State Testing Accommodations: A Look at Geir Value and Validity State Testing Accommodations 3

Students with disabilities (those covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) must be provided the ap-propriate accommodation necessary to participate in the state/district assessments as required for reading and math under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Accom-modations are tools and procedures that provide equal access to instruction and assessment for students with disabilities. They are provided to “level the playing field. ” Without the right accommodations, students with disabilities may not be able to access grade level instruction and have every opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in state/district assessments. There is much variability nationwide in allowing particular accommodations for instruction, testing, or both. Students with learning disabilities can benefit greatly from access to appropriate accommodations; however, without consistent imple-mentation, improved research and improved federal peer review of accommoda-tions policies, our students are at great risk as they fall victim to the inconsistencies and random application of accommodation policy across the country. The National Center for Learning Disabilities commissioned this important study to shed light on the wide variability in accommodations policy throughout the United States; and, to provide solid policy recommendations to Congress and other policy makers as we discuss how to improve NCLB. We hope it stimulates the important discussion it deserves. For more information on accommodations policies for parents and teachers, visit our Web site at www.LD.org. Sincerely