Leveling the Playing Field by Using Test Accommodations

The Ball is in YOUR Court

Adapted by Mrs. Lamanna from article by SJ Thompson & MI Thurlow

Perspectives, Fall 2001

Answers to the age old question…

“Why do I have to have these anyway?”

“Why do I have testing accommodations?”

You are required by law to be included in statewide & district assessments (tests).

As part of your IEP team, it’s up to YOU to choose & use the accommodations that will “level the playing field” or show what you know.

This same law requires that you be invited to your IEP meeting.

You need to take an active role in making decisions about the accommodations you use for tests, instruction and for life.

What are testing accommodations?

Testing accommodations are simply changes in the way a test is taken, without changing the actual test itself.

It is given to help “level the playing field” & not to give you an advantage over other students.

Six Types of Test Accommodations

Other

Response

Presentation

Scheduling

Timing

Setting

Setting Accommodations Changes in the location or the conditions of

the test setting. For example:

if you have trouble focusing or are easily distracted in larger groups

You need to use a tape player or specialized equipment

Can include- lighting, acoustic, furniture

Timing Accommodations

Changes in the length of testing time & may change how your time is organized Most helpful if you need extra time to process

written text Extra time to write or use certain equipment May need it to take frequent or extended breaks

Scheduling Accommodations

Changes the particular time of day, day of the week, or number of days over which a test is administered

May be due to medication and/or ability to stay alert may require these changes

Presentation Accommodations

Changes in the way you take a test Include changes in:

Test format or procedures Highlighting key words Increased spacing on page Tests provided on audio tape Use of assistive devices

Some of these accommodations are controversial

Response Accommodations

Changes how you might respond to a test. Similar to “presentation”, these may include:

Format alterations- marking answers in test booklet

Procedural – giving response in different way, sign language, pointing, orally etc.

Assistive devices – scribes, brailler, calculator, text-to-speech program, communication devices etc.

Other Accommodations Changes include:

Out-of-level testing, taking test at a lower grade level if you function at a lower level

This is HIGHLY controversial & not recommended unless tests across grades can be scored on the same scale. AKA an “alternative assessment”

On-task focusing prompts Other accommodations that don’t fit in other areas

Who decides what accommodations are needed?

It is your responsibility, with the help & support of the IEP team, to decide whether you need test accommodations and, if so, which ones will be most helpful.

A variety of test accommodations should be tried in the classroom in order to figure out what works best before making decisions about what will be used on test.

Adding test accommodations Once a variety of accommodations have been tried,

those that are most helpful should be added to the IEP.

You must use your accommodations throughout the school year and NOT just for state exams.

On test days, make sure the teacher or proctor knows what accommodations you use.

Hardest of all, be SURE you get the accommodations know the plan if you get extra time.

The GOAL

The goal here is for YOU to be in charge (with support from your IEP team) of your testing participation by choosing & using the accommodations that are most helpful, both on the tests and in real life.

Learning… About:

your disability & how it affects you self-advocacy skills & strategies

are critical for success!The purpose of using accommodations is to give

you a chance to show what you know & can do without the effects of your disability.

In The Future

Knowing your accommodations & why you need them is necessary for your education after high school and your career.

By the time you are a junior or senior, you should know what helps you to learn & what helps “level the playing field.”

Examples of Accommodations & Decision-making questions: Setting

Examples: Administer test in small group or individually in a

location with minimal distractions Provide special lighting Provide special furniture or acoustics

Questions: Can you focus on your work in a room with other

students? Do you distract other students? Can you take a test in the same way as it is given to

other students?

Examples of Accommodations & Decision-making questions: Presentation

Examples: Provide test on audio tape Increase spacing between items or reduce items per

page or line Highlight key words or phrases in directions Provide cues (arrows, stop signs) on answer form

Questions: Can you listen & follow oral directions? Can you see & hear? Can you read printed text?

Examples of Accommodations & Decision-making questions: Timing

Examples: Allow a flexible schedule Extend the time allotted to take test Allow frequent breaks during testing

Questions: Can you work continuously for the entire length of

a typically administered test? Do you use accommodations that require more

time to complete test items?

Examples of Accommodations & Decision-making questions: Scheduling

Examples: Administer test in several sessions, possibly over

several days, specifying duration of each session Allow subtests to be taken in a different order Administer the test at different times of day

Questions: Do you take medication that slows you down, with

optimal performance at certain times of day? Does your anxiety level increase dramatically when

working on certain content areas, so that these should be taken after other content areas?

Examples of Accommodations & Decision-making questions: Response

Examples: Allow marking of answers in test booklet Tape record responses for later translation Allow use of scribe Provide copying assistance between drafts

Questions: Can you track from test booklet to an answer

sheet? Can you use a pencil or other writing tool?

Examples of Accommodations & Decision-making questions: Other

Examples: Special test preparation On-task/focusing prompts Any accommodations that a student needs that

don’t fit into another category Questions:

Is this the 1st time you will be taking a district or state test?

Do you have the necessary test-taking skills?