The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is committed to ensuring that statewide assessments are accessible to the widest possible number of students, including but not limited to students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities.

Students who take statewide assessments may use a wide array of accessibility features, which are tools or supports that increase access to test content and are available for use by all students who need them. Examples include: highlighter, answer masking, color/contrast.

Similarly, administrative considerations may be granted to any student who may need them, at the discretion of school leaders. Administrative considerations are decisions made about a student’s testing environment (e.g., small group testing, special seating arrangements, or frequent breaks).

In addition to accessibility features and administrative consideration for all students, OSSE supports the use of appropriate testing accommodations for all District of Columbia’s students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities. OSSE has developed guidance to ensure that:

• Participation in assessments for SWDs and ELs is consistent in all District of Columbia districts, schools and programs;
• Appropriate accommodations are provided to all eligible qualified students; and
• Accommodations used in assessment are also used in daily instruction.

Testing Accommodation and Accessibility Features Resources

Cross-Assessment OSSE Guidance Documents

• SY2022-23 Accessibility Features Guide
• SY2022-23 Testing Accommodations Guide: Part 1 (Students with Disabilities)
• SY2022-23 Testing Accommodations Guide: Part 2 (English Learners)
• SY2021-22 Statewide Assessments Emergency Accommodations Request Form
• SY2021-22 Statewide Assessments Medical Exemption Form
• SY2021-22 Statewide Assessments Unique Accommodations Request Form

Request Forms for 2022-23 Assessment Administration

• 2022 – 23 Statewide Assessments Emergency Accommodation Request Form
• 2022 – 23 Statewide Assessments Unique Accommodation Request Form
• SY2022-23 Statewide Assessments Medical Exemption Request Form
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WIDA ACCESS for ELLs Accommodations

• ACCESS for ELLs Checklists for Test Coordinators & Test Administrator
• WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual

Training Information

• 2021-22 PARCC & DC Science Accommodations Webinar
• 2017 Assessment Accommodations and Accessibility Features for Special Populations Webinar Series

PARCC and DC Science Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual

The eigth edition of the PARCC & DC Science Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual is a comprehensive policy document that provides guidance to districts and decision-making teams to ensure that the PARCC and DC Science summative assessments provide valid results for all participating students.

MSAA Accommodations

• MSAA Test Administrator Manual

NAEP Accommodations

• NAEP Inclusion Policy and Guidelines

Resources for Parents

• PARCC Parent Accessibility Brochure
• PARCC Parent Brochure for Students with Disabilities
• PARCC Parent Brochure for English Learners

Archive 2015-16 School Year SEDS Release

• LEA Memo on the 2015-16 School Year SEDS Release
• 2015-16 School Year SEDS Release: Guide to Understanding the Changes
• Summary of Items for the  2015-16 School Year SEDS Release
• Preparing for the School Year 2015-2016 SEDS Release

Archive Accommodations Studies

OSSE is committed to ongoing evaluation of accommodations available to students with disabilities and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. As a part of this effort, OSSE commissioned a study in 2009 on the use of accommodations by students with disabilities on the annual statewide assessment. The detailed report is available upon request. However, a summary of findings from the report is available.