Understanding the College Board Accommodations Process - Services for Students with Disabilities

Understanding the
 College Board
Accommodations
    Process
 Services for Students with Disabilities
   Prepared for Idaho State Department of Education
                   January 6th, 2014

Objectives

   General overview of College Board testing
    accommodations
   Understanding Services for Students with Disabilities
    (SSD) documentation guidelines
   Commonly requested accommodations
   How to request accommodations (SSD Online)
   SSD updates, tips and reminders
   Reminders for test day

Services for Students with Disabilities

   SSD provides testing accommodations to students
    with documented disabilities on PSAT/NMSQT®,
    SAT® SAT Subject tests, and AP® exams

   Once approved for accommodations, with limited
    exceptions, remain approved for all College Board
    tests ( where applicable)

               www.collegeboard.org/ssd

Idaho SAT School Day accommodations

   Length of Process:
    7 weeks for documentation review

   The deadline to request accommodations for the April 16th,
    2014 SAT School Day is February 26th, 2014.

 Processing clock does not start until everything is COMPLETE
   Submission of additional documentation re-sets the clock

Services for Students with Disabilities

   Last year, SSD received approximately 90,000 new
    requests for accommodations on College Board tests.

   Approximately 85 percent of all requests were approved for
    some accommodation.

                www.collegeboard.org/ssd

Some Examples of Disabilities
   Specific Learning Disorder
   Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
   Blind/Visually Impaired
   Deaf/Hard of Hearing
   Traumatic Brain Injury
   Motor Disorders (i.e., Tourette’s disorder)
   Physical Impairments
   Psychiatric Disorders
   Autism Spectrum Disorder

                  *List is not exhaustive

Some Examples of Accommodations
   Extended time
   Breaks
   Medical management
   Change of setting
   Scribe
   Large block answer sheet
   Write answers in test booklet
   Computer for essays
   Braille
   Large print tests
   Cassette/reader
   Colored Overlays
   Written copy of oral instructions
                       *List is not exhaustive

What is an accommodation?

   Accommodations required for CB tests may differ from
    those needed in school.
   Purpose of accommodations on College Board tests is
    to provide access to the tests for those with diagnosed
    disabilities – Different from learning goals and not to
    guarantee a top score
   We ask schools to be sure to request appropriate
    accommodations for the individual student rather than
    ask for the same accommodation for everyone.

When Are Accommodations Appropriate?
   Student must have a documented disability (“What”)
   Functional impact needs to be demonstrated. The
    mere presence of a disability does not necessarily
    mean a student requires testing accommodations on
    College Board tests. (“How”)

   The submitted documentation must show the need for
    the specific accommodation being requested. (“Why”)

 Classroom Learning v Home Assignments v Testing

Eligibility Process
   Must submit a request via the SSD Online system
    (entered by school personnel) or by completing a paper
    Eligibility Form (family).

   Most students work with their school but we also review
    documentation submitted by the family/student without
    school input.

   Documentation could include a complete
    psychoeducational evaluation, a neuropsychological
    evaluation, an IEP, a 504 plan, RTI documentation,
    teacher observations, letters from therapists and/or
    doctors, etc.

Eligibility
Two ways for a student to be determined eligible for accommodations on College
Board tests are:
    A.) School verification – The SSD Coordinator verifies
    that the student meets College Board eligibility criteria
    and the student has documentation on file that meets the
    College Board Guidelines for Documentation.

    B.) Documentation Review –The College Board reviews
    a student’s disability documentation to determine if it
    meets the Guidelines and if accommodations are
    appropriate. Students can directly request that the
    College Board’s SSD office make the eligibility
    determination.
      Ultimately, the school and CB-SSD reviews should be
                            comparable.

School Verification
To be eligible for school verification, the student MUST:

    Have a disability that necessitates testing accommodations;

    Have documentation on file at school that supports the
     need for the requested accommodation(s) and meets the
     Board’s Guidelines for Documentation;

    Receive and use each of the requested accommodation(s),
     due to the disability, for school-based tests for more than
     four school months

    Additional requirements based on disability and requested
     accommodation

Documentation Review - When?

   The student does not have a diagnosed disability;
   The student's only disability is "other impairment";
   The student has been declassified or has no formal plan in place;
   The student has not had an official educational plan, and/or used
    the requested accommodations in the past four school months;
   The testing is not current;
   With some exceptions, school documentation does not include
    results from both a cognitive ability test and an academic
    achievement test (except for certain physical/visual conditions);
   The student needs more than 100% extended time;
   The student needs special equipment or individualized testing;
   The student needs testing accommodations not commonly
    provided

Start Early!

   Length of Process:
    7 weeks for documentation review

   PSAT and October SAT: August deadlines

   AP tests: February deadlines. AP deadlines are set to
    ensure that most accommodation eligibility determinations
    may be made prior to the AP exam ordering deadlines.

 Processing clock does not start until everything is COMPLETE
   Submission of additional documentation re-sets the clock

Idaho SAT School Day accommodations

     Length of Process:
      7 weeks for documentation review

     Once approved for accommodations, with limited exceptions,
      remain approved for all College Board tests ( where
      applicable)

     The deadline to request accommodations for the April 16th,
      2014 SAT School Day is February 26th, 2014.

    Processing clock does not start until everything is COMPLETE
      Submission of additional documentation re-sets the clock

Documentation
  Guidelines

Guidelines for Documentation
 7 Guidelines that list the information that is fundamental in
 determining whether a student is eligible for accommodations,
 based on disability:

 1. State the specific disability as diagnosed
 2. Be current
 3. Provide relevant educational, developmental and medical
    history
 4. Describe the comprehensive testing techniques
 5. Describe the functional limitations
 6. Describe the specific accommodations
 7. Establish the professional credentials of the evaluator

Currency
Cognitive testing – will accept initial testing (“best practice” applies)

Academic testing – within 5 years

Psychiatric update – within 1 year

Medical update – in most cases within 1 year

Visual update – in most cases within 2 years

Hearing - in most cases within 2 years

Functional Limitation
Student’s daily academic functioning, as it relates to taking
College Board tests, is impacted due to a diagnosed
disability.

HOW is disability affecting student’s ability to take
PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, AP?

Should be demonstrated in the documentation.

Comprehensive Testing
Requirements differ, depending on disability and
accommodation(s) requested

Include full report, with test scores

For LD/ADHD, cognitive and academic test scores
should be included

Learning Disorders/ADHD
Scores from individually administered, normed-
referenced testing and report from psycho-educational
evaluation should be included.

Include the student’s standard or scaled scores
(Age/grade equivalents and/or percentiles are not
sufficient)

WRAT, Nelson-Denny, WASI and/or KBIT alone are not
sufficient, without other documentation

College Board does not require a specific test

Comprehensive Testing and Techniques
Cognitive ability measures

Academic achievement and/or specific achievement tests

Input from teachers

Rating Scales

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Documentation should include:

 A summary of assessment procedures and
evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis,

    A narrative summary of the evaluation results, and

 A rationale for each accommodation recommended
by the evaluator.

“Doctor to doctor”

TEMPORARY MEDICAL CONDITIONS are not
disabilities and are not eligible for accommodations
under our regular process (separate process).

VISUAL DISABILITIES
Include the student’s visual measurements and results
from the most recent eye examination.

Specifically, include all measurements, data, visual, fields,
and visual acuity for each eye, with or without correction, if
worn. If the diagnosis is based on a visual motor
dysfunction, phorias, fusional ranges, depth perception and
visual accommodation measurements should be included.
Justification for the request of any or all accommodations
should be provided.

Psychiatric Disorders Developmental Delays

Qualitative information regarding disability and its
impact on student’s ability to take College Board
tests.

Frequency, duration and intensity of symptoms

May need academic and cognitive tests
(particularly if requesting extended time).

Psychiatric update

Response to Intervention (RTI)
 Where a student has been approved for accommodations through
  an RTI process, without comprehensive testing, the request will be
  evaluated through the documentation review process.

 Detailed description of the process used, all assessment tools
  used by the school to determine the nature and scope of
  disability

 Any other information that would help us to understand student’s
  disability and need for accommodations (e.g., teacher
  evaluations or surveys, detailed performance reports, etc.).

 Outdated psychoeducational evaluations and test scores, if
  available, along with information about student’s current abilities

Keep in Mind…
Must show functional limitation and need for
specific accommodation requested

Be aware of additional documentation related to
accommodations

Accommodations

Time…
 Need documentation that time is an issue

 The SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes with ten separately
  timed sections

   If the student is granted 50% = 5 hours and 3 minutes

   If the student is granted 100% = 6 hours and 40 minutes over two
    days for SAT® ONLY.

   No self-pacing

Breaks…

Extra Breaks

Extended

Breaks As Needed

Equipment, medication, nutrition…
For medically related issues, it may be appropriate to allow:

 Certain equipment (i.e., glucometer, slant desk, special
  lighting, air conditioning),

 Medication (i.e., insulin),

 Snacks (i.e., drinks and/or food)

        *Must be approved for each accommodation used

Settings…
Small group setting

School-based testing

1:1 testing (Separate location)

Preferential seating

Home/Hospital

Output…
Regular answer sheet

Large block answer sheet – “No bubbles/not scanned”

Record answers in test book

Scribe (1:1)

Computer

Guidelines for Computer use as an Accommodation
Available only for the writing/essay section of tests

Students must provide documentation of a diagnosed disability that
substantially impacts written expression skills (such as dysgraphia,
physical disability or severe language-based learning disability).

Having fine motor skills problems in and of itself does not necessitate
accommodations on College Board writing tests if no impact in the
writing area is demonstrated.

Where an applicant requests a computer because of dysgraphia, the
student should include documentation of a fine motor problem and an
academic test of written language.

Guidelines for Computer use as an Accommodation –
Common tests
Some of the common tests that are acceptable by the professional
community to document visual motor skills are the Coding subtest of the
Wechsler Cognitive Test or the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of
Visual Motor Integration (VMI) or Rey Complex Figure Test. Professionals
such as occupational therapists, psychologists, learning specialists, MDs
can document such conditions.

As for the writing area, tests such as the Essay Composition subtest from
the WIAT, Writing Samples from the WJ, TOWL or OWLS-Written
Expression Scale can document the functional impact.

                         *List is not exhaustive

Visual assistance…
Photo-enlarged print (14, 20 point)

Magnifier/Magnifying machine

Braille test

Braille device for written responses

Braille math graphs and figures

Reader (1:1)

Cassette

Use of colored overlay

Auditory assistance…
Written copy of oral instructions

Use of an FM system

Sign language interpreter (oral instructions only)

Reader/Cassette test version

No need for accommodation…
Spelling errors are not considered as a factor in
the grading of College Board essays

Most College Board tests permit the use of
calculators

All students may request that directions be
repeated.

Additional accommodations…
     _______________?________________

When a student requests other accommodations,
such are considered and granted, within reason,
when submitted documentation supports the
request.

Submitting Requests for
   Accommodations

SSD Online
   Disabilities Accommodation Management System

   Online system to request and manage accommodations for students
    with disabilities. Allows schools to view approved accommodations,
    check status of requests, and submit accommodations electronically
    for SSD students.

   View information about all of your SSD students in one place

                   www.collegeboard.org/ssdonline

                  www.collegeboard.org/profaccount

                      www.collegeboard.org/ssd

How it works
• Print out a parental     •Complete questions        •When required, submit
consent form and have      online regarding the       documentation by mail
the parent sign it         student’s disability,      or fax
                           requested
                           accommodations,            • Receive e-mail
• Log onto SSD Online to   and available
begin the process                                     notification that decision
                           documentation              has been made; log in to
(Professional log-in
account needed)                                       view decision letter
                           • Submit request
                           electronically             • Log in at any time
                                                      to see status of students’
                           • The system will inform   request or to print a
                           you if documentation       roster
                           is required

Getting Started
Need:
    SSD Coordinator Form on file
     Download form from http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd/forms
               or
        www.collegeboard.org/ssdonline

    Access code (1st time only)
        Will be sent by email

    Educational Professional Log-in Account (EPL)
        Go to www.collegeboard.org/profaccount to create account

    Parent consent form
        Download form from SSD Online OR from
        http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd/forms

    See www.collegeboard.org/ssdonline for links and information

Go to http://www.collegeboard.org,
select the Professional tab, enter your
username and password, and select
Disabilities Accommodation Mgmt
from the Take Me To drop-down list.

Online dashboard
Shows status and accommodation information for all students

                         Only show students with missing data

Student Details
   Pending Request

   Request History

                            View Activity History View
   Decided (Sep 15, 2010)
                            Decision Letter

   Not Approved
                            Reading 50%, Writing 50%

   Student Information

Activity History                       Close

Item                                   Date
Received 33 pages of documentation     Mar 16, 2012
Received 13 pages of documentation     Mar 16, 2012
Received 3 pages of documentation      Mar 16, 2012
Received accommodation request         Mar 16, 2012
Sent request for documentation         Mar 18, 2012
Received 3 pages of documentation      Mar 21, 2012
Sent decision and eligibility letter   Apr 10, 2012

                                                      47

COMPLETING A
REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

Completing Online Student Eligibility Form
   Click on the “Submit Eligibility Form” button on dashboard
   Navigates to next screen which has several sections
           Parent or student signature
           Documentation of the student’s disability and need for
            accommodations
           Click on the continue button to navigate to next page

1/10/2014                            The College Board Property & Confidential   49

Provide Online Information about the Student’s
                          Disability
                                                   Click here to
                                                   view
                                                   disabilities
                                                   alphabetically

Click arrow to
expand category

Select Accommodations

Messages

  You have selected both Reader and Cassette. These accommodations serve the
  same purpose. Please select only one of these accommodations.

Respond to Questions regarding Documentation and
School Plan

Documentation Requirements

Notification of Documentation Needs

Print Cover Page to Send with Documentation

Reminder
.
    Students must include their SSD number
    with their registration, to be sure that
    accommodations will be available on test
    date

SSD Updates…

Two Recent Updates to SSD Online Dashboard

1-Ability to upload pdf documents to SSD Online

2-Read-only access to parents/students

SSD Updates…

SSD Updates…

SSD Updates…

SSD Updates…

SSD Updates…

Tips for submitting requests
 ALWAYS include the cover page with submission. Do NOT include
  cover page when sending correspondence that is not
  documentation for a request (letters, questions, etc.)

 Make sure that arrow on cover sheet and all documents are facing
  in the correct direction.

 Check dashboard to ensure that documentation has been received
.

“Type 1” and “Type 2” accommodations

 Type 1 accommodations – e.g., 50% extended time
  (“Center-based accommodations during Saturday
  administrations)
 Type 2 accommodations – e.g., 100% extended
  time, computer (“School-based” accommodations
  during Saturday administrations)
 Will receive separate rosters
 Must test in separate rooms

Keep In Mind…
Start Early! Documentation review takes approximately 7 weeks
from receipt of all information

Specific documentation that is required depends on specific
disability and accommodations that are requested

Use cover sheet for supporting documentation. Do not use
cover sheet for other letters, documentations.

Check dashboard for announcements.

Students must include their SSD number with their registration,
to be sure that accommodations will be available on test date

Reminders for test day
 Only approved accommodations can be provided

 “Type 1 (“Roster) and “Type 2” (“NAR”) accommodations

 Extended time – no self-pacing

 Computer –
  Essay sections only; must be approved for ALL equipment used

 Breaks – do not count toward testing time

 Scribes/Readers – each student approved for these
  accommodations must have their own scribe/reader; scribe and
  reader can be same person if student is approved for both

More Information
 www.collegeboard.org/ssd

Please note that a Webinar is available under the “Forms & Resources”
section

 www.collegeboard.org/ssdonline

 www.collegeboard.org/profaccount

Helpful links on dashboard

Contacting the College Board…
FAX:
1(866) 360-0114

By Mail:
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) - College Board SSD
Program
P.O. Box 8060
Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864-0060

By Phone: (609) 771-7137
           (800) 257-5123 (Counselors Helpline)
     TTY: (609) 882-4118

By Email: ssd@info.collegeboard.org