Maximizing the Probability of Receiving Accommodations on Standardized Tests

College Board and ACT

College Board and ACT

Maximizing the Probability of Receiving Accommodations on

What is SSD?

• SSD = Services for Students with Disabilities • SSD “levels the playing field” in the college

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testing process.

• Once a student is approved by College Board (s)he is approved for the following: Board, (s)he is approved for the following: PSAT/NSMQT, SAT I, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams.

• Students who are approved are given an SSD Number to use when registering for all CB exams

Applying for SSD

At 9th d A l R i ll t ill b • At 9th grade Annual Reviews, all parents will be

given a College Board SSD Eligibility Form to complete by June 1st.p y

• This will give the SSD Coordinator time to complete the form and send it to College Board to ensure

adequate processing time for the October PSAT adequate processing time for the October PSAT. The PSAT deadline is typically mid-July.

• College Board requires a minimum of seven weeks g q prior to a test date to review all appropriate

documentation. If anything additional needs to be submitted then the seven week clock begins again submitted then the seven week clock begins again upon receipt of the new documentation.

Application Process

-Application Process

College Board

• Students and parents must complete Page 1 (front and back) of SSD g ( )

Eligibility Form and return to SSD Coordinator.

• Parent signature is critical so school can release IEP/504/additional testing can release IEP/504/additional testing data to College Board.

College Board

College Board

Accommodations

• Students approved for 50% extended time will take the exam on the National Saturday test date.

• Students approved for school-based testing or more pp g than 50% are given a 4-day window to complete

testing.

• All students MUST begin testing on the same day, g g y preferably the national Saturday test date. The four days include Saturday, Sunday, Monday and

Tuesday.

St d t MUST th i d d ti

• Students MUST use their approved accommodations. They are not permitted to leave the testing room early if they finish. The extended time is given to them by section

College Board

College Board

Accommodations

• Use of computer (for essays)

• Writer/scribe to record dictated responses S ll i

• Small-group testing • One-to-one testing

More College Board

More College Board

Accommodations

• Braille test

• Large print test bookg p • Enlarged answer sheet • Extra breaks

• Extended breaks • Preferential seatingPreferential seating

• Permission for medication/food/drinks during testes

Application Process

• Students with an IEP or 504

Accommodation Plan are entitled to testing accommodations at LVHS.

• This does NOT mean students will beThis does NOT mean students will be approved for those same

accommodations on College Board or accommodations on College Board or ACT exams.

Application Process

• If a student is approved for

accommodations on College Board g exams, they are not necessarily

approved for the same accommodations pp on ACT exams (and vice-versa).

ACT Accommodations

• Students applying for accommodations for the ACT must apply for those pp y

accommodations when they register to take the exam.

• ACT requires a minimum of 5 to 6 weeks to review all documentation weeks to review all documentation before making a determination of accommodations

ACT Accommodations

• Extended Time National

– This option is for students requesting 50%

extended time and/or small group setting ONLY extended time and/or small group setting ONLY. – This can be administered at a testing site other

than Locust Valley.

• Special Testing

– This option is for students requesting anything more than 50% extended time

more than 50% extended time.

ACT Accommodations

• Standard time on each test;

authorization to test over multiple days • Extended time on each test;

authorization to test over multiple days • Extended time on each test (50%); all

tests on one day

• Extended time only on Writing Test • Other

Application Process

• College Board and ACT are private companies that are not affiliated with p the public school system.

• As such they are NOT legally requiredAs such, they are NOT legally required to provide the same accommodations that Locust Valley feels are appropriate that Locust Valley feels are appropriate for a student.

Application Process

• College Board and ACT look at the following when considering a student for testing

accommodations: accommodations:

– Supporting documentation that shows a need for accommodations

– How long a student has been given accommodations on school exams

– Whether or not the student actually uses those – Whether or not the student actually uses those

accommodations on all school exams.

– What is a student’s “Functional Limitation” that req ires the accommodation

Application Process

• Both CB and ACT require all supporting

documentation to consider accommodations. They are not concerned with the IEP/504

accommodations.

Th l ti f

• They may only approve a portion of a student’s accommodations.

E l A t d t h i d bl ti

• Example: A student who receives double-time may only be approved for 50%.

Application Process

• It is important to apply early for

accommodations! If College Board or g ACT does not approve

accommodations, we can APPEAL!,

• Time is essential: Please remember CB requires a minimum of seven weeks

requires a minimum of seven weeks

and ACT requires five to six weeks prior to any test date

Appeals Process

• Parents must contact the SSD

Coordinator to appeal a decision made pp by College Board or ACT.

• An appeal may involve additionalAn appeal may involve additional

testing, teacher reports, and testaments from TA’s in the Testing Center

from TA s in the Testing Center.

Appeals Process

• When College Board or ACT sends a denial letter, they may outline specific reasons why the student was not

approved for accommodations.

• They may request specific testing data. • The SSD Coordinator will work with the

family and IN Department to schedule testing.

Appeals Process

• When a student is not approved for

accommodations or is requesting to add q g accommodations, teacher reports

vouching the students need for his/her g accommodations become critical.

• The SSD Coordinator will compile theseThe SSD Coordinator will compile these reports.

Appeals Process

• If your child has accommodations in school, (s)he must use them consistently on all tests and sign into the Testing Center each time! These logs can be used as evidence that your child relies on his/her accommodations your child relies on his/her accommodations to reach his/her potential.

• If your child does not consistently use his/her • If your child does not consistently use his/her

accommodations, this could hinder our efforts in the appeals process.e appea s p ocess

Questions??

• Please contact your child’s guidance

counselor with general questions about g q College Board or ACT.

• Please contact Ms Howard with specificPlease contact Ms. Howard with specific SSD-related questions at 674-6335 or

bhoward@lvcsd k12 ny us [email protected].