1. What are the available Designated Supports and how can I find more information about them?

A list of available supports can be found in the current version of the Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guide (UAAG) for Nevada.

 2. Which students need to have Designated Supports considered each school year?

English Learners (EL) and Former English Learners (grades 3-12) in monitor status, must indicate whether or not the EL/Former EL student will utilize designated supports for testing for  compliance with Title III. Title III requires annual documentation for every student identified as an English Learner (EL) or Former English Learner in monitor status (within four years of program exit) has had considerations made for them and their access to available supports.

 3. Who is the “Person Completing the Spreadsheet”? 

The School Test Coordinator (STC) must retain and/or maintain a spreadsheet listing all designated supports and accommodations for each student at their site. The EL Teacher may assist with this task. Store documentation with other test materials in the secure testing cabinet. The STC must provide information about administration considerations, designated supports and accommodations for testing to test administrators, and to classroom teachers for implementation of supports during instruction.

 4. What’s the difference between an accommodation and a designated support?

ACCOMMODATIONS—Students with special needs served by an IEP or 504 Plan may be eligible for testing accommodations. Accommodations are changes in procedures or materials that increase equitable access. Caution: Accommodations could increase cognitive load or create other challenges for students who do not need them or who have not had experience using them. Accommodations selected for a state assessment must be those used during regular classroom instruction to address a student’s identified need. Do not attempt to implement accommodations unfamiliar to the student at test time. Note selected accommodations on the IEP/504 Accommodations Form.

 DESIGNATED SUPPORTS— Decisions to use designated supports should be made by professionals familiar with the student and trained on the types of supports available for the specific assessment. Selected supports should align with what is used during regular classroom instruction and on classroom assessments. Designated supports are not considered accommodations or modifications and must be identified prior to test administration.

5. Do I need to mark the Designated Supports spreadsheet if the support is already written into the IEP?

Yes. The support must be documented within the Designated Supports spreadsheet as well.

 6. Do I need to send the Dept. of ELD a copy of the Designated Supports spreadsheet for my students?

No, please retain the spreadsheet with the School Test Coordinator (STC). The principal will sign an acknowledgement form indicating that the spreadsheet has been completed and designated support considerations have been made for all enrolled ELs and Former ELs within four year monitoring.

7. What type of bilingual dictionary can my students use?

A bilingual, word-to-word (English-to-other language) style paper dictionary/glossary is permitted for specific math and science tests only. The dictionary may not contain definitions, word use examples or any other features.

8. Does the Dept of ELD have any extra bilingual dictionaries or where can I buy a bilingual dictionary?

No, however, schools may purchase hard copy (paper) bilingual, word-to-word (English-to-other language) style dictionaries for students. BilingualDictionaries.com is a recommended site for purchasing bilingual dictionaries with many languages offered. In addition, ACT posted a list of dictionaries by title and ISBN including several pages of suggested distributors -https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-ApprovedBilingualDictionariesList.pdf

Any bilingual dictionaries approved for ACT may be used as a designated support for EL on district common math and science finals, MAP growth mathematics, and Nevada mathematics and science assessments.

9. What is the criteria for Read Aloud and Text to Speech?  Can my student receive it?

Yes, students may receive Read Aloud or Text to Speech as a designated support. The availability is limited by what the specific assessment permits and should be a support that the student is receiving consistently in the classroom.

Note: Designated supports encompass tools, features, and some administrative considerations for testing that may be made available to any student. Designated supports must be indicated in advance of testing, selected on the basis of the individual student’s needs, and used consistently for instruction and assessment.

 10. Are designated supports for the ACCESS?

No, the Designated Supports outlined above are not for the ACCESS assessment.