Participation of Students with Disabilities and EL Students in the Spring 2024 MCAS Civics Field Test

For students with disabilities or English learners with accommodations, please note that it is not necessary to update IEPs, 504 plans, or EL accommodation plans for students taking the Civics field test. Schools should, however, review the accommodation requirements for selected students who are scheduled to participate in the field test.

Universal and Designated Accessibility Features described in the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the 2023-24 MCAS are available to all students taking the Civics field test. Note that the spell-checker tool is automatically available to all students.

The following accommodations available on other MCAS tests will not be available for the Civics field test; schools may remove students who require these special accommodated test editions from participating in the field test.

• A1 — Paper-based test
• A2 — Large-print edition (Note: Onscreen text can be magnified)
• A3.1 and A3.2 — Screen reader and Braille edition
• A6.2 — ASL video

The following numbered accommodations found in the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the 2023-24 MCAS are available for the Civics field test. Schools should provide students with any accommodation listed below to students who already have the corresponding accommodation in an IEP, 504 plan, or EL accommodation plan.

• A4, EL3.1 — Text-to-speech
• A5, EL3.2 — Human read-aloud
• A6.1 — Human signer
• A7 — Human signer for test directions
• A8 — Track test items
• A9 — Use of approved graphic organizers, checklists, or supplemental reference sheets. (Student may use the grade 8 ELA graphic organizers.)
• A10.1, EL4.1 — Scribe responses
• A10.2, EL4.2 — Speech-to-text (Students using the speech-to-text accommodation will be able to use an embedded speech-to-text web extension that functions within TestNav.)
• A11 — Responses recorded by student on special paper
• A13 — Student records responses on an external recording device
• A14 — Responses signed onto video (for a student who is Deaf or Hard-of Hearing)
• A15 — Monitor placement of responses
• SA6 — Word prediction (Students using the word prediction accommodation will be able to use an embedded word prediction web extension that functions within TestNav.)
• EL2 — Approved bilingual word-to-word dictionary and glossary for students who are currently or were ever reported as English learners
• EL5 — Test administrator reads aloud/repeats/clarifies general administration directions in English
• EL6 — Test administrator reads aloud/repeats/clarifies general administration directions in student's native language

Last Updated: November 15, 2023