PSSA Accommodations Guidelines for Students with IEPs and

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Accommodations Guidelines for Students with IEPs and Students with 504 Plans
Explanation of Tables
Tables 1-4 categorize accommodations as Standard or Not allowable PSSA, PSSA-M & Keystone
paper/pencil.
An accommodation that is categorized as Standard is allowable for some or all of the PSSA,
PSSA-M, and Keystone paper/pencil tests. A brief description of the accommodation and the
identification of the test(s) that allows each accommodation are included in each description.
An accommodation that is categorized as Not allowable for PSSA, PSSA-M & Keystone paper/pencil
may not be used for the tests. An accommodation that is not allowed is listed under
either the Ethics/Security column (refer to page 20) and/or Invalidates score column. An
accommodation that invalidates a score no longer measures the skill intended for assessment
(refer to page 13 accommodations vs. modifications).
Note: The Pennsylvania Department of Education recognizes that if an accommodation
categorized as Not allowable for PSSA, PSSA-M & Keystone paper/pencil has been used,
the circumstances surrounding its use will determine whether security has been violated
and/or the action was unethical.
TABLE 1: Presentation Accommodations
WHAT ARE PRESENTATION ACCOMMODATIONS?
Presentation accommodations allow students to access print instruction and assessments in
alternate ways. These alternate modes of access include auditory, tactile, visual, and a
combination of auditory and visual accommodations.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM PRESENTATION ACCOMMODATIONS?
Students who benefit most from presentation accommodations are those with print
disabilities, defined as difficulty or inability to visually read and/or manipulate standard
print because of a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability.
The Keystone Exams will not be administered 2011-2012 24 1/24/2012