What is the role of assessment accommodations for students with disabilities?

The role of assessment accommodations for students with disabilities is fundamentally about creating equitable testing conditions. These accommodations are designed to provide individual students with the necessary supports that enable them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on assessments in a manner that reflects their true capabilities, rather than the impact of their disabilities.

For example, these accommodations can include extended time, a separate testing environment, or the use of assistive technology. By making adjustments that are tailored to a student's specific needs, the aim is to level the playing field so that the assessment measures what a student has learned rather than how their disability may hinder their performance. This approach aligns with principles of inclusion and equity in education, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed based on their abilities rather than their challenges.

Other options, while they may have their own value, do not accurately capture the purpose of assessment accommodations. They do not simplify the testing process for educators or exempt students from testing, nor do they eliminate essential preparatory materials like study guides—these resources support equity in learning and testing.