Accommodations in Unexpected or Emergency Situations

Unexpected or emergency situations that necessitate the use of an accommodation might occur just prior to or on the day of the student’s scheduled state assessment. For example, a student might have a broken arm and need responses to constructed-response questions transcribed. When considering how to meet a student’s needs in these types of situations, ensuring student independence is a priority. District and campus coordinators should follow these steps when an unexpected or emergency situation arises just prior to or on the day of the state assessment.

Step 1:

Testing coordinators should first consider if a student’s needs can be met by any of the accessibility features available to students and should make them available during testing. There is no need to contact TEA for approval to use accessibility features. Refer to the Accessibility Features page of these Coordinator Resources for more information on accessibility features.

Step 2:

If the student’s needs cannot be met using an accessibility feature or the student requires additional support, testing coordinators should review the Locally-Approved Designated Supports page to see if a locally-approved designated support can meet the student’s needs. Consideration should be given to designated supports that the student can use independently (e.g., for a student who forgot his or her prescribed eyeglasses, consider a projection device instead of an oral administration by a test administrator). If the student’s needs can be met by a locally-approved designated support, it should be made available to the student during testing. There is no need to contact TEA.

Step 3:

If the student’s needs cannot be met through Step 1 or 2, testing coordinators should review the designated supports requiring TEA approval. If this type of support will be needed, contact a member of the TEA Accommodations Task Force for permission and additional instructions. Once approval has been granted, district testing personnel must follow the guidelines provided to administer the assessment with the approved designated supports.

In unexpected or emergency situations, there is no expectation that the student would have routinely used the accommodation during classroom instruction and classroom testing. However, it is recommended that the student (and test administrator, as applicable) be given the opportunity to practice using the accommodation prior to the administration of the state assessment, if time permits.

A student's use of a designated support must be recorded in TIDE after testing and before the end of the testing window. Refer to the TIDE User Guide for instructions on how to enter designated supports.

District testing personnel must be aware that the allowance of a testing accommodation in an unexpected or emergency situation applies only to the current test administration and does not transfer to subsequent administrations. In addition, the use of a designated support should be taken into account when interpreting test results.

For additional questions about accommodations in unexpected or emergency situations, district testing personnel should submit a ticket to the Student Assessment Help Desk or contact the TEA Student Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536 and ask to speak to the district's member of the Accommodations Task Force.