The Montana OPI strives to provide every student with a positive and productive assessment experience which will generate results that are a fair and accurate estimate of each student's achievement. Smarter Balanced is building on a freamework of accessibility for all students, including English Language Learners (ELLs), students with disabilities, and ELLs with disabilities, but not limited to these groups.

Below you will find resources to help you understand, access and use the Smarter Balanced universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations available for the Smarter Balanced assessments. For questions regarding accessibility and accommodations, e-mail the OPI Assessment Division or call us at 1.844.867.2569. 

 

User Guides and Manuals

Smarter Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines (UAAG) - These guidelines describe the Smarter Balanced universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations available for the Smarter Balanced assessments.

Embedded Designated Support Glossaries - An overview of accessing the embedded glossaries and how they work.

OPI Quick Tips: Turning Off Universal Tools - This resource provides guidance on how to turn off universal tools for a student in the TA interface.

Guidelines: Frequently Asked Questions - These answers to frequently asked questions will assist you in understanding the universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations for the Smarter Balanced assessments.

Smarter Balanced Resources and Practices Comparison Crosswalk - A document to assist educators and decision-makers by providing a description of resources and classroom equivalents.

Scribing Protocol for Smarter Balanced Assessments - A guide outlining the protocol for using a scribe as an accommodation or designated support on Smarter Balanced assessments. 

Guidelines for Read Aloud, Test Reader - A short video to provide guidance to Montana educators on the appropriate usage of the text to speech/read aloud accommodations.

Guidelines for Simplified Test Directions in the Test Administration Manual - A guide for using the 'Simplified Test Directions' support allowable across all grades on Smarter Balanced assessments.

Tutorials

Accommodations Webinar - This recorded webinar, by Measured Progress and OPI, provides information on the available accommodations, designated supports and universal tools for the Smarter Balanced assessment.

2016-2017 Accommodations: Designated Supports and Universal Tools - This recorded webinar provides information on the available accommodations, designated supports, and universal tools for the Smarter Balanced assessments.

Smarter Balanced Calculators - Smarter Balanced has partnered with Desmos to make calculators available on Smarter Balanced assessments. This resource allows users to try out the new calculators.

Smarter Balanced Calculator Fact Sheet - Users can try out the calculators which are free to students and include accessibility features. 

 

 

The Individual Student Accessibility Assessment Profile

The ISSAP is intended for gathering information regarding designated supports and accommodations for the Smarter Balanced summative assessment.

ISSAP Individual Student Accessibility Assessment Spreadsheet - This tool is a resource for IEP and 504 plan teams to create an Individual Assessment Accessibility Profile (ISAAP).

ISSAP Individual Student Accessibility Assessment Profile Tool - This tool is a resource for IEP and 504 Plan teams to create an Individual Assessment Accessibility Profile (ISAAP).

ISAAP Tool Instructions - This document explains how to use the ISAAP tool.

Introduction to the ISAAP - This Smarter Balanced Digital Library Module will show how Smarter Balanced generates results that are a fair and accurate estimate of each student's achievement. The module offers an overview of the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines, the Individual Student Assessment Accessibility Profile (ISAAP) process, and the ISAAP Tool. Smarter Balanced suggests a process and tool by which each student's need(s) can be matched with appropriate Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and/or Accommodations. States, districts, or schools can use the ISAAP if they feel it is helpful. This module also includes three orientations to familiarize educators with the Smarter Balanced Assessment System, the assessment literacy modules of the Digital Library, and the Formative Assessment Process. Please note that to view all module components in your browser, pop-ups must be enabled.