STAR Testing Participation

The students Individualized Education Program (IEP) team is responsible for determining how a student will participate in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program. The IEP team when determining how a student will participate in statewide testing should consider the students day-to-day accommodation and modification needs. The IEP team will make the decision each year on how the student should participate in statewide testing. Many students with special needs can take tests under the same conditions as their non-disabled classmates. Accommodations or modifications used in the classroom should be used in testing, if appropriate. The goal is to level the playing field and not give an unfair advantage. Accommodations or modifications should be based on the individual childs needs and help students with disabilities show what they can do.

The term accommodation is commonly used to define changes in format, response, timing, or scheduling that do not alter in any significant way what the test measures or the comparability of scores. When changes in the assessment alter what the test is supposed to measure or the comparability of scores, they may be referred to as modifications. Accommodations and modifications should be necessary to give the student access to the test.  Individuals who know the students strengths and weaknesses should make decisions about accommodations. The student and his/her parent should be comfortable with the accommodations or modifications. The students assessment participation should be reviewed annually, and if necessary modified. Information about the students test behavior can guide future use of accommodations or modifications.

For additional information, please contact your schools special education staff.