Navigating Winter Testing Season: Supports to Keep Students Regulated and Ready

Winter testing arrives fast; reading diagnostics, MAP, and state accessibility checks all at once.

The key for every Maryland family is making sure accommodations and supports

match daily classroom use.

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Regulation and Readiness Go Hand in Hand

Winter Testing Supports is less about ability and more about access.

Emotional regulation, sensory safety, and clear communication are access points just like extended time.

Steps Families Can Take Now

1. Double‑Check Winter Testing Accommodations

In HCPSS Connect → IEP/504 Portal, verify accommodations like:

• Small‑group testing

• Repetition of directions

• Calculator or speech‑to‑text access

  
  

If a teacher says, “We don’t do that for this test,” request clarification using this language:

“Testing accommodations must reflect consistent classroom use per COMAR 13A.03.02.05; could we verify how this is documented?”

2. Regulation Plan: Start at Home

• Practice mock test sessions using your child’s preferred sensory breaks (gum, stress ball, quiet corner).

• Teach signals: Your child can tap the desk twice to ask for a stretch break.

• Build familiarity: preview the testing platform together if it’s available (MAP, i‑Ready, etc.).

  
  

3. Debrief After Each Day

• Ask: “Which part felt good?” “When was it hardest to focus?”

• Write patterns down. Patterns guide better IEP updates.

4. Stay in the Loop

• Follow MSDE’s [Assessment Hub]

  (https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/pages/testing/index.aspx)

  
  

• Review local trends on the [Maryland Report Card](https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/).

Family Practice Exercise

Make a simple “Balance Chart” with two columns: “Helps Me Focus” and “Distracts Me.”

Let kids fill it in with pictures or stickers.

Bring that chart to the IEP meeting. It’s self‑advocacy training!