The FastBridge platform does not provide built-in special accommodation settings. However, there are certain modifications and considerations that may be helpful for students with disabilities, or for students on Individual Education Plans (IEPs). These modifications are allowed for either screening or progress monitoring. Any other accommodations should be listed on the student's IEP. This article lists FastBridge modifications that may be utilized by the testing proctor.
Modifications
- Text magnification - Most computers, laptops, and tablet devices provide an option to magnify onscreen text to improve visibility.
- Sound amplification - Most computers, laptops, and tablet devices provide an option to increase and decrease the sound volume, as well as an option to connect audio devices such as headphones to improve audibility.
- Braille - Some FastBridge assessments are available to convert into braille to support blind and visually impaired students.
- Proxy responses - A teacher or other representative may act as a proxy for a student; for example, a student may push a button on a tablet device to select an answer a, b, c, or d, and the proxy would input that response into a computer for them. This can done with a variety of devices for special education students.
- Extended time - Students may be given extra allotted time to assess for aReading, aMath, and the untimed portions of CBMmath, earlyReading, and earlyMath only. Other assessments are calibrated and scored with timing as a key consideration, and would be invalidated by increasing students' allotted assessment time.
- Students with different needs or abilities may take the computer-based assessments on a tablet-type device to facilitate screen optimization.
- Preferential seating and use of quiet space - Students may need modifications to their testing environment to appropriately gauge their assessment scores.
- Extra breaks - Students may need extra breaks between assessments and assessment sections.
- Calculators - Calculators are only permitted if a student is on an IEP that specifically allows calculators.
- Pencil & paper - Students may use pencil and paper to help work out problems. Note, this does not apply to CBMmath Automaticity, which does not allow for use of scratch paper and pencil.
Assessments are normed without accommodations. Anything in the student's IEP is allowed; however, bear in mind that the student's score will be compared to norms and benchmarks that do not take the accommodation into account.
Consider each student, assessment, and accommodation need on a case-by-case basis to determine what each situation requires. For example, a student's IEP may stipulate for assessors to read assessments aloud; this is a reasonable accommodation in many situations, but could invalidate FastBridge reading assessment results.