Special Education Assessments

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The admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee determines which assessment is appropriate for each student based upon his or her individual needs. In order to make this decision, ARD committees must be familiar with the statewide assessment options available to students as well as how their decisions impact a student’s academic future. If it is unclear whether a student graduates under the TAKS program or the STAAR program, contact TEA’s Student Assessment Division at 512-463-9536.

Federal Requirements for the Assessment of Students with Disabilities	State Assessment Options for...
	Students in grades 10–12* in 2011–2012	Students who first entered grade 9 or below in 2011–2012
General assessment (with or without accommodations)	TAKS TAKS (Accommodated)	STAAR™
Alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards (2%)	TAKS–Modified (TAKS–M)	STAAR™ Modified
Alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards (1%)	STAAR™ Alternate**

* The applicable exit-level (grade 11) assessment for students in grades 10-12 and for students who repeated grade 9 in 2011-2012 is TAKS. However, TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated), and TAKS–M grades 9 and 10 tests will not be available in 2012-2013 and students who would take these tests will not be assessed. In addition, TAKS and TAKS (Accommodated) exit-level tests and retests are available for students in grade 12. TAKS–M is not considered an exit-level test and is not available for students in grade 12.

**Students who are eligible for an alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards will take STAAR Alternate. TAKS–Alt is no longer available.

Training and Presentations

Presentations from conferences, training sessions, and TETN broadcasts are listed here.

Accommodations for Statewide Assessments: Oral Administration, Transcribing, and Supplemental Aids
Student Assessment TETN Schedule
2012-2013 Accommodations and SpEd Assessments TETN #14280 (PPT posted 10/17/12)
ARD Committee Training for the 2012-2013 Texas Assessment Program TETN #14279 (PPT posted 08/28/12)

Additional Resources

Special Education Graduation Flowcharts (external link)
STAAR Time Limits Policies and Procedures (PDF posted 12/22/11)
STAAR Assessments Comparison Chart (PDF posted 09/13/12)
STAAR Assessments for 2012–2013 (PDF posted 08/28/12)
TAKS Assessments Comparison Chart (PDF posted 08/28/12)
ARD Committee Resources
Accommodations Resources
LPAC Decision-Making Process for the Texas Assessment Program Procedural Manual
Access to the General Curriculum (AGC) - Education Service Center Region XX in San Antonio serves as the AGC Decentralized Function for Texas. In carrying out this function, Region XX is responsible for organizing and conducting professional development and technical support that facilitates students with disabilities gaining access to curriculum and instruction based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in the least restrictive environment. Information and training opportunities are available online.
Performance Reporting - Information about accountability. 512-463-9704.
Special Education in Texas - Information about special education programs, individualized education programs, graduation guidance, complaints, and deaf services. 512-463-9414.
Curriculum - Information about the TEKS. 512-463-9581.
Bilingual Education Unit - Information about LEP student services. 512-463-9581.
State Dyslexia Handbook (external link)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) (external link)

Special Education Assessments

Training and Presentations

Additional Resources

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