Setting: Separate Location

Related References

Types of Assessment Accommodations Accommodation Objectives Guiding Principles Case Studies Glossary

Separate locations (for example, the special education resource room, a vacant classroom, or a conference room) are generally used for small-group or individual testing. The rooms should be quiet (e.g., no phones ringing, no external noise such as a band practice room nearby), well lit, and appropriately ventilated. The size of the furniture should be appropriate for the age and size of the students. Adequate working space should be available.

Procedure

1. Identify an appropriate room, preferably one with which the student is familiar.
2. If the student is not familiar with the room, provide him or her the opportunity to spend some time in it before the assessment.
3. If necessary, make sure that the room is accessible to students with physical needs. Then, schedule the room.
4. On the day of the test, review the room accommodations and the arrangement of the furniture.
5. Check to make sure there is adequate lighting and that all supplies (e.g., pencils, assistive devices) are in working order.
6. Place a sign on the door that indicates testing is taking place.
7. Plan how the student will come to the room.
8. If the student is expected to come to the room independently, determine a routine for transitioning prior to the testing day.

Cautions

Occasionally, the size of the room may be over estimated. For example, a room may appear large enough to accommodate five students, but once they are all present, the space is cramped. Or, the combination of students in a small group may prove troublesome (e.g., two students do not get along with each other, even though they require the same accommodation). Finally, when using another classroom, make sure objects that may be distracting to the students (e.g., a contingency chart, toys, interactive bulletin boards, and animals) have been removed.

Excerpted from Assessment Accommodations Toolkit.

Provided in partnership with The Council for Exceptional Children.