Disability Services for Students (DSS) provides adaptive testing to eligible students with disabilities
that adversely affect them when testing under regular testing conditions. Testing accommodations provide
access to the test by minimizing or eliminating the functional limitations imposed by the disability.
Students are responsible for following the DSS adaptive testing policy and procedures and taking
appropriate steps to correct any problems.
This accommodation may be suspended if a student does not follow the policy and procedures. The student
must contact his/her Disability Specialist to clear up any difficulties or misunderstandings, before
the accommodation can be reinstated.
DISABILITY SERVICES for STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify the specific testing accommodations the student is eligible to use.
Provide appropriate assistive technology, test in alternate format or testing space, when not
available in the academic department
Consult and/or problem solve with the instructor when appropriate.
Adhere to the Code of Student Life policy on scholastic dishonesty.
FACULTY RESPONSIBLITIES
Provide the testing accommodations authorized by DSS.
For example, work with the student to find a mutually agreed upon testing time, suitable
testing room, or arrange for access to a computer..
Make arrangements to deliver and pick up the test, when DSS is providing the testing space.
Fill out the “Faculty Instructions for Testing at DSS” form for each test delivered to DSS.
Be available during the testing time for questions from the student, DSS proctor, reader or
scribe.
Consult with DSS when appropriate.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Request adaptive testing from DSS.
Follow the Adaptive Testing policy and procedures.
Discuss need for accommodations with the instructor.
Notify DSS and/or the instructor of any changes in the arrangements.
Report any problems to DSS and/or the instructor immediately, so appropriate steps can be taken to correct the situation.
Adaptive testing is authorized by Disability Services for Students (DSS) for those students
whose disability requires specific accommodations for the reading and/or writing of an exam.
These procedures are to be followed in arranging for adaptive testing.
At the beginning of each semester, the student will meet with their Disability Specialist to
discuss their adaptive testing needs.
The Disability Specialist will provide the student with a letter verifying the need for adaptive
testing and identifying the specific accommodation(s) needed.
Discuss your need for testing accommodations with each of your instructors. You need only to
identify the accommodations needed and that you have a disability. You do not need to specify what
kind of disability you have or how it affects you unless you feel comfortable doing so. Testing
accommodations should be provided during regular class hours. If other arrangements need to
be made, work them out with your instructor. Show him/her the letter provided by DSS if necessary.
DSS recommends that you discuss your need for testing accommodations with your instructor at the
beginning of the semester. It is also recommended that you remind your instructor of your specific
needs approximately one week before each exam.
Sign up for a reader/writer 5 working days before the exam at DSS. It is very important that ALL the
following information be provided: your name, date and time of test, location, subject, amount of time
needed for test, and instructor's name.
The reader/writer will be at the agreed upon location at the date and time requested.
If an appropriate testing environment cannot be found near the classroom where the exam is
being given, arrangements can be made (with instructor approval) to take the test at DSS.
If the test is to be taken in DSS, note that location on the test sign up sheet.
The reader/writer has been trained in test administration. They will not provide any information
that would improve your exam answers. Please understand your reader's role and do not put them or
yourself in a difficult position by asking them for assistance with exam questions.
You may, however, discuss with the reader how you would like the test questions read. For
example do you want each question automatically read twice or do you prefer to ask it to be read
a second time if necessary?
Disability Services for Students (DSS) provides adaptive testing to eligible students
with a disability that adversely affects them when testing under regular testing conditions.
Testing accommodations provide access to the test by minimizing or eliminating the functional
limitations imposed by the disability.
It is the student’s responsibility to follow the DSS adaptive testing policy and procedures and
take appropriate steps to correct any problems.
If the student does not follow the policy and procedures, this accommodation may be suspended
until the student has contacted their Disability Specialist and cleared up any difficulties
or misunderstandings.
OBTAINING THE ACCOMMODATION
Find out how you will be tested (multiple choice,
essay, oral presentation, etc) in
each of your courses by reading the course syllabus or talking with the instructor.
Decide if you will need adaptive testing.
See your Disability Specialist to request
adaptive testing well in advance of the first test.
Your Disability Specialist will give you a letter verifying your need for testing
accommodations and listing the specific accommodations you are eligible to
use.
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO TEST WITH ACCOMMODATIONS
Talk with your instructor at the beginning of the semester:
Discuss your need for testing accommodations with each of your instructors. You must say
you have a disability, when requesting test accommodations, but you don’t have to give the
specific diagnosis.
When negotiating how the testing accommodation will be provided, be ready to describe
the “functional limitations” caused by your disability. For example, “My disability interferes
with concentration, so it takes me longer to understand and think through the question and my
answer. Therefore, I am eligible to use a time extension of one and one half the normal
testing time.”
If an instructor asks for verification of your need for accommodations, show her/him the
letter you received from your Disability Specialist. You are not required to give a copy of
the letter to the instructor.
Work with your instructor to find a room in the class building and test at the same
time as the class, whenever possible. You should have similar access to the instructor
as the other students testing. You do not have to schedule your test during a time you
have another class.
You are responsible for reminding your instructor of your testing arrangements. We
recommend that you do so one week before each test.
SCHEDULING A READER, SCRIBE, ACCESS TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OR A DSS TESTING ROOM
The instructor will decide if an
appropriate testing room or assistive technology is not available in your classroom
building. With the instructor’s approval, you can schedule a room at DSS. DSS has
very limited testing space, so students and faculty should make every effort to find
testing space in the academic department.
It is also your responsibility to
request a reader, and/or scribe. You can call or email DSS or fill out the test
sign up sheet at DSS.
Notify DSS of your need for a DSS testing
room, reader, scribe or assistive technology at least 5 working days before the test,
so DSS has enough time to make the arrangements.
TESTING AT DSS
DSS arranges to have the test brought to our office and returned. Students should
not get involved in handling the test.
The student is responsible for being on time. If you are late, DSS will
not extend the scheduled testing time. You have the option to take
the test in the shortened time period or ask the instructor if you can
reschedule.
The DSS proctor, reader or scribe will not answer any questions about the test but will
allow the student to call the instructor. If the instructor cannot be reached, DSS
recommends you attach a note to the test explaining the situation.
DSS expects students to adhere to the policy on scholastic dishonesty printed in the
Code of Student Life. If cheating is suspected, DSS will stop the testing and notify
the instructor.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
If the test reader or scribe does not arrive at the designated time, call DSS. Also inform your instructor.
If you have a concern about how the reader or scribe is performing their job, stop testing and talk about it. If you are unable to resolve the issue, call DSS.
Although not required by all instructors, DSS recommends that you leave your coat, backpack and other items outside the testing room to avoid any misperceptions about cheating.
You are not obligated to take a test without your specific accommodations or with only part of your accommodation, if you have made a good faith effort to arrange the accommodation in a timely manner. If, however, you agree to take the test without the accommodation, you are also agreeing to accept the grade you receive.
If something goes wrong with your accommodation, DSS recommends that you stop testing; go to the instructor or whoever has been designated and ask that the problem be corrected. For example, if people are walking through the room, you could ask that a sign be posted on the door.
Be sure you know where to leave the completed test. If you cannot find the person designated to take your test, go to someone else in the department and explain the situation. Do not take the test out of the department.