Students with disabilities are often given tests under accommodated conditions to reduce the effect of their disability on their scores. Students' perceptions of their own accommodations are important for several reasons and have been the topic of a number of research studies. Some studies have tested students under multiple conditions and asked…

The article presents a longitudinal study of an urban charter middle school to examine the impact testing pressures can have on the education of students with disabilities and English language learners, and how this may lead to a narrowing of the content they are taught. The study examines various sources of data, including the school's evolving…

The demands for accountability in education have led to an increase in high-stakes testing practices in public schools. Accountability can be seen at the high school level in the use of exit examinations (hereafter "exit exams") that students must pass to receive a diploma and graduate from high school. One of the most challenging issues…

Many positive and negative consequences of high-stakes testing for students with disabilities are alleged. Yet, there is little evidence on actual consequences. Both anecdotal and empirical evidence were reviewed with regard to increased participation in assessment, raised expectations, provision of appropriate assessment accommodations, alignment…

The present study examined the effect accommodations have on test results of students with and without disabilities and documented experts' judgments about the appropriateness of testing accommodations. Test score data were collected from 218 fourth-grade students with and without disabilities on mathematics and science performance tasks and from…

Physical educators of students with disabilities are frequently expected to participate in the development of individualized education programs (IEP), but sometimes this responsibility can be time-consuming. It is unrealistic to attend every meeting for every student with a disability and those receiving special education services. Physical…

The article explores grading options for the teacher to consider when evaluating students who are receiving specialized education and participating in the mainstream of regular education. (DB)

The article describes the organization of an assessment battery which generates data for establishing individualized education programs (IEPs) for children with learning disabilities. Instruments and procedures for obtaining data related to each facet of assessment are identified. (SBH)

Students with disabilities and special needs have faced challenges in accessing educational content, and in taking traditional pen-and-paper tests. How might technology improve the process, while making statewide tests truly accessible to all students? NimbleTools is the first computer-based test delivery system that incorporates principles of…

Testing accommodations used in students' IEPs or recommended by classroom teachers were investigated. Three domains of testing accommodations were examined; (a) accommodations recommended through the IEP process, (b) accommodations recommended by the teacher, and (c) accommodations provided in the testing sessions, to explore factors that…

Fitness testing is an important assessment tool used by physical educators for many purposes. Some states require fitness testing to monitor individual student progress throughout the school year. Some physical educators use it to monitor the effects of the physical education curriculum and to teach concepts such as goal setting and personal…

Encourages parents and educators to apply political pressure through advocacy to make policymakers aware of special education issues concerning the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Discusses the importance of being familiar with current law, knowing how to obtain services, and being an advocate on a global level. Reminds individuals…

Many school districts have adopted minimum competency tests as part of the requirements for high school diplomas. It is important that the needs of special education students are included when planning and implementing competency testing. Included are three levels of options to consider for modified testing of special students. (MD)

A study investigated the kinds of instructional and assessment accommodations received by 280 students with disabilities and the extent to which instructional accommodations match assessment accommodations. Most students who had Individualized Education Programs in specific content areas received instructional accommodations in those areas.…

This article provides an overview of identification of appropriate testing accommodations for students with learning disabilities (LD). First it defines the concept of testing accommodations and review research on test accommodations commonly used with students with LD. Next it examines the validity and fairness in accommodations, as well as the…