Guidelines for Testing Accommodations

Office for Special Needs Services

In an effort to centralize and improve services for the campus community, the Office for Special Needs Services (OSNS) is please to announce a new partnership with the campus Testing Center, funded by the Carl D. Perkins grant. The following guide will explain new policies and procedures for the campus community.

UNDERSTANDING TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS ON THE VERIFIED INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS (VISA)

Students with Extended Time for Testing on their VISA have three testing options:

• Take the exam with some or all of their VISA accommodations in the Testing Center
• Take the exam in class
• Take the exam in an appropriate area arranged by the instructor

Students with Separate Room Testing on their VISA have two additional options:

• Test in the Small Group Area in the Academic Support Center
• Reserve a private room via the Office for Special Needs Services

Students must request accommodations from their instructor at least 3 days in advance for each test or quiz. The instructor will send the test to the designated testing location. Please keep in mind that time is needed to process exams before the scheduled time. Last minute processing of coversheets and instructions may impact the student’s scheduled time in a private room.

TESTING LOCATIONS

• Tests will now be taken primarily in the P.C. Campana Building room PC 107 in the Testing Center. Click here to view information on the Testing Center.
• Private rooms are available via the Office for Special Needs Services for students that require this accommodation and request it. These rooms seat a maximum of three students.
• Limited small group testing space is available in the Academic Support Center and is scheduled via the Office for Special Needs Services.

SCHEDULING / SUBMITTING EXAMS

Scheduling and Test submissions can be done in person, by phone or by e-mail. All testing materials are secured in a locked cabinet. All testing is monitored by staff, video surveillance camera or both. Exam video content is stored on a secure, on site digital recording device located in OSNS. Testing sessions are recorded and can be reviewed on request up to a week after the student has completed the exam.

• In person: Multi-Purpose Center, LR 115
• If no one is at the desk, please leave a message in the locked mailbox located in the reception area to schedule an exam.
• If you are submitting an exam, please leave it with the attendant in the Academic Support Center. They will know how to secure it within OSNS
• Telephone: 440-366-4058
• Please leave a message if there is no answer
• Email: OSNS@ lorainccc.edu
• A digital copy of the Testing Center Cover Sheet is available via the Campus Intranet
• Please indicate if an e-mailed exam requires special software for printing.

Please be sure to provide the following information:

• First and last name
• Telephone or contact in case there is a problem
• Course name, section number
• Instructor’s name
• Time and date you need to take the exam
• Any additional accommodations you are eligible to use for the exam (example, reader, scribe)

PREPARING BEFORE THE EXAM

Before you schedule an exam outside the classroom, make sure to talk with your instructor. The instructor will complete directions on the Test Cover Sheet. You will be held responsible to follow these instructions during the exam. OSNS will not be able to change these directions without express permission from the instructor.

• Clarify the date and time by which the exam must be completed.
• Discuss the allotted time for the exam (with reference to your VISA)
• Clarify the items that will be allowed for use during the exam, such as calculators or notes.
• Make sure the instructor knows if you will need to use assistive technology, or a scribe. This should be noted on the Test Cover Sheet, and OSNS staff should be reminded when you schedule your appointment.

Tests should be taken at the same time as your class. Exceptions are allowed as follows:

• OSNS does not have space available during your class time
• You have consecutive classes that cause a conflict (extended test time would make you late for your next class)

If a testing room is not available, the student may choose to:

• Take the test in the classroom
• Speak with the instructor to determine if he/she would be able to provide testing accommodations in an alternate acceptable location
• Take the test at an earlier or later agreed upon time

OSNS is happy to assist in finding an environment that is conducive to helping the student demonstrate knowledge of the learning objectives. Please contact OSNS if there are any questions regarding the appropriateness of a testing area. Please contact OSNS if you discover an issue BEFORE the test is taken.

Many instructors offer test times in the course syllabi. Some students may benefit from e-mailing their test schedules to OSNS in advance. Please keep in mind you must notify OSNS if your dates change, you withdraw from the course, or no longer need the accommodation.

ON TEST DAY

What to bring:

• Pen or pencil
• Student must present a picture I.D. such as an LCCC student I.D. or driver’s license
• Calculator or other tools needed for test
• Notes or materials agreed on by the instructor

What is not permitted in the testing area:

• Cell phones, I-pods, or other electronic devices
• Notes, unless authorized
• Calculators, unless authorized
• Coats
• Hats
• Purses
• Backpacks

Valuables can be stored in a designated area. All communication devices should be turned off when stored.

Additional Policies will be in place to preserve the testing environment for all students:

• Students must follow instructor guidelines for the test. No changes will be made at the point of testing without instructor permission.
• The Student Code of Conduct will be enforced.
• Students using the private testing rooms will be escorted to the testing area.
• Rooms will be assigned by schedule availability, so a specific space cannot be guaranteed.
• Students will not be allowed to leave the testing area until the test is completed.
• Students are not permitted to touch or move the cameras that are located in the testing rooms. Tampering with cameras will be perceived as academic misconduct.
• After completing the test, students are required to return the test to the staff, sign out, and retrieve their belongings.
• Students must complete their tests before the scheduled time. All tests will be collected at the scheduled completion time.
• Tests will be returned to the instructor per their requests for grading.

LATENESS, ILLNESS, NO SHOW, CANCELATION AND RESCHEDULING

POLICIES

• Students arriving within 30 minutes of their start time will be permitted to test with the remaining time on their schedule. Full accommodation time cannot be guaranteed and is dependent on the schedule.
• Students arriving late by more than 30 minutes of their scheduled time will need to contact the professor and reschedule the exam if the room is scheduled for another student.
• There is no guarantee the instructor will allow an exam make up. The policy of the course syllabus will apply at the discretion of the instructor.
• Students must contact OSNS immediately if an emergency prevents them from taking an exam. OSNS will contact the instructor. In that case, the student will reschedule the test, if permitted, at a later time.
• If an exam needs to be canceled, please call OSNS as soon as possible. This is especially critical for the private rooms, so they can be available for other students.
• If you withdraw from a course where you have scheduled tutoring time for the semester, please cancel these appointments as well.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Office for Special Needs Services is committed to maintaining a high standard of academic integrity. Therefore, it is understood any behavior that jeopardizes the testing environment will be addressed immediately. The staff will report said behavior to appropriate authorities. This may include instructors or staff, the Dean of the division in question, security and the Director of Enrollment Services.