Classroom and Testing Modifications
So…how do I know who does what?
How do I get tests set up with the instructor?
Additional tips for setting up tests with your instructors
How do I make arrangements to take tests in DSS?
Other “If”s, “And”s, and “But”s
10 Important Things to Remember When Testing at DSS
Note taking assistance
Materials in alternate formats
Interpreting and transcribing
So…how do I know who does what?
Some modifications are provided by the instructor and/or department. Others are provided by the DSS office.
- Instructors are expected to arrange the following test modifications:
- Extended time: time and one half (an additional 50%)
- A quiet, distraction reduced setting
- The use of a simple calculator
- Enlarged print tests
- Permission to record answers directly on a copy of the test instead of onto a Scantron answer sheet
(If your instructor tries but is unable to arrange any of these, please contact DSS right away)
- DSS will proctor tests for students who require the following test modifications:
- Extended time: double time (an additional 100%)
- A private setting
- A reader
- A word processor
- A scribe
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How do I get tests set up with the instructor?
Request your Memos to Instructors.
Pick up your memos from Franklin Hall 006. Remember, only you can pick up your memos. You cannot send a friend or a relative to get them, nor can we mail them to you.
Immediately take them to your instructor during his/her posted office hours. If you are unable to meet the instructor at this time, schedule a private appointment. This will ensure that your meeting is free from distractions and offers adequate opportunity to discuss your particular needs.
Do not hand the memo off before, during, or after your class because the instructor will be focused on teaching and other obligations, and may not remember later to arrange your modifications.
- Helpful Hint Number One: If you do not give the memo to your instructor, s/he is under no obligation to arrange your accommodations.
- Helpful Hint Number Two: DSS strongly recommends that you deliver the memo at least two weeks prior to the first test. Without adequate time to prepare, instructors may not be able to arrange your accommodations.
- Helpful Hint Number Three: At least seven days before each test, check-in with your instructor to make sure you both know where and when you will be testing.
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Additional Tips for Setting up Tests with Your Instructors:
Understand how your accommodations work. If you have any questions about this, discuss it with someone in DSS.
Be prepared to answer instructors’ questions about your accommodations. For example:
- If you receive 50% extended time (time and a half), and the class receives 2 hours to take the test, you should receive 3 hours to take your test.
- If you receive a quiet, distraction-reduced setting, this means that you should take your test in a room (not in a hallway) that is free of phones ringing, foot traffic, and people talking.
or
Please Note: You cannot schedule a test to overlap with another class. This means that you cannot skip one class to receive accommodations in another. You must work with your instructors and DSS to avoid scheduling conflicts.
If an alternate time is arranged for your tests, be sure to write down the time, date and location in your planner.
On rare occasions an instructor may be unable to arrange your accommodations. Should this occur, follow the steps listed below for students who have all tests administered in the DSS office.
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How do I make arrangements to take tests in DSS?
Request your Memos to Instructors.
Pick up your memos from the DSS office in Franklin Hall 006. Remember, only you can pick up your memos. You cannot send a friend or a relative to get them, nor can we mail them to you.
Immediately take the memos to your instructor during his/her posted office hours. If you are unable to meet the instructor at this time, schedule a private appointment. This will ensure that your meeting is free from distractions and offers adequate opportunity to discuss your particular needs.
Do not hand the memo off before, during, or after your class because the instructor will be focused on teaching and other obligations and may not remember later to arrange your modifications.
When you meet with your instructor, be sure to have the instructor fill out a Test/Exam Request Form (TERF). Please review the form before you leave to make sure that all sections have been completed. An incomplete TERF may prevent or delay DSS from administering your test.
You are responsible for returning this form to DSS. If you leave it with the instructor, you cannot assume that s/he will be able to return the form in a timely manner.
Schedule your test with the DSS Test Coordinator in person or by phone. You cannot do this via e-mail and your instructor cannot schedule for you.
- Helpful Hint Number One: Bring your syllabus with you and schedule all semester’s tests at once. If you do not do this, you must remember to call and schedule tests two weeks prior to every test.
- Helpful Hint Number Two: Schedule tests with DSS two weeks in advance; otherwise, DSS cannot guarantee that space will be available for your use. With at least seven days’ notice, the Test Coordinator can usually fit students into the schedule but cannot guarantee all of your accommodations. DSS cannot schedule tests with less than seven days’ notice except in extreme circumstances. For final exams, schedule three weeks in advance.
- Helpful Hint Number Three: DSS can only administer tests during our normal business hours, 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. If you have an evening test, your instructor may either allow you to take it at an alternate time or make arrangements him/herself. Saturday tests are given by the Business and Math departments and are arranged by those departments ahead of time. If you have Business or Math classes, please check with your instructors for more information.
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Other “If”s, “And”s, and “But”s:
If a test is canceled or moved, please contact our office ASAP and make changes accordingly. DSS continues to require advance notice in order to arrange for your altered test time.
If you fail to show up for a DSS scheduled test, DSS will send both you and your instructor an e-mail about the missed test. Rescheduling will be arranged only at then instructor’s discretion.
If you have any questions or concerns about setting up a test with our office please contact our Test Coordinator at 812-855-3508 or dsstests@indiana.edu.
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10 Important Things to Remember When Testing at DSS:
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your exam.
- If an instructor has asked you to hand carry a test over to DSS, please be sure to double check the time of pick up so that you are not late for your test.
- Bring a pen and pencil and any additional test materials that you have been instructed to use.
- Turn off your cell phone and leave phone, coats, backpacks, purses, etc. in the DSS supply room.
- If you are returning the test to the instructor, please wait for DSS to “prep” it for return.
- If you arrive late, your test will end at the time originally scheduled and your instructor will be notified of your tardiness by e-mail. S/he will decide if and when you may make up the missed time.
- If you miss a test entirely, you must contact your instructor to discuss whether or not a make-up test will be given.
- If you need to leave the test room during the test for any reason, notify the proctor quietly. Either the proctor or a staff member will escort you to the restroom or water fountain and the proctor will record the time you leave and when you return. You will not be permitted to make up time that you use for this purpose. Students leaving the office without an escort will not be permitted to finish their tests.
- When you finish the test you are free to leave unless otherwise specified by your instructor.
- DSS cannot guarantee how quickly your test will be graded and returned. If you have concerns about this issue, talk with your instructor.
Note Taking Assistance
Eligibility for Note Taking Assistance
The eligibility letter sent by email will indicate if you are eligible for assistance taking notes in class. There are alternate means for providing class notes and DSS will work with you to determine which method will be most helpful. Notes may be provided in one of the following ways:
Tape recording of lectures, seminars, and discussions. Your memo may list this method as one of your classroom accommodations. It is essential to make your instructor aware of your need to tape before you actually begin to tape record. If an instructor objects, contact DSS immediately.If you record lectures, it is to your advantage to sit up front. You may wish to contact the Adaptive Technology Center (www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/) to ask if recording equipment is available for loan.
Copies of class notes from a peer volunteer.If you see this accommodation listed on your eligibility letter, your note-taker will be one of the other students in your class. For this method to work, you will need to request a copy of the DSS note-taking assistance letters from your DSS Coordinator (see below for more information).
How to Request Note Taking Assistance
Make your request in person at the DSS office in Franklin Hall 006. Your DSS Coordinator will provide you with letters to your instructors identifying your need to have copies of a classmate’s notes.
Your instructor will make an announcement to the class that a note-taker is needed. You may choose either to (a) identify yourself to the volunteer note-taker or (b) remain anonymous. Be sure to discuss your choice beforehand with the instructor.
| If you have additional questions about the note-taking accommodation, please contact your DSS Coordinator. Materials In Alternate Formats: If you require printed materials produced in audio, Braille, tactile graphics, or large print format, the Adaptive Technology Center (ATC) in Herman B. Wells Library is the IU resource for the production of these materials. The ATC is located on the first floor, undergraduate side, near the Information Commons. Free one-on-one training on all adaptive hardware and software is available by appointment at the ATC. In addition, video captioning is available for web-based video material used in class or in distance education. It is recommended that you make an early appointment to visit the ATC (856-4112). Some materials may take several days to produce. For more information visit the Adaptive Technology Center on the web. Return to top ASL interpreters and CART Real Time transcriptions are available to students who request these services. Let your DSS Coordinator know if you will need these services. |
