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Use Routine Picture Representations for Keywords in Verbal Directions

Pairing familiar pictures/symbols with keywords for a student, particularly one with a significant cognitive disability, in order to support the student’s understanding of the teacher’s verbal directions.

 

Allowable on at least one state assessment Allowable on state assessment: This accommodation is allowable on at least one state assessment. See which tests allow this accommodation

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology (AT): This accommodation includes AT. Be sure AT needs are included as accommodations on the IEP and that the PEIMS code reflects this.

intellectual disability traumatic brain injury autism staar alternate 2 presentation accommodation significant cognitive disability

How to Implement:

  • 1.

    Decide which directions will need picture/symbol support for keywords.

    Decide which directions will need picture/symbol support for keywords.

  • 2.

    Determine which pictures/symbols resonate with the student and produce the same response as the keywords within the verbal directions.

    Determine which pictures/symbols resonate with the student and produce the same response as the keywords within the verbal directions.

  • 3.

    Decide how to prompt the student and adjust your prompting as needed.

    Decide how to prompt the student and adjust your prompting as needed.

  • 4.

    Present the verbal direction with the picture/symbol to the student.

    Present the verbal direction with the picture/symbol to the student.

  • 5.

    Wait at least five seconds for the student to respond.

    Wait at least five seconds for the student to respond.

  • 6.

    Monitor and record your prompting, the student's response accuracy, and the student's engagement to judge instructional effectiveness.

    Monitor and record your prompting, the student's response accuracy, and the student's engagement to judge instructional effectiveness.

  • 7.

    Share progress and effectiveness with the student, the educational team, and the family.

    Share progress and effectiveness with the student, the educational team, and the family.

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Note: Review the STAAR Alternate 2 Test Administrator Manual for presentation instructions during test administration.

State Assessment
Allowability

Some accommodations appropriate for instructional use may not be allowable on a statewide assessment. Select the state assessment to view the implementation policies.

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STAAR Alternate 2 + –

May be used if the accommodation is documented in the student's IEP and follows these guidelines:

  • maintain the integrity of the assessment,
  • avoid leading to or providing the student a direct answer,
  • be used routinely in instruction,
  • reflect the student’s learning styles, and
  • allow a student to respond using a mode that is appropriate for the student.