TAKS-M

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TAKS-M
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Q What accommodations are available for
students in general education?

• TEA realized that the Accommodations Manual
  failed to address accommodations for students in
  general education.
• Accommodations for gen. edcolored overlays,
  small group administration,not specific criteria
  required for accommodation
• Changes will be made next year for the
  Accommodations Manual

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Accommodations for Gen Ed Students

• Look on pages 19-25.
• What is checked under TAKS is available for
  students in general education

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Q If ARD determines that a student needs an
accommodation, how can TEA say no?

• There are certain accommodations that invalidate
  the test
• The justification must be child
  focused/disability focused
• If an accommodation is listed in IEP for
  instruction and testing, and the accommodation is
  not listed as acceptable, the IEP should document
  that the accommodation for testing is pending
  approval

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Q Fax is always busy

• Two numbers for fax
• 512-463-9302 or 512-463-8535
• Use Snail mail
• Email

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Changing the test between 1st and 2nd
administration

• Remember, instruction determines test, Not the
  results of testing
• Student does not necessarily meet the
  requirements of TAKS-M because the student failed
  TAKS/TAKS-A
• There are no re-test opportunities for TAKS-M

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Accountability

• TAKS-M TAKS-Alt, only participation
  accountability for AYP (not in state
  accountability until 2010)
• 1 2 are under discussion about how
  percentages will be applied release of decision
  in one or two weeks
• TAKS-M results will be released around Oct 8

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Accountability

• 1st administration TAKS-A
• Student fails TAKS-A
• ARD committee moves to TAKS-M\
• No 2nd administration TAKS-M
• TAKS-A counts for AYP
• Student has finished testing

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If move from TAKS-A to TAKS-M

• ARD must document that there is modified
  instruction that is now taking place
• Significant instruction has been modified
• There should not be that many students that this
  happens for
• Scenario student having recent severe seizures,
  TBI
• All decisions for testing must be decided based
  on instruction

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Testing Decisions

• According to the ARD Guide for the Decision
  Making Process and Accommodations Manual,
  Assessment decisions are NOT to be made
  administratively. They are to made based on
  instruction the student is receiving.

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Q Can ARD committee determine promotion or
retention prior to the 2nd or 3rd administration
of the test so that the student does not have to
take the retests?

• No. According to state law, the student must be
  given three opportunities to show that they can
  pass.
• The student must also be given opportunities to
  receive accelerated instruction.

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Q How do we prepare students for enrolled grade
level assessment when the student is not
receiving grade level instruction?

• The expectation is that students are given access
  to the general ed. Enrolled grade level
  curriculum.
• No simple answer.
• Raise expectations for students in special
  education.

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Q Are the standards set for TAKS-M?

• No, they will be set in early August
• Educators who know curriculum and population of
  students are needed for the standards setting
  committee
• Interested? Let ESC staff know

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Guidance for Graduation

• URL
• http//www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/rul
  es/89.1070.html

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Next TETN for Alternate Assessment

• May 19, 2008
• 100 300 PM