On August 15, 2005,CCSSO released two new documents, Accommodations Manual: How to Select, Administer, and Evaluate Use of Accommodations for Instruction and Assessment of Students with Disabilities and an accompanying Professional Development Guide. The Professional Development Guide also has a coordinating PowerPoint presentation.

The accommodations manual presents a five-step process for Individualized Educational Program (IEP) teams, 504 plan committees, general and special education teachers, administrators, and district level assessment staff to use in the selection, administration, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of instructional and assessment accommodations by students with disabilities. The guidance in the manual pertains to students with disabilities who participate in large-scale assessments and the instruction they receive.

The Accommodations Manual is designed such that personnel can insert state-specific information and policies related to content standards, assessments, and accommodations. In this way, states can assure the information in this manual is consistent with their specific state policies. Although it was developed to establish guidelines for states to use in the selection, administration, and evaluation of accommodations for instruction and assessment of students with disabilities, there is some variability among states with implementation practices. The Professional Development Guide is companion material for facilitators to use to support the implementation of the information in this manual and has an accompanying PowerPoint presentation.

• Accommodations Manual--Word Format
• Accommodations Manual--PDF Format
• Professional Development Guide
• Professional Development Guide--PowerPoint Presentation