verbal prompts must be approved by the Virginia Department of Education using theSpecial Assessment Accommodation Request form before the prompts are used on any SOL tests.
Virginia Department of Education Students with Disabilities: Special Test Accommodations, P. 15
NOTE: Nonverbal cueing is NOT allowed in Virginia.
Responds Orally to a Scribe / Mathematics and Reading
Not Allowed for Writing / This accommodation requires that the student respond orally to a scribe provided by the school or respond by pointing to his/her answers. The scribe then records the student’s responses on the tablet
Responds Orally to a Scribe is not allowed for writing. / The school will need to provide the scribe. NAEP DBA tablets do not include speech-to-text.
Also codethe Must Be Tested in a Separate Session(seeTable 3) accommodation.
Consider also codingthe Extended Time(seeTable 2) accommodation.
NOTE: Only trained NAEP staff may conduct a DBA session.
Presentation in Sign Language / Mathematics and Writing
Not Allowed for Reading / This accommodation requires that a qualified sign language interpreter at the school sign the instructions included in the session script and some or all of the test questions or answer choices for the student. Presentation in Sign Language is not allowed for reading passages or test questions.
NOTE: If a student needs directions signed for reading, please codeOther (specify) and note the needed accommodation. / The school will need to provide the person to sign the instructions as well as some or all of the test questions or answer choices.
If the some or all of the test questions or answer choices are being signed, also code theMust Be Tested in a Separate Session(seeTable 3) accommodation.
Consider also coding the Extended Time(seeTable 2) accommodation.
Students selected for NAEP reading may have only the directions signed. Please indicate this in the Other (specify) section.
NOTE: Only trained NAEP staff may conduct a DBA session.
Response in Sign Language / Mathematics and Reading
Not Allowed for Writing / This accommodation requires that the hearing impaired student signs his/her responses to a scribe provided by the school who records the responses on the tablet.
Response in Sign Language is not allowed for writing. / The school will need to provide the scribe who can read sign language.
Also codethe Must Be Tested in a Separate Session (seeTable 3) accommodation.
Consider also codingthe Extended Time (see Table 2) accommodation.
NOTE: Only trained NAEP staff may conduct a DBA session.
Braille Version of the Test / Mathematics and Reading
Not Allowed for Writing / This accommodation provides a paper-and-pencil Braille test form.
NOTE: If a student needs to respond in Braille, codeOther (specify) and note the needed accommodation. The student records his/her answers using a Braille output device, a slate and stylus, or an electronic Braille note taker provided by the school, or uses a scribe to record the answers (see Responds Orally to a Scribe accommodation). / The school will need to provide the Braille output device or scribe.
Also codethe Must Be Tested in a Separate Session (seeTable 3) accommodation.
Consider also codingthe Extended Time (see Table 2) accommodation.
NOTE: Only trained NAEP staff may conduct a DBA session.
Other (specify) / Mathematics, Reading, and Writing / Any accommodations not listed above. Please check with Wendy Geiger, Virginia NAEP State Coordinator, to see if other accommodations are allowed on NAEP. / All students with disabilities who participate in the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, including Plain English Mathematics and Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP) tests, should participate in NAEP using NAEP accommodations as appropriate.
Only students with disabilities who participate in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) may be excluded from any NAEP assessment. Any other students with disabilities must have prior VDOE approval for exclusion. Please contact Wendy M. Geiger, Virginia NAEP State Coordinator, for information+.

NOTE: Only students with disabilities who participate in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) may be excluded from any NAEP assessment. Any other students with disabilities must have prior VDOE approval for exclusion. Please contact Wendy Geiger, Virginia NAEP State Coordinator, at or (804) 786-1939 for information.