Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities ...

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Policy and Tools to Guide Decision-Making and Implementation

February 2018

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Regents of The University

BETTY A. ROSA, Chancellor, B.A., M.S. in Ed., M.S. in Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D. ................. T. ANDREW BROWN, Vice Chancellor, B.A., J.D. ........................................................... ROGER TILLES, B.A., J.D. ................................................................................................. LESTER W. YOUNG, JR., B.S., M.S., Ed.D. . ...................................................................... CHRISTINE D. CEA, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. ............................................................................ WADE S. NORWOOD, B.A. ............................................................................................... KATHLEEN M. CASHIN, B.S., M.S., Ed.D. ..................................................................... JAMES E. COTTRELL, B.S., M.D. ...................................................................................... JOSEPHINE VICTORIA FINN, B.A., J.D. ............................................................................. JUDITH CHIN, M.S. in Ed. .............................................................................................. BEVERLY L. OUDERKIRK, B.S. in Ed., M.S. in Ed. .......................................................... CATHERINE COLLINS, R.N., N.P., B.S., M.S. in Ed., Ed.D. ........................................... JUDITH JOHNSON, B.A., M.A., C.A.S. ............................................................................. NAN EILEEN MEAD, B.A. ................................................................................................ ELIZABETH S. HAKANSON, A.S., M.S., C.A.S. ............................................................... LUIS O. REYES, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. ................................................................................... SUSAN W. MITTLER, B.S., M.S. .......................................................................................

Bronx Rochester Great Neck Beechhurst Staten Island Rochester Brooklyn New York Monticello Little Neck Morristown Buffalo New Hempstead Manhattan Syracuse New York Ithaca

Commissioner of Education and President of The University MARYELLEN ELIA

Executive Deputy Commissioner ELIZABETH R. BERLIN

The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities. Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety of formats, including braille, large print or audio tape, upon request. Inquiries concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department's Office for Diversity and Access, Room 530, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

Section I: Federal and State Requirements on Testing Accommodations ........................... 2

Section II: Learn About Testing Accommodations ................................................................. 5

Testing Accommodations and Testing Modifications.................................................................... 5 Computer-Based Testing Tools and Accommodations Features ................................................. 6 New York State Testing Program ................................................................................................. 6

Section III: Recommending Appropriate Testing Accommodations ..................................... 9

Who is Involved in Decision-Making? .......................................................................................... 9 Consider Student Characteristics and Needs............................................................................... 11 Align Testing Accommodations with Instructional Accommodations ............................................ 12 Documentation of Testing Accommodations ................................................................................ 13 Students Who Incur Disabilities Shortly Before Test Administration............................................. 15

Section IV: Implementing Testing Accommodations .............................................................. 17

Planning and Preparation for Testing ........................................................................................... 17 Training and Professional Development....................................................................................... 18 Additional Considerations for Professional Development............................................................. 19

Additional Resources ................................................................................................................ 21

References .................................................................................................................................. 22

Appendices

? Appendix A: Testing Accommodations Questions and Answers ? Appendix B: Testing Accommodations Dos and Don'ts ? Appendix C: Examples of Student Characteristics and Possible Testing

Accommodations ? Appendix D: Examples of Testing Accommodations for Special Populations: Blind or

Visually Impaired ? Appendix E: Examples of Testing Accommodations for Special Populations: Deaf or

Hard of Hearing ? Appendix F: Recommending and Administering Tests Read ? Appendix G: Procedures for the Use of a Scribe ? Appendix H: Administering Tests Over Multiple Days

? Appendix I: Sample Student Accommodation Refusal Form ? Appendix J: Allowable Testing Accommodations Across the NYS Testing Program

Introduction

Many students with disabilities will require testing accommodations in order to participate in testing programs on an equal basis with their nondisabled peers. Such accommodations provide students with the ability to demonstrate skills and attainment of knowledge without being limited or unfairly restricted due to the effects of a disability.

This manual provides information and tools to assist Committees on Special Education (CSEs) and Section 504 Committees in making appropriate decisions for determining needed testing accommodations for individual students with disabilities. The manual also provides policy and guidelines for documenting and implementing testing accommodations for classroom, district-wide and State assessments. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with the School Administrator's Manuals () for all assessments and examinations across the New York State Testing Program.

Please contact the New York State Education Department's Office of Special Education Policy Unit at 518-473-2878 or your Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) Regional Office listed in the Additional Information section of this manual if you have any questions regarding testing accommodations.

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