Accessibility Resources

Go to: Test Administration Manuals and Administrative Tools Accessibility Matrix and Graphics Accessibility Resource Materials Accessibility Training Other Resources

Students with specific learning needs may require accessibility resources to fully engage and demonstrate mastery of content during instruction and on assessments. To better serve them, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) provides a wide range of resources to ensure that the administration of the test meets the needs of all students, including those with disabilities. The California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix displays the embedded and non-embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations allowed as part of the CAASPP and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) systems.

Teachers are encouraged to review these resources early in the school year and provide opportunities for students to experience them throughout the year in classroom instruction and assessment. Some resources are embedded into the technology platform for computer-administered tests. Others are considered non-embedded, since they are provided by the local educational agency.

The Importance of Implementing CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Resources: Voices from Educators (Video; 08:31) focuses on our conversations with California educators to learn more about the importance of implementing accessibility resources for assessments. This training video serves as a starting point for staff who are developing accessibility processes and deciding how to implement accessibility resources for students.

Types of Student Accessibility Resources

Universal tools are available to all students on the basis of student preference and selection.
Designated supports are available to all students when determined for use by an educator or team of educators (with parent/guardian and student input, as appropriate) or specified in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
Accommodations must be permitted to all eligible students taking CAASPP and ELPAC tests if specified in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan.
Unlisted resources are not universal tools, designated supports, or accommodations. Unlisted resources shall be made available if specified in the eligible student's IEP or Section 504 plan and only with approval from the California Department of Education (CDE). See the Unlisted Resources web page for more information.

To preview these student accessibility resources in the test delivery system, visit the Accessibility Resource Demonstration Videos web page.

Test Administration Manuals and Administrative Tools

California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix and Student Assessment Accessibility Graphics

California Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix , a California Department of Education (CDE) web page, with information about universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations.
California Student Assessment Accessibility graphics, available on the CDE Student Accessibility Resources web page, include one-page graphics that show which accessibility resources are available on each assessment.

Accessibility Resource Materials

Resources for Test Administrators:

Smarter Balanced Scribing Protocol
Guidelines for Choosing Text-to-Speech or Read Aloud in Grades 3–5
Smarter Balanced Read Aloud Guidelines
Smarter Balanced Read Aloud Guidelines in Spanish
Guidelines for Simplified Test Directions (September 2021)
Instructions for Using Embedded Glossaries
Instructions for Using CAASPP Large-Print and Braille Materials (Posted 03/18/20)
Instructions for the Smarter Balanced Illustration Glossary (January 2020)
Printing Enlarged Science Reference Tools
Quick start guide if the student requires the science reference tools to be enlarged and printed on 11x17 paper.

Translated Test Directions

Printable Resources for Use with Students:

Keyboard Commands for Students
Multiplication Table (Updated 09/08/20)
100s Number Table
CAST Braille Periodic Table of the Elements for Grade Eight and High School (PRN) (Posted 12/21/18)
CAST Grade Eight Reference Sheet (Updated 08/04/22)
CAST High School Reference Sheet (Updated 08/04/22)
CAST Braille Grade Eight Reference Sheet (BRF) (Posted 12/18/18)
CAST Braille High School Reference Sheet (BRF) (Posted 08/26/22)
CAST Periodic Table of the Elements for Grade Eight and High School—English
This printable periodic table is not fully accessible because it is meant for printing only. It is intended for classroom use and closely resembles the fully accessible online periodic table available in the summative CAST and training and practice tests.
CAST Periodic Table of the Elements for Grade Eight and High School—Spanish
This printable periodic table is not fully accessible because it is meant for printing only. It is intended for classroom use and closely resembles the fully accessible online periodic table available in the summative CAST and training and practice tests.

Accessibility Training

Accessibility Resource Demonstration Videos

Accessibility Resource Demonstration Videos web page

Training Videos

Importance of Implementing CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Resources: Voices from Educators (Video; 08:31) (Posted 04/13/20)
TOMS: How to Assign Student Test Settings by Batch File Upload (Video; 03:16) (Posted 12/13/22)
TOMS: How to Assign Student Test Settings One by One (Video; 02:40) (Posted 12/13/22)
TOMS: How to Request an Unlisted Resource (Video; 10:10) (Posted 03/18/20)