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RCPD is committed to taking the steps required to facilitate the attainment of a degree for all students with disabilities.
-Hal & Phyllis Wochholz, 2007 Outstanding Alumni

Alternative Testing Guidelines Expanded

I. Introduction

Occasionally, a student in a class will need to arrange an alternative method for taking course examinations due to a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability. Most students with disabilities can take their examinations in the usual manner, along with everyone else, and we at RCPD encourage them to do so.

However, some students would be at a competitive disadvantage if required to take tests under standard classroom conditions. For example, a student with a visual or learning disability may need an exam read aloud and the answers scribed on a score sheet. A student with a psychiatric disability or brain injury may need to test in a quiet, separate place and require extra testing time. Another student may need to use a closed-circuit television (CCTV) to magnify the printed exam. A student with limited hand dexterity may need to dictate answers to a scribe or computer with voice recognition software. Each situation requires an alternative testing procedure.

Whatever testing procedure is adopted, it is important that it measures the student's knowledge of the course content and not the student's disability. If unsure of the student's disability status or in need of clarification on individual accommodations, faculty may contact RCPD.

II. Eligibility for Alternative Testing

Students who request alternative testing should be registered with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). An RCPD specialist will assess the individual student's needs and recommend appropriate alternative testing arrangements. The RCPD specialist reviews factors including whether the disability would impede test performance or place the student at a competitive disadvantage if tested under standard classroom conditions.

Alternative testing is available to those with a documented disability affecting performance on tests. Not everyone registered with RCPD is eligible for alternative testing accommodations. Faculty are under no obligation to provide accommodations for students with disabilities unless the student has registered and documented a disability with RCPD. Students with documented disabilities requiring some form of accommodation receive a Verified Individualized Services and Accommodations (VISA) document which displays verified testing accommodations when appropriate. Faculty are urged to request and review the VISA form prior to supporting or facilitating accommodations. Appropriate accommodations are determined by Disability Specialists at the RCPD; Faculty do not determine accommodations.

III. Tools for Accommodation

Extended Time

Extended time is permitted only if the student would be disadvantaged taking an exam in a given time span. The most frequent accommodation is 50% extra time. This accommodation is used by students with information processing difficulties such as learning, attention deficit, psychiatric or brain injury disabilities. Certain circumstances warrant 100% additional time; an example of such a situation is a student requiring alternative formats for text presentation (e.g., Braille, large print, or audio). In rare cases, time and a half or double time is not a sufficient accommodation. Such situations require individual assessment and consultation with RCPD.

Alternative Testing Formats

A reader is a person who reads printed material either on audiotape or in person for a student who is unable to make effective use of printed material. A scribe is a person who writes or types for a student who is unable to write effectively due to a disability. RCPD trained readers and scribes are instructed not to offer textual interpretations or alterations of content. They are passive participants in the reading/writing process. The reader or scribe is instructed not to comment on the test or give any form of input. However, in the case of blindness or visual disability, it may be necessary for the reader to offer an explanation of the layout or appearance of a page. This is necessary if the layout of the test item involves visual elements such as pictures, graphs or complex tabular information.

For some students, large print or Braille versions of test material represent the most appropriate accommodations. RCPD works directly with faculty to coordinate the provision of these testing formats. Advance notice is critical for successful production of Braille or large print tests. These formats may require the use of a scribe for recording answers.

Assistive Technology

Sometimes a student requires assistive technology to complete an exam. RCPD can facilitate the use of adaptive equipment (such as talking calculators, CCTVs, Braille writers, 4-track cassette players and computers with adaptive hardware and software). A student registered with RCPD will be allowed extended time when using such equipment.

Alternative Testing Environments

In most cases, students should be required to take a test in the same classroom at the same time with the other students. If an accommodation demands the exam be administered in a place other than the regular exam site, efforts should be made to provide a setting free from interruptions and distractions. The location should also provide adequate privacy for working with a reader, scribe, or adaptive equipment if necessary. Proctoring should be provided. A student should not be expected to cope with distractions in hallways, departmental offices, and other public areas. A good option is a vacant classroom with the door closed. If an appropriate testing site can not be arranged by the instructor, the student may reserve an alternative testing room by calling the RCPD at 353-9642 ext. 221.

IV. Procedures for Implementing Accommodations

A student has the responsibility to discuss testing accommodation needs with the instructor early in the semester. Early notification allows the student, faculty and RCPD to determine appropriate arrangements in advance. RCPD advises students to discuss alternative testing arrangements with their instructors during scheduled office hours or by appointment.

Providing Extended Time

Upon receiving notification from a student of the need for extended time the instructor should consider the student's request. The instructor has the right to request verification of eligibility for the accommodation (see the VISA form provided to each RCPD registered student). The instructor may determine that providing the accommodation is best handled by allowing students to begin testing prior to the posted starting time. Alternatively, allowing extra time at the end of the test may provide an appropriate accommodation. If the requests seem unusual or unreasonable, the faculty is encouraged to contact RCPD for consultation.

Providing Alternative Testing Formats

When a student requires the use of a reader or scribe, he or she should submit a request to RCPD at least one week before the test date (two weeks for final exams). RCPD will then provide a trained, impartial volunteer to read the exam and/or record answers. Under no circumstances is a student with a disability responsible for finding his or her own reader or scribe.

Faculty members are responsible for verifying the relationship between reader and student and providing extended time for completing the exam if a reader or scribe is used. In certain situations, faculty may wish to work directly with RCPD to schedule a reader or scribe, such as for unannounced (pop) quizzes or when a test is rescheduled with less than a week's notice.

When a student requests large print, the instructor should contact RCPD to arrange delivery of the standard print exam for enlarging. It takes RCPD a day or two to complete the enlargement but a lead time of one week is most helpful (and is required during final exams or midterms). In many cases, the most effective solution involves RCPD providing the instructor with a small amount of instruction on producing large print via a standard copy machine or laser printer. In this case, the student should inform the instructor about the specifics of an effective enlargement.

If a student needs Braille for a test, RCPD will work directly with the faculty member to arrange production. If the test or quiz is available on computer disk, the process of "Brailing" the test takes very little time (two days lead time is usually sufficient with a week being preferred). However, if the test is only available in paper form, the production time can range from a few days to a week or more. The key factor when planning for Braille testing is lead time. In most cases, Braille testing also involves a need for the student to schedule a scribe for recording answers. Finally, use of these formats will also require extended time for exam completion.

Scheduling Assistive Technology

The student is responsible for requesting and scheduling the use of RCPD adaptive equipment. Before planning the use of equipment, the student or faculty member should consult with an RCPD specialist regarding feasibility. A request for the use of any assistive technology at RCPD must be made at least one week before the test date (two weeks for final exams).

Scheduling an Appropriate Testing Facility

In most situations, where testing accommodations will occur in or near the classroom, the faculty member is responsible for arranging an appropriate test site and proctoring the exam. Readers and scribes are not responsible for proctoring.

If the faculty member is unable to provide an appropriate testing site, RCPD may be able to administer the test. RCPD is available by appointment for test proctoring during the hours of 8 am – 4:30 pm.

Staff at the RCPD are responsible for proctoring all exams given in their offices. Students will test in a distraction-free room with the door closed. RCPD prefers that students with disabilities take the test at the same time as the class.

If an alternative testing facility is required, the student is responsible for calling the RCPD to reserve a room at least one week before the test is to be administered (two weeks for final exams) and ensure that the instructor has a blank copy of the RCPD Alternative Testing Site Authorization form well in advance of the test. RCPD may be unable to provide requested accommodations if advance notice is not received.

The instructor is responsible for delivering the exam and the completed and signed Alternative Testing Site Authorization form prior to exam time to 120 Bessey Hall. Any changes on the test or last minute instructions for examinees must also be conveyed to the RCPD allowing students using alternative testing to benefit from the updated information. Tests should be delivered during the hours of 8 am – 4:30 pm. Departmental staff may be assigned to deliver the test; however, the test should not be delivered by a student. Also, avoid using campus mail or FAX as the document can be lost, misdirected, or ruined as a result of mechanical failure.

Any student with a disability has the right to reasonable accommodations. However, along with rights come responsibilities. The staff proctoring the exam will read a statement to the student before testing. The student is requested to follow standard testing procedures such as not leaving the testing room during the test and not taking personal belongings into the testing room. If the student is found in violation of the testing procedures, the test will be taken from the student and the department notified immediately. The opportunity to test at the RCPD will be suspended until the matter is resolved. If the student with disabilities does not show up at the appointed time, the test envelope will remain sealed in a locked file. The instructor's department will be notified of the absence.

When the student has completed the exam, it will be locked in a file. Faculty or an assigned departmental staff member should pick up the exam from 120 Bessey Hall within forty-eight hours of its completion. The person receiving the completed exam will be asked to sign the Alternative Testing Site Authorization form. This serves as a record of the time and date of exam completion as well as the accommodations provided.

 

Alternative Testing Site Authorization Form

Contact Information

Pam Pope

Pam Pope

Receptionist
Alternative Testing Facilitator
(517) 884-1900


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