TIPS Volume 3, No. 8
April, 2003

     Grade Level Key 
     = Elem, = Middle
     = High, = Teachers

Testing Accommodations and Special Education Students

An editorial from Carol Moffett,
Resource Specialist in Assistive Technology

When I started teaching in 1974, there were no labels on students. If they could not read or could not sit still they were deemed special education material and were sent to me in a portable classroom. We spent about 45% of our daily instruction time on reading, 45% of the time on math skills and 10% on the other stuff like writing, science, social studies and social skills. As I improved as a teacher I began to see the need to use the content area more so incorporated it as reading material. At that time when the other students took the CTBS and other tests my students came out to my room (they actually never left) and stayed quiet while others in the school took the test. 

When KERA came along all that changed. Special education students were to learn all that content stuff. We as special education teachers had spent all our time on reading and math and were definitely at a disadvantage. We got on the bandwagon quickly and enlisted our content area specialist's (content area teachers) help and we taught all those areas. Now we have special education students taking the tests just like all the others. 

I have gone through all this to reiterate the point the students that have accommodations and modifications throughout the year need to make sure that those are in place for testing. If they have always had access to a computer to write then they need that for the test. If they have had a scribe, a reader or any other human support that needs to continue. If they have not had it all year then they do NOT need it for testing. Testing is difficult enough without adding the burden of a newly presented modification that the student is not comfortable. Tape recordings of the test are hard to use unless you are familiar with equipment, can use the counter efficiently and feel comfortable in controlling that outcome. The bottom line on testing and accommodations is simple-if they are doing it all year prior to testing we do for the test.

Any questions or comments please feel free to email me or call me.

Carol D. Moffett—ATP
Special Education Resource Specialist in Assistive Technology