Common Core Testing: Not All Bad!

Many parents, teachers and students hold valid fears about the new Common Core tests that will replace the CSTs but one benefit of these new tests is that they include many supports for those with visual, auditory and linguistic needs. Some of the tools are embedded in the online tests and others include printed materials or handheld calculators that may be provided by test administrators. Below is a list of universal tools provided to all students as well as documented accommodations that can be accessed with an IEP or 504 Plan. For more information you can visit

http://www.cta.org/commoncore.

Universal Tools:                                     Documented Accommodations            

                                                                 For Students with IEPs or 504 plans:

Embedded in online tests Breaks, calculator, digital notepad, English dictionary, expandable passages, global notes, highlighter, keyboard navigation, mark for review, math tools, spell check, strikethrough, writing tools and zooms

Nonembedded Breaks, English dictionary, scratch paper, and thesaurus

Embedded: American Sign Language, Braille, closed captioning, and text-to-speech.

Nonembedded: abacus, alternate response options, calculator, multiplication table, print on demand, read aloud, scribe, and speech-to-text

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