CASAS Testing Accommodations and Accessibility

CASAS is committed to creating a standardized testing program inclusive of all learners.

Assessment accommodations, universally designed tests, and software accessibility features are part of the overarching goal of achieving fairness in testing.

Screen Reader Assistive Technology for Test Takers with Visual Impairment/Blindness

Documentation

CASAS Testing Session with a Screen Reader for Test Takers with Visual Impairment/Blindness

How-to

To provide Extended Time, start a pre-configured accommodations testing session.

Sign in to eTests.

Select the Site.

Select the Program Template.

Filter for Accommodations sessions.

Select the appropriate Extended Time* testing session.

Click Start.

*Upon request, CASAS Tech Support (techsupport@casas.org) will add a set of Accommodations test sessions to your CASAS eTests account.

When using a screen reader, use the Accessibility Toolkit from the student’s testing screen to disable keyboard shortcuts.*

From the Test Menu screen: click the gear icon to open Test Accommodation Settings.

Scroll to the bottom of the Accessibility Features window.

Check Disable default keyboard shortcuts.

Click Save.

*Note: This setting only applies to the student taking the test and does not affect the testing session setup.

eTest Coordinators can also disable keyboard shortcuts for a screen reader session at the Management Console.*

Sign in to eTests.

From the Testing Sessions menu: filter for an Accommodation session.

Click Edit.

Select Accessibility.

Scroll to the bottom of the window and check Disable eTests keyboard shortcuts.

Click Save.

Breaks in Testing as an Accommodation – CASAS eTests

How-to

Provide a Short Break in testing.

By Proctor or Student at the Testing Station.*

Test screen: click the Pause (II) icon from the toolbar.*

A Pop-Up message displays on the test screen until the student is ready to continue.

Click Return to continue the test.

*Note: The test-timer pauses until the student returns to continue the test.

Provide an Extended Break in testing.

By eTests Coordinator at the Management Console.*

From the Session Activity or Testing Sessions window:

Click Manage.

From the Pop-Up message:

Click Suspend.*

*Note: All active tests in the session, including the test-timer, pause until the proctor Continues the session.

Accessibility Features in CASAS eTests

The following features are available to all test takers using CASAS eTests.

How-to

Preset text sizes of questions and answer sets, toolbar, navigation features, and directions.

By Student at the Testing Station.*

From the Test Menu screen: click the gear icon to open Test Accommodation Settings.

From the Accessibility Features window: check to set the Default Text Size (regular, large, very large).

Click Save.

*Note: This setting only applies to the student taking the test and does not affect the testing session setup.

Preset background and text color combinations.

By Student at the Testing Station.*

From the Test Menu screen: click the gear icon to open Test Accommodation Settings.

From the Accessibility Features window: select a Color Combination.

Click Preview Color Combination to view the preferred selection.

Click Save.

*Note: This setting only applies to the student taking the test and does not affect the testing session setup.

Text and image magnification tool.

By Student at the Testing Station.*

From the Test screen: click the Plus (+) and Minus (-) icons.

Use the vertical and horizontal scrollbars to fully view the test item displayed.

*Note: The setting will remain throughout taking the test and can be further adjusted throughout the test.

Customizable volume setting for listening tests.

By Student at the Testing Station.*

From the test Directions screen: grab the slide bar to set the Audio Volume.

After Practice: grab and slide the Audio Volume bar to make any further adjustments before you Begin the Test.

*Note: This setting applies to all students testing in the session.

Content masking.

By eTests Coordinator at the Management Console.*

Sign in to eTests.

From the Testing Sessions menu: filter for an Accommodation session.

Click Edit.

Select Layout.

Uncheck/Check Toolbar Display and/or End Test Display options.

Click Save.

Questions about Accommodations