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For a student who meets the eligibility criteria, this designated support may be used on:

• STAAR grades 3–7 mathematics

• STAAR grade 5 science

• STAAR Spanish grades 3–5 mathematics

• STAAR Spanish grade 5 science

This designated support provides an alternate method of computation for a student who is unable to effectively use paper-and-pencil methods.

A student may use this designated support if the student:

• routinely, independently, and effectively uses this designated support during classroom instruction and classroom testing; 

• receives Section 504 or special education services; and

• meets at least one of the following requirements for the applicable grade.

Grades 3 and 4

• The student has a physical disability that prevents the student from independently writing the numbers required for computations and cannot effectively use other accessibility features to address this need (e.g., whiteboard, graph paper).

• The student has a visual impairment that prevents him or her from seeing the numbers he or she has written during computations and cannot effectively use other accessibility features to address this need (e.g., magnifier).

Grades 5 through 7

• The student has a physical disability that prevents him or her from independently writing the numbers required for computations and cannot effectively use other accessibility features to address this need (e.g., whiteboard, graph paper).

• The student has a visual impairment that prevents him or her from seeing the numbers he or she has written during computations and cannot effectively use other accessibility features to address this need (e.g., magnifier).

• The student has a disability that affects mathematics calculations. Even after intensive instruction and remediation, the student is consistently unable to memorize basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division facts or perform the steps in an algorithm correctly when solving problems.

• The Basic TI Calculator field should be updated under the Test Attributes panel in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) prior to testing online so the designated support is made available in the Test Delivery System (TDS).

• The STAAR Non-Embedded Supports field must be updated in the Non-Embedded Supports panel in TIDE before the end of the specific testing window to indicate that a non-embedded calculation aid was made available to the student.

• For a student receiving Section 504 services, the decision is made by the Section 504 committee based on the eligibility criteria and is documented in the student’s individual accommodation plan (IAP).

• For a student receiving special education services, the decision is made by the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee based on the eligibility criteria and is documented in the student’s individualized education program (IEP).

• In the case of an emergent bilingual (EB) student with a disability, the decision is made by the applicable committee, in conjunction with the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC), and the decision is documented in the student’s permanent record file and IAP or IEP.

This designated support may include only the following:

• basic calculator available as an online embedded support on STAAR;

• basic (i.e., four-function) handheld calculator or calculator application, including large-key or speech-output;

• abacus or Cranmer modified abacus;

• 0–9 addition grid without special numbers (e.g., even numbers) indicated; and

• grade-appropriate multiplication grid without special numbers (e.g., perfect squares) indicated.

• A student who uses this designated support may need to complete the test in a separate setting to eliminate distractions to other students and to ensure the confidentiality of the test.

• The use of this designated support on STAAR should not replace the teaching of basic computation skills as outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

• For questions regarding the functions of a basic calculator, see the Basic Calculator tool in TDS. The Basic Calculator is offered as an embedded support on STAAR grade 8 science.

• Calculators used by eligible students as a designated support must adhere to the STAAR Calculator Policy.

• Students may have more than one calculation device during the assessment.

• Calculators are required as part of standard test administration procedures for some state assessments. For such assessments, any calculation aid listed in the Examples and Types section may be provided, along with the required calculator, to a student who is receiving special education or Section 504 services. 

• For a student taking a special paper administration, a handheld calculator must be provided.

• District testing personnel are required to have procedures in place to prevent use of personal cell phones and electronic devices during test administrations. If TEA-approved technology-based accommodations are used by a student during testing, TEA guidelines on the use of this technology must be followed in order to maintain the security and validity of the assessment. Although some technology may be very useful during a daily academic setting, technology that has functionality that violates the Technology Guidelines may NOT be used during a state assessment. 

District testing personnel should contact the Student Assessment Help Desk with any questions.