It’s that time again!! It is time for your child with exceptionalities to take the end of nine weeks tests or even begin taking state standardized assessments. What accommodations can my child receive in order to help them be more successful? Accommodations that fit the needs of the student are typically determined by the child’s teacher and exceptional student education team.

When accommodations are necessary, they are listed in a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. The teacher must use the accommodations daily in the classroom for both in class assessments and state testing.

Some commonly used testing accommodations are to:

• Allow extra time to complete the test.

• Read test directions orally.

• Repeat test directions as needed.

• Ask the student to repeat directions in his or her own words.

• Have the student highlight key words in the directions and/or questions.

• Allow the student to take the test in a small-group setting.

• Allow the student to take the test individually.

• Allow the student to mark his/her answers directly on the test form.

• Provide frequent breaks.

• Break up the testing into several sessions.

• Read specific parts of the test to the student.

• Allow the student to answer orally instead of write the answers.

Sometimes a student’s exceptionality requires that modifications, or alterations, be made to the test itself. In other words, either the content of the test or the way it is administered is altered.

Here are few modifications that can be made to the test.

• Shorten the test or assignment

• Multiple choice answers with pictures.

• Visuals

Any accommodation or modification in testing must be consistently followed in the classroom on a daily basis. It is also important not to over-accommodate any one student. A student only needs accommodations or modifications to ensure that their exceptionality does not interfere with their chances for success in the classroom. The goal is for your child to be successful with any kind of testing.

For more information, here is a link to the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services guide to accommodations.

Leslie Haynes, B.Ed
Inclusion Teacher, Parent Advocate, and Special Olympics Coach
leslie@collaborativecorner.org

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