ACCOMMODATIONS: WHAT? WHEN? HOW? - Brenda de la Garza - Region One ESC July 2016

Sep 30, 2026

Training materials defining educational accommodations and distinguishing what accommodations are versus what they are not. The content outlines how accommodations should be individualized, evaluated for effectiveness, and may change over the school year, while clarifying restrictions such as not altering performance criteria or providing unfair advantages. It contrasts accommodations during classroom instruction with requirements for statewide assessment, highlighting facts, myths, and summary guidance. Includes key acronyms and allowable testing procedures for students with disabilities, plus STAAR accommodation structures and options.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Training-Related Acronyms

Accommodation Definition

Accommodations during Instruction versus Statewide Assessment

Testing Options for students with disabilities

Allowable Testing Procedures and Materials

STAAR Accommodations Triangle

Type 1

Individual Structured Reminders

Oral/Signed Administration

Type 2

Accommodation Request Form

Region One ESC-July 2016 | |

ACCOMMODATIONS: WHAT? WHEN?
HOW?
Brenda de la Garza
Region One ESC Adapted from JC Sanders Texas Assessment Conference Presentation | | --- | --- | | | Burning questions?
| | --- | --- | | | Training-Related Acronyms | | | --- | --- | --- | | | 􀀁 ARD -Admission, Review , and Dismissal
􀀁 DAP-Distinguished Achievement Program
􀀁 ELL-English Language Learner
􀀁 EOC-End-of-Course
􀀁 FHSP---Foundations High School Program
􀀁 IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
􀀁 IEP- Individualized Education Program
􀀁 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
􀀁 TEA-Texas Education Agency
􀀁 TEKS-Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
􀀁 TETN-Texas Education Telecommunication Network
􀀁 PEIIMS-Public Education Information Management System
􀀁 RHSP-Recommended High School Program | | | 3 | | | |

ACCOMMODATIONS: WHAT? WHEN? | | --- | --- | 1 Region One ESC-July 2016 | | Accommodation Definition | | --- | --- | | |
What it IS
Are changes to materials, procedures, or techniques
Allow a student with disabilities to participate in grade-level or course instruction
Should be individualized
Can change over the course of the school year based on student needs May be appropriate for classroom use but not allowed on the statewide
assessment
Should be evaluated regularly to determine effectiveness
What it IS NOT
Changes to the performance criteria or content
Necessary for every student
Replace the teaching of the TEKS
Intended to provide a student with an advantage
Be continued without evidence of effectiveness
Provided to an entire group of
students | | | 5 | | | Accommodations during Instruction versus Statewide Assessment
■ Facts:
􀀁 The use of accommodations occurs primarily during classroom instruction.
􀀁 Classroom instruction allows for any techniques and tools to meet the educational needs of each student.
􀀁 The statewide assessment is a standardized tool for measuring every student’s learning in a reliable, valid, and secure manner.
􀀁 Accommodations that invalidate what is being assessed or compromise the security of the test cannot be allowed.
6 | | --- | --- | | | Accommodations during Instruction versus Statewide Assessment
■ Facts:
􀀁 Routine use, student independence, and effectiveness are important considerations when determining accommodations.
􀀁 Some students outgrow certain accommodations while other
students continue to need them throughout the school year or over several years.
7 | | --- | --- | | | Accommodations during Instruction versus Statewide Assessment
■ Myths:
􀀁 A teacher should only use accommodations during classroom instruction and testing if it is also allowed on the statewide assessment
􀀁 Routine accommodation use means every day of the school year
􀀁 Ifa student has EVER used an accommodation in the classroom, use it during the statewide assessment

8 | | --- | --- | Region One ESC-July 2016 | | Accommodations during Instruction versus Statewide Assessment
■ Summary:
􀀁 Policies for accommodation use on statewide assessments should not limit an educator’s ability to develop individualized materials and techniques to
facilitate student learning.
􀀁 Instruction is when learning occurs. Instruction comes first, lasts longer, and can be customized to meet the needs of each student.
􀀁 Unlike instruction, statewide assessments must be standardized so that student results can be compared and interpreted.
9 | | --- | --- | | | Therefore
Some accommodations may be appropriate and suitable for classroom

FAQs

What are accommodations in this training, and what should they be based on?

Accommodations are changes to materials, procedures, or techniques that allow a student with disabilities to participate in grade-level or course instruction. They should be individualized and evaluated regularly to determine effectiveness.

What accommodations are not allowed according to the definition section?

The document states that accommodations are not changes to performance criteria or content, are not necessary for every student, and are not intended to provide a student with an advantage. It also notes they should not be continued without evidence of effectiveness or provided to an entire group of students.

How does this guide distinguish accommodations used during instruction from those used during statewide assessment?

It emphasizes that classroom instruction allows any techniques and tools to meet individual educational needs, while statewide assessments must remain standardized and secure. Accommodations that invalidate what is being assessed or compromise test security cannot be allowed, and routine use and effectiveness are important considerations.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by BAd apple