Academic Accommodations

	Academic Support Services
	Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
	Documentation of a Disability
	Testing Accommodations Rules & Responsibilities	FORMS
	Responsibilities of Students	Disability Self Identification Form Testing Accommodation Form RESCHEDULE Test Form
	Responsibilities of Academic Support Services
SAS Home	Information for Faculty

Responsibilities of Students Requesting Accommodations:

Responsibilities in Providing Classroom and Testing Accommodations

1. Identify him/herself to Student Academic Services by completing the Self Identification Form.

2. Provide verification of his/her disability (request Documentation of Disability for guidelines). If the student has a learning disability, he/she will provide testing and evaluation results dated no more than three years prior to the date of requesting accommodations at SHC.

3. Meet with the Academic Support Services Coordinator to determine specific accommodations that will be needed while he/she is enrolled in courses at SHC. The Accommodation Verification Form will be completed.

4. Complete Faculty Letter Request Form and return to the Academic Support Services Coordinator at the beginning of each semester. Accommodation letters addressed to individual faculty members verifying that the student has a documented disability will be given to the student.

5. Meet with each of his/her professors to deliver Accommodation Letter and to request accommodations.

Note: Faculty are under no obligation to provide classroom accommodations for students who fail to present them with an Accommodation Letter in a timely manner.

6. If the student needs to test at the Student Academic Services Office then he/she must complete the blue Testing Accommodation Form (available at Student Academic Services) with the professor for each test. The professor must approve the Testing Accommodation Form and list the materials, if any, the student will be allowed to bring and use during testing. If the professor is providing the testing accommodations, the Testing Accommodation Form does not need to be completed.

Note: Do not leave the form with professor to be filled out. It is the student’s responsibility to fill out and return this information to Student Academic Services.

7. Contact the Academic Support Services Coordinator immediately for assistance if a difficulty should arise (i.e. professor unavailable to complete the blue form, professor questions legitimacy of accommodation, or extended time presents a scheduling conflict).

8. Return the Testing Accommodation Form to Student Academic Services no later than one week prior to the test date. Final exams need to be scheduled two weeks prior to the last day of class.

9. Complete a Reschedule Test Form (available at Student Academic Services) if circumstances require a cancellation or other change in test schedule. This form must be approved and signed by your professor and then submitted to Academic Support Services Coordinator three (3) business days prior to the newly requested date and time. The Student Academic Services Office may not be able to accommodate students who request final exams to be scheduled or changed with less than two weeks notice.

10. Arrive at Student Academic Services at least five minutes prior to time of test and begin testing at the scheduled time. The time allotted for the test will not be extended due to tardiness. Students arriving early will not be permitted to start their test until the scheduled time, nor will students be permitted to study during their scheduled testing time. Professors will be notified of late arrivals and no shows.

11. Bring and use only the materials that have been indicated by the professor on the Testing Accommodation Form. Leave all unauthorized materials including jackets, hats, book bags, and cell phones with the SAS Secretary.

12. Notify the proctor if there are any problems with the testing environment.

13. Adhere to the Academic Dishonesty and/or Impropriety Policies as stated in the Bulletin of Information, pages 55-56.

Testing Environment

A proctor will be present during testing. A Student Academic Services staff member may come into the testing room at any time to monitor exam conditions. If a staff member or proctor suspects or finds actual cases of cheating, the incident will be immediately reported to the professor and it will be the decision of the professor and/or the department as to how the matter is handled with the student. These cases of cheating are to be handled by professors no differently than they would be with any other students in their class. No preferential treatment is justified based on the fact that a student has a disability. Breaks, including restroom breaks, are not allowed during tests.

TOP

Responsibilities of Academic Support Services Coordinator:

Meet with student once he/she has self-identified and provided appropriate disability documentation to complete Accommodation Verification Form.

Prepare disability notification letters to professors for all approved students (those who have completed Faculty Letter Request forms). These letters verify that the student has a disability that requires accommodations.

Collect the Testing Accommodation Forms and the Reschedule Test Forms.

Schedule student tests and exams according to the submitted Testing Accommodation Forms and Reschedule/Additional Test Forms as resources allow. Secure proctor for tests.

Organize and facilitate pick up and delivery of tests and exams based upon written instructions from professors on Testing Accommodation Forms.

Maintain records of the testing accommodation process.

Note: Student Academic Services is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. Noncompliance on the part of the student with the procedures stated above may result in delays in or denial of the provision of accommodations.

TOP

Information for Faculty Providing Testing Accommodations

Students registered with Student Academic Services who are eligible to receive testing accommodations can receive these accommodations directly from their professors or can use the Student Academic Services Office. Following are a few answers to questions professors may have when assisting students with testing accommodations.

1. How do I know what accommodations to provide?

You will receive a letter from Student Academic Services indicating the approved academic accommodations needed for the individual student. Test accommodations may include but are not limited to: extended time, private room, or reader. Accommodations for the student are specified in the letter. If a student requests accommodation and you have not received a letter from Student Academic Services verifying the disability, do NOT provide any accommodations. Refer the student to our office.

2. What constitutes a private room?

A private testing room is a testing locale with minimal interruptions and limited noise. A quiet office would be suitable. It is important to discuss the proposed testing environment with the student in order to determine the appropriateness of the testing environment.

3. Should I contact Student Academic Services if I am providing the test accommodations in my classroom?

It is not necessary for the professor to contact Student Academic Services if providing test accommodations within the department nor is it necessary to complete the Testing Accommodations Forms.

4. What procedures does Student Academic Services use to safeguard tests and the testing environment?

Student Academic Services exercises precautions to maintain strict test security and academic integrity while testing. All tests received by Student Academic Services are logged in, kept locked and handled only by authorized personnel. Proctors administer the tests according to the instructions provided by the professors and are also present during testing when extended time and/or private room are required. Proctors are students hired by Student Academic Services who have not had the course within one academic year. Tests are returned to the professor/secretary in a sealed envelope the same day and are never returned by campus mail.

NOTE: Student Academic Services does not expect you to change course guidelines or standards. The purpose of the accommodation is to ensure equal educational opportunity.

Policy Regarding Copying Tests

Student Academic Services is responsible for the security of tests administered through its office. The Academic Support Services Coordinator is responsible for organizing and recording pick up and delivery of tests and exams based on upon written instructions from professors on Testing Accommodations Forms. Tests will be kept in a locked cabinet until the student begins. Tests or exams will be hand delivered the same day to the professor or secretary and the recipient’s signature will be obtained on Test Return Information sheet. Once a test is returned to professor or secretary Student Academic Services is no longer responsible for test or exam. Tests may be sent by e-mail. The attached test will be deleted from the computer once it has been printed. At the professor’s request, tests may be faxed. If faxed, the original test will be shredded after confirmation of receipt is obtained and recorded. The professor may request that original test be sent to him/her instead of being shredded.

TOP