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10
Assessment Accommodations Defined for Three Specific Groups of
Students
Assessment accommodations are changes made to the administration process of a standardized
assessment and must be the same type of accommodation the student uses in the instructional (classroom)
environment. The provision of accommodations is intended to “level the playing field” for these students
and must be consistent with their instructional environment. Without an accommodation, these students
may not be able to participate fully on standardized assessments.
Accommodations may be identified for three specific groups of students:
1. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Decisions concerning the inclusion and appropriateness of an assessment accommodation for students with
an IEP are based upon the individual student’s needs, not on the basis of disability category, grade level,
or instructional setting. Such decisions are made by the DoDEA Special Education Case Study Committee
(CSC). Prior to test administration, any accommodation must be documented in the student’s IEP.
Students participating in the DoDEA SPED Alternate Assessment:
Students participating in the alternate assessment are exempt from participation in the DoDEA System-
wide Assessment Program.
2. Students with an Accommodation Plan for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in
Programs and Activities
The decision on whether or not a student is qualified for a reasonable assessment accommodation is made
on a case-by-case basis by the local screening team at the school and documented in the student’s DoDEA
Accommodation Plan. An accommodation may be provided for a student who has a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, who has a record of such impairment,
or who is regarded as having the impairment. Prior to test administration, any accommodation must be
documented in a DoDEAAccommodation Plan.
3. Students who are English Language Learners (ELLs)
Decisions concerning the inclusion and appropriateness of an assessment accommodation to reduce the
impact of language for ELLs must be based upon the individual student’s linguistic needs. Such decisions
are made by the ESL Student Team and documented in the ELL’s ESL Cumulative Profile Form prior to
the test administration.
Refer to the following section for ELL students:
English Language Learner Accommodations
(page 17).
Students participating in the DoDEA ESL Alternate Assessment:
Students participating in the alternate assessment may be exempt from participation in the DoDEA System-
wide Assessment Program. Such decisions are made by the ESL Student Team and documented in the
ELL’s ESL Cumulative Profile Form prior to the test administration.
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