M-STEP Assessment Accommodations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student's IEP includes a 'preferential seating' accommodation. In which accommodation category does this fall?
- Presentation
- Response
- Setting (Correct answer)
- Timing
Correct answer: Setting
Setting accommodations change the location or conditions in which a student is tested, including preferential seating, separate rooms, or reduced-distraction environments.
Question 2: Which of the following best explains why certain accommodations used in class may NOT be allowed on the M-STEP?
- State tests never allow any accommodations
- Some classroom accommodations alter the construct being measured and would compromise test validity
- IDEA prohibits state testing accommodations
- Only standardized accommodations approved by MDE are permissible on M-STEP (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Only standardized accommodations approved by MDE are permissible on M-STEP
Not all classroom accommodations are approved for M-STEP; only those on Michigan's approved list that do not compromise construct validity are permitted.
Question 3: A student with severe anxiety has a 504 Plan that includes breaks during testing. What type of M-STEP accommodation is this?
- Presentation accommodation
- Timing/scheduling accommodation (Correct answer)
- Response accommodation
- Setting accommodation
Correct answer: Timing/scheduling accommodation
Scheduled breaks and extended time are classified as timing and scheduling accommodations because they affect when and how long a student tests.
Question 4: What action must a test administrator take if a student's listed accommodations are not available on test day?
- Proceed with testing without accommodations to avoid delays
- Document the issue and contact the school assessment coordinator immediately (Correct answer)
- Have the student return the next day without notifying anyone
- Cancel the student's participation in M-STEP entirely
Correct answer: Document the issue and contact the school assessment coordinator immediately
Test administrators must document and report any accommodation failures to the school's assessment coordinator so that appropriate steps can be taken.
Question 5: Which digital tool is considered an 'embedded accommodation' within the M-STEP online platform?
- Human reader provided by the school
- Separate room arranged by staff
- Text-to-speech built into the testing system (Correct answer)
- Large-print paper test booklet
Correct answer: Text-to-speech built into the testing system
Embedded accommodations like text-to-speech are built directly into the online M-STEP testing platform and activated through student settings.
Question 6: Under M-STEP guidelines, which of the following students might qualify for an 'Alternate Assessment' instead of the standard M-STEP?
- Any student who requests an easier test
- Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose IEP teams determine alternate assessment is appropriate (Correct answer)
- All ELL students regardless of disability status
- Students who scored below the 25th percentile on the previous year's M-STEP
Correct answer: Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose IEP teams determine alternate assessment is appropriate
The MI-Access (Michigan's alternate assessment) is reserved for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as determined by their IEP teams.
Question 7: Why is parental notification important when a student's IEP team determines M-STEP accommodations?
- Parents must pay for accommodations separately
- Parents are IEP team members and must be included in accommodation decisions (Correct answer)
- Parents can override MDE-approved accommodation lists
- Parental approval is only needed for physical accommodations
Correct answer: Parents are IEP team members and must be included in accommodation decisions
Under IDEA, parents are required members of the IEP team and must be included in all decisions, including determining appropriate assessment accommodations.
M-STEP Assessment Accommodations 4
A student's IEP includes a 'preferential seating' accommodation.
In which accommodation category does this fall?