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State Variations in Accommodations Policy and Practice. Martha L. Thurlow University of Minnesota. Questions. What terminology is used by states, and are terms clearly defined? What groups of students are eligible to use assessment accommodations?
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State Variations in Accommodations Policy and Practice Martha L. Thurlow University of Minnesota
Questions • What terminology is used by states, and are terms clearly defined? • What groups of students are eligible to use assessment accommodations? • What decision-making criteria are provided in states’ policies? • What are the most controversial accommodations and what are policies like for these?
Study Procedures NCEO [Collected policies through Sept 2001] Update of previous analyses • Requested newest policy from all 50 states • Completed grids for all states and all accommodations (with notations) • Sent data to state for verification • Made changes only with written documentation
Groups Eligible All Students Special Circumstances 504 Plan Students IEP Students 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Number of States
15 Most Controversial Accommodations Number of States Allowing: Without With Braille 35 14 Read Aloud* 5 41 Sign Language Interpretation 37 8 Read/Re-read/Clarify Directions* 29 10 Calculator* 14 23 *One state prohibits use
15 Most Controversial Accommodations Number of States Allowing: Without With Audio/Video Cassette** 16 9 Abacus* 13 6 Proctor/Scribe 31 17 Computer or Machine* 30 9 Tape Recorder 21 8 *One state prohibits use ** Two states prohibit use
15 Most Controversial Accommodations Number of States Allowing: Without With Communication Device 27 8 Spell Checker/Assistance*** 7 9 Extended Time** 26 16 With Breaks 33 10 Over Multiple Days* 19 6 *2 states prohibit use **3 states prohibit use ***11 states prohibit use
Accommodation practice is evident in: • Perceptions (use is increasing) • Available Data (only as good as people recording the data) • Legal Activity (challenges in court, out-of-court settlements, and threatened court cases)
Conclusions • Significant changes since the early 1990s in policies • Great variability in accommodation policies and practices exists, but trend toward more consistency is evident • Disconnect continues between policy, practice, and research