PSSA Accommodations Guidelines for Students with IEPs and

Standard
Ethics/
Security
Invalidates
score
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Accommodations Guidelines for Students with IEPs and Students with 504 Plans
TABLE 4 continued
DESCRIPTION OF TIMING AND SCHEDULING ACCOMMODATIONS
Not allowable
for PSSA,
PSSA-M &
Keystone
(paper/pencil)
Multiple test sessions or Frequent Breaks
This refers to frequent breaks within a regularly scheduled test session. Breaks may be given
at predetermined intervals or after completion of assignments, tests, or activities. The PSSA
and PSSA-M test booklets are divided into sections to accommodate scheduling and/or
breaks between sections of a test. The Keystone Exams are divided into separate
(independent) modules.
Scheduled breaks give students opportunities to move around the room.
Some students require frequent breaks within a test section, e.g. every 15 minutes.
Sometimes a student is allowed to take individual breaks when needed. Students must
be monitored during all breaks.
Students break and discuss the test items during the extended time for a particular section
or module.
For example, students may not break (during a section or module) for lunch in the
cafeteria with their peers. Lunch should be provided in a secure, monitored area.
To avoid violations, students must be monitored during any break to ensure test security. If
the length of a break is predetermined, a timer might be used to signal the end of the break.
Change Schedule
This refers to a student who is not able to follow the planned test schedule for that class
and/or building. The most common example is when a high school schedules the PSSA and
PSSA-M test to be administered over 3 days with 2 sections per day. For some students with
disabilities, an individual schedule, i.e. 1 section per day, over 6 days is needed to complete
the test.
If possible, schedule assessments at the time of day when a student is most likely to
demonstrate peak performance. Although a school may schedule more than one test section
per day, some students may need to complete the test over multiple days—completing a
section each day. This is usually done to reduce fatigue.
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.
The Keystone Exams will not be administered 2011-2012 48 1/24/2012