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Nodding Head, Smiling, or Gesturing to Indicate Yes/No

The student nods head, smiles, or gestures to indicate "yes" or "no" when presented with an answer choice one at a time and asked, "Is this the...?"

 

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

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

How to Implement:

  • 1.

    Decide how to show answer choices to the student—verbally, visually, with objects, or another way—and prepare materials for each answer choice, if needed.

    Decide how to show answer choices to the student—verbally, visually, with objects, or another way—and prepare materials for each answer choice, if needed.

  • 2.

    Use the student's IEP to determine the best way to prompt the student, how the student will communicate "yes" or "no,” and how to

    Use the student's IEP to determine the best way to prompt the student, how the student will communicate "yes" or "no,” and how to adjust your prompting, as needed.

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  • 3.

    Model choice-making using the response modes the student uses.

    Model choice-making using the response modes the student uses.

  • 4.

    Show the full array of answer choices, then present the answer choices one at a time.

    Show the full array of answer choices, then present the answer choices one at a time.

  • 5.

    Prompt the student to answer the question.

    Prompt the student to answer the question.

  • 6.

    Wait at least five seconds for the student to respond with "yes" or "no."

    Wait at least five seconds for the student to respond with "yes" or "no."

  • 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 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 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.