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Nodding Head or Gesturing in the Direction of an Answer

The educator presents more than one answer choice to the student. The student nods or gestures in the direction of the answer choice when presented with questions.

 

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

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How to Implement:

  • 1.

    Decide how to show answer choices to the student (verbally, visually, with objects, or another way). Prepare materials for each answer choice, if needed.

    Decide how to show answer choices to the student (verbally, visually, with objects, or another way). Prepare materials for each answer choice, if needed.

  • 2.

    Ask the student if they will gesture or nod for each answer choice.

    Ask the student if they will gesture or nod for each answer choice.

  • 3.

    Establish how the student will know it is time to respond. Consult the student's IEP to determine the best way to prompt.

    Establish how the student will know it is time to respond. Consult the student's IEP to determine the best way to prompt.

  • 4.

    Present the full array of answer choices (ex: the choices are a, b, c, and d).

    Present the full array of answer choices (ex: the choices are a, b, c, and d).

  • 5.

    Prompt the student to answer a question.

    Prompt the student to answer a question.

  • 6.

    Wait at least five seconds for the student to respond.

    Wait at least five seconds for the student to respond.

  • 7.

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

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

  • 8.

    Share your findings with the student, the family, and the educational team.

    Share your findings with the student, the family, and the educational team.

  •  

Note: Review 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 as a form of physical response 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.