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Content and Language Supports

This support allows for various types of assistance (e.g., scaffolded directions, assistance with tracking, graphic organizers, simplified language, graphic representations of vocabulary and concepts) to support a student’s understanding of selections, test questions, and answer choices.

 

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.

Examples Include:

  • Check out Classroom Instructional Examples.

  • Content Support: Isolate specific text or information in a selection, in a question, and in a graphic or list that is referenced in the question or answer choices. 

    Example from STAAR Online

  • Content Support: Define literary terms.

  • Content Support: Apply an allowable supplemental aid (e.g., graphic organizer, place value chart, t-chart, graphic of scientific concept, timeline, map) to specific questions or answer choices.  

  • Content Support: Direct student attention to parts of the grade-specific Reference Materials. 

  • Content Support: Include the formula from the grade-specific Reference Materials when the questions specifies the measure or conversion to be performed.  

    Example from STAAR Online

  • Content Support: Provide clarifying information for a graphic organizer, political cartoon, or map.  

    Example from STAAR Online

  • Content Support: Offer supplementary materials.

    • Blank Punnett squares 
    • Writing checklist

  • Content Support: Bullet or separate steps in a process (e.g. multi-step problem, sequence of events).  

    Example from STAAR Online

  • Language Support: Define or clarify construct-irrelevant words, phrases, and sentences using plain language, synonyms, definitions, examples, and consistent language. 

    Example from STAAR Online

  • Language Support: Offer pre-reading text prior to reading selections and editing passages.

    Example from STAAR Online

  • Language Support: Reword complex questions or answer choices to condense text. 

  • Language Support: Reorganize and simplify historical excerpts, respecting the TEKS based academic vocabulary. 

  • Content & Language Support: Provide a visual representation in the selection, question, answer choices, or in the writing prompt by adding graphics, photographs, or animations. 

    Example from STAAR Online

How to Implement:

  • 1.

    Identify the appropriate level of support according to the student’s need and the instructional task to be completed. 

    Identify the appropriate level of support according to the student’s need and the instructional task to be completed. 

  • 2.

    Develop resources for the student's use such as clarifying vocabulary words, rewording complex questions, paraphrasing excerpts, and providing definitions, visual representations (i.e. pictures, photographs

    Develop resources for the student's use such as clarifying vocabulary words, rewording complex questions, paraphrasing excerpts, and providing definitions, visual representations (i.e. pictures, photographs, animations), or pre-reading text prior to a selection.

    You'll get more bang for your buck if you develop your student supports using digital tools such as Pdf Editors. Examples include Adobe Acrobat Reader, KamiOrbitNote, and Equatio Mathspace, which allow you to make interactive pdfs. Teachers can pre-highlight to isolate important information, or can insert links to clarifying information. Pushpins or sticky notes can be added to provide mnemonics, reminders/feedback, or simplified vocabulary. Options for support are endless. 

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  • 3.

    Collaborate with technology staff for websites, apps, and other tech tools that can replicate the functionality of the online features available on the state assessment. View Eduphoria's Content

    Collaborate with technology staff for websites, apps, and other tech tools that can replicate the functionality of the online features available on the state assessment. View Eduphoria's Content Clarifier webinar for testing ideas.

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  • 4.

    Teach the student how to use the supports through modeling and think alouds. Use clear expectations so the student understands how to use them appropriately

    Teach the student how to use the supports through modeling and think alouds. Use clear expectations so the student understands how to use them appropriately in a variety of situations and environments. Frequent reminders could sound something like this, "Friends, anytime you see a blue underlined word/phrase or an arrow button, be sure to click on it to see the helpful clues.”

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  • 5.

    Lead guided practice and provide authentic opportunities for independent practice. 

    Lead guided practice and provide authentic opportunities for independent practice. 

  • 6.

    Monitor and record the student’s progress and the effectiveness of the supports.

    Monitor and record the student’s progress and the effectiveness of the supports.

  • 7.

    Provide feedback to the student. Feedback should be specific and include positive praise for correct use and corrective feedback for inappropriate use. 

    Provide feedback to the student. Feedback should be specific and include positive praise for correct use and corrective feedback for inappropriate use. 

  • 8.

    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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The term “Content and Language Supports” refers to a cluster of accommodations provided only in the online version of STAAR as pop-ups, rollovers, prereading text, and supplementary materials.

Review the TEA policy documentfor details about allowable use of content and language supports during test administration.

Students should complete the STAAR Online full-length practice tests or samplers, or a STAAR Interim Assessment prior to test administration to become familiar with the functionality of pop-ups and roll-overs/online supports. 

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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Type: Designated Support 

Assessments:  All subjects, all grades

Student Eligibility Criteria:

  • instructional and assessment decisions are made by a Section 504 committee; admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee; or a language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) for an English learner (EL) taking a test in English; and
  • that student routinely, independently, and effectively uses the designated support during classroom instruction and classroom testing.

Same as STAAR