Testing Accomodations for Students with Disabilities
About Testing Accommodations
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require postsecondary schools to provide appropriate academic adjustments as necessary to ensure that they do not discriminate on the basis of disability. Testing accommodations are changes in test administration that enable students to participate in assessments in a way that allows abilities rather than disabilities to be assessed . They are provided to "level the playing field." Without accommodations, the assessment may not accurately measure the student’s knowledge and skills. MATC provides test taking facilities at Truax, Downtown, and Regional Campuses. Proctors are present to provide monitoring and allowed accommodations. In order to be eligible for testing accommodations, students must have a documented disability and arrange services through Disability Resources.
Types of Accommodations
Actual testing accommodations are based on the individual’s disability and are determined through Disability Resources. The following are examples of some testing accommodations:
- Separate, Quiet testing space: Some students require an environment that limits distraction as much as possible in order to maintain the level of concentration needed for a test. Some students need to talk out loud.
- Extended time: This is probably the most common accommodation. For most test takers the standard extension is time and a half, but extended time is reviewed on a case by case basis by Disability Resource staff. Extended time is used to accommodate a variety of disabilities (physical, emotional, learning). Whenever an auxiliary aid such as a scribe or adaptive equipment is used, extended time should be provided.
- Test Reader/Test on Tape: Some students need to hear test questions out loud. The test is either read to the student by a proctor or the test is read on to tape in advance. Either way, the reader only reads verbatim what is on the test without any interpretation of test questions, and no voice inflection or other direct/indirect cues to the student about the appropriate response. Adaptive equipment can also be used in place of a live reader.
- Scribe: The use of a scribe is an appropriate accommodation for someone who has difficulty writing independently. As with a test reader, the scribe only writes down or enters on the computer verbatim what the student has given as a response or fills in the scantron.
- Alternative formats: Tests can be placed in alternative formats such as large print or Braille. Adaptive equipment, such as a magnifier, is also available.
Information and Forms for Faculty
In order to be eligible for testing accommodations, a student needs to show the instructor an accommodation card that has been issued by Disability Resources.
Students are required to initiate all necessary testing accommodations and reservations for testing.
Guidelines: The guidelines outline student and faculty responsibilities. They also provide information on testing center hours of availability.
Form: The following form provides the information necessary for staff to proctor the exam as well as how the exam should be returned to the instructor. It can be filled out and emailed along with the test to ACCOMTesting@matcmadison.edu or deliver with exam to appropriate test site.
Information and Forms for Students
Accommodation Card: A copy of the student accommodation card must be on file in order to test in the testing centers.
- Truax campus — Bring your card to room 232 and staff will make a copy.
- Downtown campus — Bring your card to room D205 and staff will make a copy.
- Regionals — Your campus DRS specialist will forward the information to the Testing Coordinator.
Guidelines: The guidelines outline student responsibilities for using the testing centers. They also provide information on testing center hours of availability.
Forms: Students must sign up for accommodations at least 3 days in advance with the Student Sign-Up Sheet. Students at Truax & DTEC are also responsible for providing the Delivery Sheet to instructors at least 3 days in advance. (Exception-- Final exams require that these forms be completed 10 days in advance)
Campus Locations for Testing Accommodations and Paperwork:
- Truax- Rm 232 (next to the Library)
- Downtown- Rm D205
- Fort Atkinson, Portage, Reedsburg, and Watertown- Campus Front Office or DRS Specialist Office
Contact Us
Kristin Frederickson, District Coordinator for Testing Accommodations
Truax Campus, Room 232
608-243-4217 or 1-800-322-6282 ext 4217
Email: kfrederickson@matcmadison.edu
In order to set up testing, fill out forms, or speak with staff:
Truax — Room 232
Downtown — Room D205
Regionals — Contact Kristin Frederickson directly by email or phone
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