DATE:
Thursday, March 12, 2026
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
Calculator and Visual Representations Accommodations for RISE Math
Principals are encouraged to follow up with their special education caseworkers about the following RISE accommodation clarifications.
Calculation Devices
When it comes to the use of calculation devices or computation tables as an accommodation on the RISE Math assessment in grades 3-6, school administrators, testing coordinators and special education caseworkers should take note of the following stipulations from the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy:
“[For] students in grades 3–5, the use of a handheld calculator, calculation device or printable computation table is not allowed during any segment of the math assessment because it violates the construct of the test and the standards being assessed. If provided, the test must be reported as modified, and the student will receive a score of non-proficient and be considered a non‐participant for accountability. [For] students in grade 6, during the first segment, NO online calculator is available, nor can any student use any handheld calculator, calculation device or computation table. During the second segment, an embedded online calculator is available as a Utah Accessibility, Accommodations, and Participation Policy 2025–2026| 32 resource for all students. Students with an IEP, 504 or EL plan who have a documented need for a handheld calculator or computation table may use a handheld calculator, calculation device or computation table for the second segment ONLY. Any violation of this policy will make the assessment modified and the student will not receive a valid score.” (See pages 32-33)
While Embrace allows caseworkers to input a calculator accommodation for students on the Summative RISE Math assessment (with a footnote calling attention to the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy), it is still not an allowable accommodation on the RISE Math assessment.
Visual Representations
Please note that computation tables are not visual representations as defined in the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy. Visual representations “are manipulatives such as cubes, tiles, rods, blocks, models, etc. They may be used on all sections of the mathematics assessment if they are included in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan” (see page 37).
Please contact Kassidy Towery in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions about RISE accommodations.
