Assessment Accommodations General Guidelines

Evaluation Tool/Guidelines and Success Criteria: Reduce access barriers to directions and stimuli Directions – Provide options that enhance clarity and accessibility: What is expected of students? Stimuli - Assessment Materials

Evaluation Tool/Guidelines and Success Criteria: Study Guides Provided in advance of test Enhance material knowledge Review Time Dedicated in-class time to answer questions Emphasize key points to study Strategies Provide students with different ways to study Give personal best practices you used to study for “big” tests Test Type Utilize varied types of tests Verbal, Written, Demonstration, or Project/Performance

Response Accommodations Visual Organizers: Graph paper Highlighters Place markers Scratch paper Setting: Reduce distractions to student/to other students Change location in which student participates in the assessment

Response Accommodations Timing/Scheduling: Processing Time (thoughts and writing) Concentration (need frequent breaks) Order of Activities (change in schedule)

Suggestions for Test Accommodations State questions as simply and briefly as possible (simple language/words; short simple sentences; use concrete terms) Avoid asking questions that require multiple answers (break the question into multiple questions if necessary) Assign point values to each question and print values on the test (this strategy helps the student budget time when taking a test)

Suggestions for Test Accommodations Try to balance the test items with regard to format and value (this will give the student who has problems with multiple-choice sections a chance to pass on the basis of ability in other sections)

Suggestions for Test Accommodations Underline or highlight important/key words in the test directions or in the test items (topic sentences, etc.) Have student repeat or explain directions to check for understanding Put less information on a page ‘Section’ the paper – draw lines, fold Cue student to begin work and to stay on task

Suggestions for Test Accommodations Try different types of paper (ex. graph paper) Provide more space for answers Provide note card to reduce quantity of print that is visible Provide visual cues on board for all verbal directions

Ideas/Examples of Different Methods of Testing: Original Format – Matching or Definition Alternate Formats – Group the matching sets in small groups (5-6) instead of a longer listing Option of oral test Print only the words on the page and give the definition orally Provide equal number answers to item choices

Adapting Testing Methods Original Format: Fill-In The Blank or Completion Alternate Formats – Oral Test Provide key words (Word Bank) Original Format – Multiple Choice - Read questions and answers aloud - Emphasize key words in the questions (Underline, Bold, Italicize, etc.)

Adapting Testing Methods Original Format – True or False Alternate Formats – Use only simple, straightforward statements Avoid double negatives Original Format – Essay - Audio recorded oral response - Modified essay/short answer (ex. Briefly describe the ___ steps in the writing process)

Adapting Testing Methods Original Format – Identification or Labeling Alternate Format – - Use testing procedures which ask the student to “point to” or “select” the correct item described Example: Write the names of the items that improve aerodynamics in the correct location on the vehicle. Choose From: Decklid Spoiler / Door-Mounted Mirrors / Contoured Air Dam

IF POSSIBLE… For all verbal directions encourage students to write notes/memos to themselves concerning important ideas Give verbal as well as written directions Consider adjusting presentation and evaluation modes Shorten work periods Give more objective than subjective items Immediate feedback is important

IF POSSIBLE… Give the same test to all students, but score some on the priority items only (see SDIs) Avoid penalizing for grammar, handwriting, and spelling Increase allowable time for test completion Circulate to ensure focus

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein