Testing - Child with a Disability
What Parents Should Know About Standardized Tests
Schools across the nation are administering standardized tests. How do these affect the student with a disability? What accommodations can be made during testing?
Standardized tests are given to all students to determine how they are doing in comparison to their peers locally and across the nation. School districts are especially interested in standardized test scores because they are indicators about how the district is faring with No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
What happens when the child with a disability takes a standardized test?
The answer largely depends on the student’s IEP (Individual Education Program).
When the IEP team meets for a student’s Annual Review, testing accommodations (among many things) are discussed. The following are considerations:
- Is the student able to take the standardized test used by the school district? In most cases, the answer will be yes. In a few cases, students will be given Alternate Assessment.
- Will the student need accommodations for testing? Typically, if the student is given accommodations during routine testing in class, he will also be given accommodations for standardized testing. If he is not given accommodations on routine testing in class, he will not have accommodations listed for standardized testing.
What are some common accommodations for a student with a disability?
- Taking the test in another room
- Taking the test in a smaller group of students
- Having directions read
- Having test read (except for reading test)
- Using a test in a different format (braille, large print, another language)
- Using assistive equipment (auditory processor, calculator, etc.)
- Extended time
How are accommodations decided?
The individual needs of the student drive the IEP and inclusively, the testing accommodations listed (if any).
How can parents assist at home prior to and during a testing week?
Discuss the following as the test approaches:
- Importance of doing the child’s best on the test
- Stay calm and concentrate.
- Skip questions not known and come back to those.
- Check the answer sheet to make sure all the questions are answered.
Have your child:
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Eat a good breakfast. (Protein is usually helpful.)
What are standardized tests like?
Some state board of education websites offer practice standardized tests. In addition, there are commercial companies who write materials that reflect standardized test subjects and even practice test items. The Buckle Down Publishing Company has a variety of materials for this purpose.
A Word of Caution
The purpose of standardized testing is to see what the student truly knows in relationship to his peers. Although a site or book with test format practice can be helpful (i.e., what a test page looks like), trying to cram for a standardized test is not wise. Rather, parents are encouraged to work with their children throughout the school year to optimize learning and to approach testing week with support and confidence.
