The Science Test
Let’s start by putting you in a scenario that happens every day across the country so we can better understand what accommodations are. Johnny is in fifth grade. He has always struggled to read but is a very bright student. This class has a science test to measure what he has learned about every few weeks over each unit. Johnny has learned a lot, done the homework and the projects and participated in science class. This test however is going to be a large percentage of his grade for the unit.
The students have the entire class period to take the test which is about 40 minutes and its a 30 question test. Johnny starts at the same time as his peers. It takes him a while to read each question and some questions he as to read multiple times to make out all the words. The vocabulary looks like it could be familiar to him but he doesn’t know many of the words. He spends so much time just try to read the test that knowing the subject material is really an afterthought. Class is up and Johnny has only finished 18 questions. Now the best he can make is a 60 on this test.
Ultimately,his science grade is now being determined by his reading ability. His knowledge on the subject material is not truly measured. Now lets say that Johnny has a diagnosis and has an IEP or 504 in place that allows for reasonable accommodations. His experience with this science class can be vastly difference.
What could have been different?
Johnny has the right to have tests for a grade read to him when they are not testing his reading ability or comprehension skills. By removing the reading obstacle he can now demonstrate what he knows about the subject material. It is also reasonable for Johnny to have extended time on tests and graded classwork. So now Johnny may be able to come back during home room to have an extra 30 minutes on the test if needed.
By giving Johnny these simple reasonable accommodations we are not allowing him to cheat the system or giving him an advantage over other students. We are simply giving him a level playing field in which to participate. Otherwise, it is like making him play basketball with one hand tied behind his back. Accommodations are not put in place for a student to give them an unfair advantage. They simply give that student the tools they need to operate in the regular classroom successfully.
Reasonable accommodations we see for Dyslexic learners:
- Extra Time: Students have the capacity for learning they just need time to access it.
- Distraction free testing space
- Digitized texts
- Text to speech technology and or access to audio books
- Alternative testing formats(short essays, oral reports, projects)
- Visual aids rather than print alone.
- Access to adaptive technology for spelling, reports etc.
