Testing Accommodations
Tests, exams, and assessments often play a significant role in college admission, graduation, certifications, and employment decisions, and are also a key component of course requirements and grading criteria. However, without appropriate and effective accommodations, deaf students’ tests may not accurately reflect what they know and can do. Accommodations can mitigate barriers in testing situations to allow students to demonstrate knowledge and skills.
Why Test Accommodations are Important for Deaf Students
Test accommodations are an important part of ensuring test access for deaf students. Accommodations are unique for each student because deaf students have different language, communication, and cultural backgrounds, and may also have additional disabilities. This summary explains why deaf students have the right to accommodations when taking tests, and options that may improve access.
Testing Accommodations for Deaf Students
Accommodations are an appropriate solution to address testing barriers. The ADA allows for accommodations in testing settings. The U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Requirements: Testing Accommodations states:
“A testing entity must administer its exam so that it accurately reflects an individual’s aptitude, achievement level, or the skill that the exam purports to measure, rather than the individual’s impairment.”
Determining accommodations is an individualized approach, and there is no one-to-one correlation for decisions in every testing circumstance. Decisions on what is effective must consider several factors, including the student’s background and the test’s purpose. Accommodation decision-making is a deliberative, collaborative, and interactive process that relies on student contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it appropriate to use a sign language interpreter for testing?
Interpreters should be available for any communication required in the testing environment. They can relay instructions, instructor comments, and peer questions to deaf students. However, several factors must be considered when determining how to use interpreting services during testing. Ultimately, interpreting decisions for testing should be made on a case-by-case basis.
What documentation is appropriate to approve extended time as an accommodation?
While documentation can show past use of accommodations, it doesn’t capture the student’s whole experience. Disability services professionals must also consider the student’s individual needs and the specific context of the course or program when making decisions.
Planning Effective Testing Accommodations
Making tests accessible means finding the right balance between keeping tests consistent for everyone and allowing flexibility to meet individual student needs. Every student is different, and they may show what they know in different ways. A truly accessible test allows for those differences while measuring the same skills or knowledge.
The goal of accessible testing is to give all students, including those with disabilities, a fair chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned. This requires thoughtful accommodations supporting individual needs without changing the test measures.
Final Exam Preparation: Are Deaf Students Ready?
Testing is an important part of the educational process, but it can be challenging for deaf students. Fortunately, there are a number of testing accommodations that can help them demonstrate their true aptitude and achievement level. Disability service professionals play a vital role in helping deaf students access the testing accommodations they need.
Testing Experiences for Deaf Students Online Module
Tests are a common part of our educational landscape and are often gatekeepers for access to advanced training or job placement. Deaf people often face obstacles to fair testing. Testing Experiences for Deaf Students module introduces issues and concerns with testing deaf students, common accommodations for testing, and considerations for improving testing experiences for deaf students.
