FAQ: How Do Testing Accommodations Work at UD?

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“My student just presented me with a self-identification form and requested test accommodations for an upcoming test. What do I do now?”   

This document was prepared to help you understand test accommodations and your responsibilities as an instructor.

Why should I provide accommodations in testing?   

By providing accommodations for students with disabilities, you remove barriers so students have an equitable opportunity to demonstrate their learning. In addition, it’s the law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendment Acts (ADAAA) of 2008).

Who is eligible for test accommodations? 

Students registered with SLS who have a verified disability/disabilities and a documented need may utilize approved test accommodations.  Students who qualify for and wish to use test accommodations will identify themselves to you via the SLS Self-Identification Form. The student should communicate with you 5 business days (but no less than 2) prior to each test in order to coordinate appropriate arrangements for test accommodations.

What kinds of accommodations are most commonly used by students with disabilities?

Approved accommodations may include, but are not limited to: extended time, reduced distraction, use of a screen reader or other adaptive technology, use of a basic function calculator, and the assistance of a scribe or an interpreter. The Office of Student Learning Services provides the student with a Self-Identification Form listing the approved accommodation(s).

Where will test accommodations take place? 

• For students who need extended time and/or reduced distraction, there are two options:
  • In a place arranged between you and the student, under your supervision. A classroom, a small conference room within your department, or your office might work so long as it provides an appropriate test environment and meets the accommodation needs of the student. A relatively quiet, distraction reduced location with adequate light and writing surface would be an appropriate environment.
    
  
  
  • In the Learning Teaching Center (Roesch Library ground floor) under the supervision of SLS.
  
  
• For students who need additional accommodations (e.g. assistive technology, interpreter, scribe/writer, etc.) in conjunction with extended time and/or reduced distraction:  
  • In the Learning Teaching Center (Roesch Library ground floor) under the supervision of SLS.

When will students using accommodations take their tests?  

Test will be scheduled as close to the class test time as possible. Scheduling may be impacted by the student’s schedule (e.g. other classes) as well as the availability of space and SLS staff. It is also important to note (per Academic Senate policy #I-03-10) that a student may need to schedule a test on another day if they have two or more tests scheduled in one day.

What are the student’s responsibilities in this process?   

It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with you and the Office of Student Learning Services (SLS).

• Students are encouraged to schedule all tests, based upon the class syllabus, at the beginning of each semester and talk with their instructors early in the semester about test accommodations. Students are required to notify instructors of their desire to use accommodations 5 business days (but no less than 2) prior to an upcoming test.  It is the student’s responsibility to make and communicate their decision to use or not to use the approved accommodations for each test.


• If testing with SLS, students should:
• Contact SLS 5 business days (but no less than 2) prior to an test to make an appointment to take the test.


• Notify you, the instructor, of the date and time of the test appointment so that you can provide the test materials. See the following question about faculty responsibilities for details.


• Follow up with you, the instructor, to make sure the test materials have been delivered to SLS.

What are my responsibilities as the instructor in this process?  

It is your responsibility to work with the student and the Office of Student Learning Services (SLS) in order to insure that the student is able to take the test.

• Be available to the student to discuss test accommodation needs and to determine the appropriate site.


• Deliver the test and any special instructions to SLS 5 business days (but no less than 2) prior to the scheduled test for test conversion. This process can take extensive time depending on the number of tests scheduled, the length of the test, and the complexity of the content. Special instructions might include whether the student is allowed to use notes or books, a calculator, illustrations, or anything other than a writing implement when taking the test.


• Tests in Microsoft Word format are preferred and can be delivered electronically via email (disabilityservices@notes.udayton.edu); however, a CD version or hard copy (as a last resort) will be accepted at SLS in the LTC, Room 023.


• If a scheduled test needs to be rescheduled for any reason, the change must have written instructor approval.

What are the responsibilities of SLS in this process?

• Schedule the test when contacted by the student.


• Send a courtesy email to the student and the instructor regarding when the test has been scheduled.


• Check all received test materials to make sure they are complete and in usable condition. Test materials submitted to SLS may need to be converted to accessible electronic formats for use with assistive technology software programs, which may include scanning, formatting, and editing to ensure accessibility. This process can take extensive time according to the number of tests scheduled, the length of the test, and the complexity of the content. It is for this reason that we ask instructors to submit test materials a minimum of 2 business days prior to the date of the test.


• Maintain an appropriate test environment and follow any special instructions supplied by the instructor.


• Protect the confidentiality and academic integrity of the test. Materials received from instructors are either returned with the student’s work or destroyed. SLS follows strict procedures to ensure confidentiality in the handling of test materials.  All tests are maintained in a locked file with very limited access. Absolutely no copy or master is kept on file in SLS, and all materials are returned to the instructor.


• Deliver the student’s work to the instructor’s department after the test and secure a delivery signature. Please note, Instructors are encouraged to pick up the completed test. SLS delivery will be at the end of the day or by the end of the next business day for exams completed after 3 pm.