Testing Accommodations Process and Procedures

Testing accommodations are approved for students who encounter disability-related barriers while taking exams/quizzes.

Students with disabilities who are requesting accommodations will follow the established process for requesting accommodations:

  1. Completing a new SDC student application. 
  2. Contacting the SDC to set up an appointment.
  3. Engaging in the interactive accommodations process.
  4. Submitting relevant disability documentation, as needed.

Definitions  

The SDC recognizes that instructors use different terminology to describe components of their courses. For the purposes of these accommodations the following definitions will be used.

  • Exam/quiz: An assessment that is designed to be completed in one sitting without interruption and is scheduled to start and end at specific times with a set amount of time in which to complete the assessment.
    • Example: The exam is scheduled from 1:00-1:50, and students have 50 minutes to answer 30 questions.
  • At-home exam/quiz: An assessment for which students have a window of time to start and submit the assessment- and, once the exam has been started, it is designed to be completed in one sitting without interruption.
    • Example: students are given seven days to complete a 30-minute, 15-question quiz.
  • Take-home exam/quiz: An assessment for which students have a window of time to complete the assessment. During this window of time, students can spend as much time as they wish on the assessment. The assessment does not need to be completed in one sitting.
    • Example: students have one week to complete a five-essay question take-home exam.

Accommodation Procedures

If testing accommodations are approved the following process will occur:

  1. The student will log into their SDC Student Portal to send their accommodation letter to their instructor. The accommodation letter will provide details about what testing accommodations the student has been approved for. 
  2. The student and instructor will communicate about the accommodations and discuss any logistics related to them.
  3. The student and instructor will take any necessary steps to provide/coordinate the accommodation.
  4. If any questions or concerns arise, the student and/or the instructor will contact the SDC as soon as possible to inform them of the questions or concerns. The SDC staff will assist in answering any questions or resolving any concerns that arise.

SDC Accessible Testing Center 

Instructors have the right to proctor exams/quizzes for students with approved accommodations. The SDC recognizes often instructors do not have the resources to fully provide a student with their approved accommodations. The SDC Accessible Testing Center (ATC) is a resource available to support faculty with proctoring and providing testing accommodations for in-person exams/quizzes.

The ATC provides coordination and proctoring facilities for students who have been approved for testing accommodations. The ATC is not available to proctor exams/quizzes for students who have not been approved for testing accommodations.

 Accommodation Guidelines

The following guidelines provide additional details and logistical information about how various testing accommodations function and need to be implemented. If students or faculty have questions about these guidelines or how to implement an accommodation, they should contact the SDC.

Assistive Technology

  • Students are allowed to use assistive technology while taking exams/quizzes.
  • Assistive technology can include, but is not limited to, a computer/tablet, specialized software/apps, magnifiers, refreshable braille displays, etc.
  • Students are expected to know how to use the assistive technology they wish to use for their exams/quizzes. Students can work with the Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) for assistance with learning how to use different types of assistive technology.
  • Instructors are not responsible for providing assistive technology to students.
  • Some online/virtual proctoring tools interfere with assistive technology. Students and instructors should contact the SDC with any concerns related to this. The SDC will provide assistance in resolving the issue.

Breaks

  • Break accommodations allow students to take breaks during their exam/quizzes for disability-related reasons.
  • Unless specified on the accommodation letter, the exam/quiz time is not paused while students are taking a break.
  • During their breaks, students are not permitted to access their phone or other electronic devices or any course-related materials.

Bathroom Breaks

  • Students may take multiple breaks to use the bathroom during exams/quizzes.
  • Students must inform the proctor when they are taking a bathroom break.
  • For exams proctored using an online/virtual proctor, the student should communicate with their instructor about when they take a bathroom break during the exam/quiz.

Non-Bathroom Breaks

  • Students may take one or more breaks during exams/quizzes.
  • Students need to stay within the view of the proctor.
  • For exams proctored using an online/virtual proctor, the student needs to stay within the view of the virtual proctor.

Broken Up Exams/Quizzes

  • The student needs to have larger exams/quizzes broken up over multiple days.
  • Scheduling of broken up exam/quizzes needs to be discussed and coordinated between the student and instructor. The SDC can provide assistance with this if needed.
  • The instructor will break the exam/quiz up into multiple sections. The student will only have access to one section at a time.
  • Once a section is started, it needs to be completed before moving onto another section.
  • Once the student has completed a section, they will not be able to go back to that section.

Cell Phone or Smart Watch as a Medical Device

  • The student uses their phone or smart watch as a medical device and needs to be able to access it during exams/quizzes.
  • The specific type of device the student has been approved to use during exams/quizzes will be indicated on their accommodation letter.
  • If the student needs to access the device during an exam/quiz they will notify the proctor and have the proctor monitor them while they use the device.
  • If a student accesses their phone or smart watch without notifying the proctor, this will be reported to the instructor. The instructor may consider this academic misconduct and may refer the situation to the student conduct process.

Exam/Quiz Room/Environment Type

  • Students need to be able to take exams/quizzes in the room/environment type listed on their accommodation letter.
  • For at home and take-home exams/quizzes, the student is responsible for ensuring the environment they complete their exams/quizzes in meets their accommodation needs.

Non-Fluorescent Lighting

  • A room that has non-fluorescent lighting.
  • Alternatives can include, but are not limited to,
    • LED overhead lighting.
    • Table or floor lamps with incandescent or LED) light bulbs.
    • Natural lighting from outdoor-facing windows.

Room Alone

  • A room with no other students.
  • Noise and distractions will be reduced, though complete silence cannot be guaranteed.
  • Proctoring staff may be present in the room.
  • Students may orally/verbally process information.

Room with Limited Distractions

  • A room with no more than 25 students.
  • A room where noise and distractions are limited, though complete silence cannot be guaranteed.
  • Additional physical space should be given between each student to help reduce distractions.
  • Proctoring staff may be present in the room. 

Semi-Private Testing Space

  • A room where the student’s ability to see and hear other students is limited.
  • A room where noise and distractions are limited, though complete silence cannot be guaranteed.
  • Additional physical space should be given between each student to help reduce distractions. 
  • Semi-private spaces can be created using, but not limited to, the following.
    • Solid room dividers.
    • Pipe-and-drape dividers 
    • Table-top dividers
  • Proctoring staff may be present in the room.

Small Testing Space

  • A room with no more than 10 students.
  • A room where noise and distractions are limited, though complete silence cannot be guaranteed.
  • Additional physical space should be given between each student to help reduce distractions.
  • Proctoring staff may be present in the room. 

Extended Exam/Quiz Time

  • Students will be provided additional time to complete exams/quizzes. The amount of time a student needs to be given will be outlined in their accommodation letter.
  • The additional time is based on the amount of time given for the class to complete the same exam.
  • Extended time does not apply to the window of time that students are given to start an at-home exam/quiz. The extended time does apply to the time given to complete the exam/quiz once it has been started.
  • Extended time does not apply to the window of time students are given to complete a take-home exam.
  • For any online proctored exam/quiz, the instructor needs to enter the additional time into the system before the student starts the exam/quiz. As well as informing the proctor of any accommodations the student is approved for.
    • If the student goes to take an online exam/quiz and they notice their extended time or other accommodations have not been provided, the student should not take the exam/quiz. The student should contact the instructor and the SDC to inform them of the situation. The instructor and/or SDC will resolve the issue before the student takes their exam/quiz. 

Memory Aids

  • If a student is approved for use of a memory aid on exams/quizzes the details of what type of memory aid will be outlined in the accommodation letter.
  • Memory aids need to be approved by the instructor prior to the exam/quiz.
  • If a student arrives to their exam/quiz with a memory aid that has not been approved by the instructor, they will not be allowed to use it.
  • Instructors have the right to ask students to remove information from a memory aid that will provide direct answers to exam/quiz questions.
  • The memory aid needs to be turned in with the completed exam.

No Scantron

  • The student will not use a scantron to indicate exam/quiz answers. Instead the student will indicate their answers either on the exam/quiz or on a separate sheet/document.
  • The instructor will need to manually grade the exam/quiz or fill in the scantron for the student.

Paper-Based Exams/Quizzes

  • The student needs to have all exams/quizzes provided in printed paper format.
  • Students will complete the exam on the paper copy instead of on a computer.
  • The student is not expected to enter their answers into the computer-based version of the exam/quiz.

Reader

  • Students will have access to a person who can read the exam/quiz out loud to them.
  • A reader can read all or part of the exam/quiz to the student.
  • Students will inform the reader of what parts of the exam/quiz they need read out loud.
  • Readers may also serve as an exam/quiz proctor.
  • Readers may or may not have experience and knowledge of the course content.
  • Readers will read exam/quiz instructions, questions, and answer choices exactly as they are written. Readers will not rephrase, clarify, or define anything on the exam/quiz.

Scribe

  • Students will have access to a person who can write down/type their answers to exam/quiz questions.
  • A scribe may also serve as the exam proctor.
  • Scribes may or may not have experience/knowledge of the course content.
  • Scribes will write/type what the student tells them. Scribes will not add or change any information.
  • For vocabulary or complex terminology, the scribe will ask the student how the word should be spelled.

Snacks/Drinks During Exams/Quizzes

  • The student needs to be able to have access to snacks/drinks during exams/quizzes.
  • Students are responsible for providing their own snacks/drinks.
  • The proctor has the right to inspect the snacks/drinks to ensure no unauthorized exam/quiz information is present.
  • Accessing snacks/drinks cannot be loud, disruptive, or distracting to others.
  • Snacks/drinks are not allowed in lab environments. If a student is taking a lab-based exam/quiz they will need to leave the room to access their snacks/drinks.

Use of Music During Exams

  • The student will be allowed to listen to music during exams/quizzes.
  • The student will play music from a personal device with headphones.
  • The device will be checked by the proctor before the exam/quiz.
  • During the exam/quiz, the device will be disconnected from the internet and cellular data.
  • The device will be placed face down on the desk and the student will not touch the device during the exam.
  • If the student needs to touch the device, they need to inform the proctor.
  • Adjusting volume or changing of song through headphone controls is permitted.
  • If the student touches the device during the exam without informing the proctor, this will be reported to the instructor. The instructor may consider this academic misconduct and refer the incident to the student conduct process.

Fundamental Alteration

If a faculty member believes that testing accommodations will create a fundamental alteration to the essential objectives of their course, they must engage with https://accessibility.colostate.edu/disabilitycenter/policies-and-procedures/fundamental-alteration-and-accommodation-procedure/ to determine whether this is a fundamental alteration. Until a determination has been made through this process, the accommodation needs to be provided for the student. If it is determined that an accommodation needs to be adjusted that will be communicated to the student by the SDC.