Student Success Center

Testing Accommodations Policies and Procedures

Overview

Student Accessibility Services provides testing accommodations for students with disabilities in cooperation with each instructor. These alternative testing services are available between hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Testing accommodations (extended time, readers, scribes, computer use, large-printed, and minimal distraction environment) are provided for ULM students who have documented disabilities, are eligible for testing accommodations and are registered through the Student Accessibility Services.

Student Accessibility Services strongly encourages faculty to provide testing accommodations within their own departments. When testing accommodations cannot be provided by the instructor, Student Accessibility Services provides the service as a convenience for faculty and students. If the student and their instructor decide to coordinate testing accommodations without assistance from this office, there is no need to complete the Test Accommodations Request Form.

The student must turn in a completed Test Accommodation Request Form for every exam administered by Student Accessibility Services. The form can be downloaded from the website or can be obtained directly from the office. The student completes Part I of the Test Accommodations Request Form and submits it to their instructor during their office time at least one week before the scheduled test. The instructor is responsible for completing Part II of the form. In collaboration with the student, the faculty member determines a test date and time and any approved test aids (calculator, periodic tables, texts, notes, etc.) that can be used during the testing session. If a scantron or blue books are required, they should be included with the test or supplied by the student. THE STUDENT MUST PRESENT THE COMPLETED TEST ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST FORM TO STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE DESIRED TESTING SESSION. On test day, the student must be prepared to present their ULM student ID or another photo identification card.

Faculty members are encouraged to deliver the test at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled testing session. Tests can be delivered to Student Accessibility Services through personal delivery by the instructor, or email (meclark@ulm.edu).

Completed tests are returned in sealed envelopes, via courier or email, to the appropriate department or instructor. The test must be signed by the appropriate department representative before release. Faculty may personally pick up tests if they prefer. This preference should be noted on the Test Accommodation Request Form.

Testing Accommodation Guidelines

• A three day advance notice is required for all exams, except finals. All finals are to be scheduled with Student Accessibility Services at least one week prior to the beginning of finals.
  
  
• All exams are administered by Student Accessibility Services. Any variations must be approved by the instructor and then coordinated with Student Accessibility Services.
  
  
• Tardiness for a testing accommodation will be treated as tardiness for a regular exam. The time will be deducted from the allotted exam time. If tardiness is beyond 15 minutes, the instructor must be contacted in order for the exam to be completed.
  
  
• If a student does not take the test with Student Accessibility Services as scheduled, they must contact their instructor immediately. Student Accessibility Services is not responsible for rescheduling a test or determining if a test may be rescheduled.
  
  
• If the instructor allows the student to reschedule the exam, Student Accessibility Services may be contacted for assistance in regard to providing accommodations. However, a three-day notice is still required. Therefore, it may be necessary for a student to making testing arrangements directly with their instructor.
  
  
• Students taking their exam through Student Accessibility Services are encouraged to report distractions or noises to the proctor or testing coordinator as soon as possible. It is encouraged for them not wait until after the exam is complete!
  
  
• Academic dishonesty is a serious charge with serious consequences if guilt is found. If you take exams through Student Accessibility Services, and you are found guilty of any academic misconduct (cheating), you may permanently lose the opportunity to take tests in this setting.
  
  
• In addition to the consequence set forth by Student Accessibility Services, any incidence of academic dishonesty will be reported to your instructor.

Your instructor may choose to follow the ULM Cheating and Plagiarism policy as listed in the ULM Student Policy Manual.