Procedures Regarding Testing Accommodations and Notetaking

Procedures Regarding Test Administration and Note-taking Support

Students are responsible for initiating the request for testing accommodations.

A copy of the accommodation plan detailing the student's specific needs will be sent to the faculty member at the beginning of each semester. Tests can be administered by either the faculty member or by ACSSD. In most cases, faculty members are responsible for accommodating students with disabilities in the administration of pop quizzes.

Formal Testing Accommodation through the Office of Academic Support Services

A. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their accommodation needs with their professors.

B. An ACSSD representative will phone the faculty member to arrange to have the test delivered. During the final exam period, faculty members will receive a written request.

C. Test materials should be hand delivered in a signed, sealed envelope to the Office of Academic Support Services, Rm. 322A Smiddy Hall. If exams are delivered by alternate methods (i.e. fax, email), ACSSD cannot guarantee the security of your exam. Faculty members should be sure to include any diagrams or drawings the student may need as well as any special instructions for the proctor.

D. Tests will normally be administered by the Office of Academic Support Services only during regular working hours (9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). However, during the final exam period, ACSSD is open from 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. As a general rule, exams should be scheduled to coincide with the administration of the exam to the rest of the class. If that is not possible, tests should be scheduled as close thereafter as can be arranged.

E. ACSSD will make every attempt to return the exam to your department's mailbox in the dean's office on the same day that the exam is administered. If you would like to arrange to pick up the exam, please inform the ACSSD staff member at the time you deliver the exam.

Approaching Students Regarding Academic Adjustment Plans

College policy states that it is the student's responsibility to approach you to discuss his/her academic adjustment plan. However, if you do not hear from the student within the first two weeks invite the person to meet with you during an office hour to discuss his/her situation. Please be sure that you approach the student in a private location or after class to avoid identifying the individual as a person with a disability. It is also appropriate to make a general announcement during class inviting students with any kind of special needs to meet with you after class or during an office hour.

Arranging for Note-taking Support

If note-taking support is listed as an academic adjustment, do not assume that the student has already accessed this service. If you do not use lecture notes, overheads or if you do not post information on the web, please assist the student in accessing notes as follows:

After speaking with the student, make an announcement at the beginning of class stating that one or more students need note takers. Ask anyone who is willing to perform this service to see you after class. At that time, obtain the note taker's phone number and ask permission to share the number with the person who needs the notes. Check back with the note taker(s) in a few days to be sure that arrangements have been finalized. Volunteer note takers can obtain a copy card from the Office of Academic Support Services that can be used on most copy machines on campus.

Please be aware that note-taking support is an academic adjustment and therefore must be provided under the law.