Western State College of Colorado

DISABILITY SERVICES HANDBOOK 2008-2009

Accommodation Procedures: Alternative Testing

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations. Accommodations that may be available to students include, but are not limited to: extended time, alternative test formats (e.g., oral tests or essay instead of multiple choice), a test setting with few distractions, a reader, a scribe, enlarged text, and word processing with spell check. Recommendations for testing accommodations are determined by the Disability Services (DS) staff following review of the documentation of disability submitted by the student. The student is responsible for delivering a DS "Notice of Accommodation" form to faculty members who teach the courses in which the student is requesting accommodations. Accommodations recommended by the DS staff are listed on this form.

Evaluating student progress in an academic setting is an essential component of the educational process. A modified test method is often a more accurate way to measure the ability or achievement of a student with a disability. Modifications are meant to neither heighten nor lessen the student’s chances for success or failure but to equalize opportunities. The ADA provides for equality of opportunity, but it does not guarantee equality of results.

The College is required to make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or pose an undue administrative or financial burden. Faculty judgment is important when determining whether a requested accommodation would fundamentally alter an essential element of a course or program. Students and faculty should discuss accommodations for each testing situation to determine whether recommended accommodations are reasonable and effective. Students and faculty are encouraged to contact the DS staff if consultation is needed regarding testing accommodations.

Testing accommodations may be provided by the faculty member, the academic department staff, or the DS staff. It is the responsibility of the academic department to provide appropriate accommodations if the test is proctored by the faculty member or the academic department staff.

The following are things to know when a student is taking a test in the DS office:

• The student must make testing arrangements with both the instructor and the DS staff. An "Alternative Testing Request Form" that includes information regarding test accommodations that have been agreed upon by the instructor, student, and DS staff must be completed for each test.

• The student should make arrangements at least one week in advance of each testing date.

• To schedule a test, the student may either call or stop by the DS office. Tests are given between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except during finals week when DS will proctor exams at regularly scheduled exam times or at a time agreed upon by the instructor, student, and DS staff.

• The "Alternative Testing Request Form" should be turned in to the DS office at least one week before the date of the test.

• Requests for a reader, scribe, computer with word processing, or other special accommodations must be indicated on the "Alternative Testing Request Form."

• Proctoring instructions must be approved by the instructor on the "Alternative Testing Request Form." Unless noted otherwise, the student may not use books, notes, or other materials during the test.

• The student may request to schedule the test at a date and/or time that is different from the actual class date and time of the test if, because of a schedule conflict, taking it at the actual class time does not allow for the provision of appropriate accommodations. The instructor must approve the alternative date and/or time.

• The start and finish times for the test must be provided on the "Alternative Testing Request Form." If an ending time or time limit is not indicated, it will be assumed that the student may have unlimited time.

• The student must arrive on time when taking tests in the DS office. The instructor will be notified if the student is more than fifteen minutes late for a scheduled test.

• If the student is unable to take the test at the scheduled time due to illness or an emergency, the student should contact both the instructor and the DS office as soon as possible. If the instructor allows the student to take a make-up test, the instructor must approve the date and time for the test.

• When testing in the DS office, the student may not leave the area for any reason without first checking with the DS staff.

• All tests taken in the DS office are proctored, and the integrity of the testing situation is maintained at all times. Cheating will be reported to the instructor. The instructor determines the consequences for cheating.

• Tests can be delivered to the DS office in many ways:

  1. The instructor may drop the test off at the DS office, as well as pick it up. This is a great help and is always appreciated.

  2. The instructor can e-mail the test to the DS office at: jedwards@western.edu.

  3. The instructor can fax the test to the DS office at: 943-3409.

  4. The student may pick up the test from the instructor or the department office and bring it to the DS office. Test security can be maintained if the test is put in a sealed envelope with a signature over the seal. The test can be returned to the instructor in the same way.

  5. The DS staff can pick up and return the test, though it is not always possible for the DS staff to pick up and/or return a test on the same day of the test. If the instructor requests that the DS staff pick up a test, it must be available on the day before the test is to be given. Every attempt will be made to return the test on the same day of the test or the following morning.

• Each test should be labeled with the student’s name.

Links to Accommodation Procedures:

• Alternative Formats of Text
• Alternative Testing
• Course Substitution
• Interpreter Services
• Notetaking Services
• Priority Registration
• Service Animals

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