Approval Guide for Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheets 2018-2019 Retests

Approval Guide for Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheets 2018-2019 Retests

Approval Guide for Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheets

forLegacy Retests 2018–2019Only

The following guidelines should be used by schools to create individualized mathematics reference sheets (a maximum of three pages) for high school students with disabilities who have MCAS accommodation A9 (formerly Accommodation 20) specified in an IEP or 504 plan. This guide includes examples of information that is allowed on reference sheets, and information that is not allowed. Only students taking legacy grade 10 MCAS mathematics retests may submit and use an Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheet.

All individualized mathematics reference sheets must be submitted to the Department for review and are approved on a case-by-case basis, regardless of whether they contain only allowable information listed in this document, or additional information beyond what is listed. The Department’s decision to approve or deny a particular reference sheet is determined based on whether the reference sheet provides information that is directly assessed on the MCAS mathematics test in that grade.

The Department encourages schools to develop reference sheets early in the school year and to seek approval as soon as possible, since students should be comfortable using their reference sheet at the time of testing.The required Customized Materials for Approval on MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering Tests and ELA and Mathematics Retests includes submission deadlines for the 2018–2019 testing cycle.

Examples of Information Allowed on Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheets

Please note the following:

  • The examples that follow are intended to guide decision-making on what may be included on a student’s reference sheet; this approval guide should not simply be photocopied and given to a student.
  • Category headings (like those shown below) may be included, if they do not define terms or concepts.
  • The standardgrade 10 MCAS mathematics reference sheets provided to all students should be used in addition to the student’s individualized mathematics reference sheet.

Checklists of general problem solving strategies

  • “read the problem carefully”
  • “circle important information”
  • “does my solution make sense?”etc...

Coordinategridinformation

Examples:

  • quadrants canbelabeled 1-4

Definitions of common variables, only if on standard MCAS reference sheet; otherwise prohibited

Examples:

Distance and Quadratic formulas

Example:

Divisibility rules

  • allowed

Generic stepsfor solving mathematical problems

Examples:

  • “common denominators”
  • “flip and multiply”
  • “line up decimals”

Geometric Formulas

Example:

Graphics

  • only allowed without labels, headings, or organizational structure

Mnemonic devices

Examples:

  • “5 and above, give it a shove”
  • “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” or “PEMDAS”
  • “First, Outer, Inner, Last” or “FOIL”
  • Abbreviations of terms

Number lines

  • positive and negative integers, counting by ones
  • no fractions

Operations with Numbers

Examples:

  • “same sign = positive”
  • “different sign = negative”
  • “SSS” (same sign sum)
  • “DSD” (different sign difference)

Percentages

Example:

Probability

Example:

Properties of operations

  • represent with variables only, no numbers, no labels

Example:

Symbols

  • “> is greater than”, “< is less than”, “= is equal to”, and other symbols/descriptors including congruent, similar, approximately equal, etc.

Unit Conversions

  • most unit conversions are allowed

Word banks:

  • alphabetical list okay
  • no labels, headings, or organization

Examples of Information Not Allowed on Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheets

  • Arithmetic tables
  • e.g., addition/subtraction or multiplication/division charts, unless the student also has special access accommodationSA4 (legacy accommodation 30) listed in the IEP or 504 plan
  • Category headings that define terms or concepts
  • Definitions of mathematical terms
  • Graphic illustrations that are labeled or provide definitions of mathematical concepts
  • Specific examples showing solutions to actual problems
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