California Student Assessment Accessibility - Science - Universal Tools Designated Supports

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk

Graphic and accompanying guidance for science accessibility in California student assessments, outlining universal tools and designated supports available to all students, including embedded and non-embedded options such as breaks, calculator, digital notepad, keyboard navigation, line reader, highlighting, and science tools (e.g., charts and rulers). It also covers availability of specialized accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans and notes testing procedures for the California Alternate Assessments, including one-on-one administration and limitations on independent interface use.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Universal Tools Designated Supports

Embedded resources

Non-embedded resources

Accommodations for IEP and Section 504

California Alternate Assessments (CAAs)

Administration and procedure notes

2020–2 1 California Student Assessment Accessibility Graphic for Science Available to All Students Universal Tools Designated Supports Embedded Breaks Calculator1,2 Digital notepad English glossary Expandable items Expandable passages Highlighter Keyboard navigation Line reader Mark for review Math tools (i.e. , embedded ruler, embedded protractor) Science charts Science tools Strikethrough Writing tools Zoom (in/out) Non-Embedded Breaks Scratch paper Embedded Color contrast Masking Mouse pointer (size and color) Streamline Text-to-speech2 Translations2 (glossary) Translations2 (Spanish stacked) Turn off any universal tool Non-Embedded 100s number table Amplification Calculator1 Color contrast Color overlay Magnification Medical supports (restricted settings) Multiplication table Noise buffers Read aloud Science charts (state-approved) Scribe Separate setting Simplified test directions Translated test directions Available to Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan Accommodations Resources for the California Alternate Assessment Embedded American sign language2 Audio transcript (includes braille transcript) Braille2 Closed captioning2 Non-Embedded Abacus Alternate response options Large-print special form (as available) Print on demand Speech-to-text Word prediction All eligible students shall have any instructional supports and/or accommodations, including the language of instruction, used in their daily instruction in accordance with each student’s IEP. The administration of the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) to eligible students shall be one-on-one (test examiner to student), according to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) manual. Depending on the student’s disability or needs, the CAAs mayor may not include the student’s independent use of the testing interface. Because the CAAsare given to students one-on-one by a test examiner, some embedded resources are not provided. For example, while a braille version of the testis not provided, the test may be presented using an embosser ora refreshable display. 1 Basic calculator for grade five; scientific calculator for grade eight and high school. 2 Resource not available forthe CAAs. California Department of Education October 2020 Refer to the Accessibility Resources Matrix web page at [https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/accessibilityresources.asp](https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/accessibilityresources.asp for additional)[ for additional](https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/accessibilityresources.asp for additional) information.

FAQs

Which universal tools and supports are available to all students for the science assessment?

The document lists universal tools designated supports, including embedded and non-embedded options such as keyboard navigation, line reader, highlighter, breaks, calculator, digital notepad, and science charts/tools.

Are CAAs administered one-on-one, and can students always use the testing interface independently?

CAAs are administered one-on-one by a test examiner. Depending on the student’s disability or needs, the CAAs may or may not include the student’s independent use of the testing interface.

What accommodations are referenced for students with an IEP or a Section 504 Plan?

It states that eligible students with an IEP or Section 504 Plan should have instructional supports and/or accommodations, including language of instruction, used in daily instruction, and it lists additional accommodations resources tied to those plans.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk