2008–2009
Registering to Test

REGISTERING FOR ALTERNATIVE TESTING ARRANGEMENTS

Alternative testing arrangements that are reasonable in the context of the PLACE tests and supported by documentation may be provided for the following examinees who would not be able to take the test under standard conditions:

• Examinees with physical disabilities (e.g., visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor disabilities, illness, injury)
• Examinees with disabilities other than physical (e.g., learning disabilities)
• Examinees whose religious practices do not allow them to take tests on Saturdays

Procedure for Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements

In all cases, examinees requesting alternative testing arrangements must (a) complete a test registration and submit correct payment, (b) mail or fax a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, and (c) mail or fax any required documentation. The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form is available to download as a PDF document by selecting “Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)” on the PLACE Web site. Write your name and telephone number on each piece of correspondence you provide.

All timely and complete alternative testing arrangements requests and accompanying documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon receipt. In some cases, the submitted documentation may not be sufficient to make a determination regarding the requested accommodation(s) or may not support the requested accommodation(s). Additional information or test results may be needed.

You must submit an Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form each time you register. However, you only need to submit all the required documents the first time that you request alternative testing arrangements. Evaluation Systems will keep your documentation on file for one year. If you register for subsequent test dates within that year, you only need to submit your completed registration, correct payment, and a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, as long as your condition and the recommended accommodations have not changed. Please be aware that your request form and supporting documentation may be shared with the CDE in order to process your request. The documentation will be kept confidential to the extent required by law.

Some alternative testing arrangements may be accommodated at selected sites only. In some cases, you may be contacted directly to discuss suitable testing arrangements. Before the test date, you will receive information regarding your request. You should contact Evaluation Systems at the time you receive this information if you have any questions or concerns about it.

Requests for additional time. The four-and-one-half-hour test session is designed to allow sufficient time to complete any of the tests in the PLACE program. Examinees may find the four and one-half hours of testing time to be more than enough to complete their test, even if they have needed extra time on other tests they have taken in the past.

If, however, you have a documented disability and you feel you need extra time for testing, you may submit a request for alternative testing arrangements when you register for the PLACE. Also, you may wish to register for only one test per test date, which will allow you to use the second test session for additional time to complete the test, providing your request for additional time is approved. Registering for two tests on the same test date limits the additional testing time you can be allowed because testing must be completed within one test administration day. Please note that all requests for additional time require appropriate documentation and are subject to approval by the CDE.

Deadline for requests. The deadline for submission of requests and all necessary documentation for alternative testing arrangements is the standard registration deadline. Because of space, staff, and time constraints, there can be no assurance that requests received after this deadline can be accommodated.

Some accommodations (e.g., Braille tests) have specialized production requirements associated with them, and more time for production may be required than is available after the standard registration deadline. Although every effort is made to process all requests in a timely manner, the earlier you submit your request, the more time will be available for specialized production, if needed. Certain production requirements may necessitate rolling over your registration to a future test administration.

Documentation Requirements and Review of Requests

The following alternative testing arrangements may be requested because of a disability (e.g., visual impairment, hearing impairment, motor disability, illness, injury) and can be accommodated at all test sites:

• Wheelchair-accessible facilities
• Frequent breaks (e.g., for those with hypoglycemia or diabetes)
• Use of a magnifying glass, color overlays, or a straightedge (e.g., for those with a visual impairment)
• Use of a pen for a written assignment (e.g., for those with a motor impairment)
• Written copy of the oral directions (e.g., for those with a hearing impairment)

To request any of the alternative testing arrangements listed above, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form indicating the nature of and reason for the request.

If you wish to request arrangements other than those listed above, please review the instructions that follow.

Registering for alternative testing arrangements because of a physical disability. If you require arrangements other than those listed above and the alternative testing arrangements are being requested due to a physical disability (e.g., visual impairment), you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested; and
3. submit a signed statement by a licensed professional, written on that person’s professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the disability (e.g., ophthalmologist for visual impairment). The statement must indicate the following:



1. The disability for which alternative testing arrangements are being requested
2. The recommended test administration modifications that are specifically related to the disability and are reasonable in the context of the PLACE tests

Registering for alternative testing arrangements because of a disability other than physical. If you are requesting alternative testing arrangements due to a disability other than physical (e.g., learning disability), you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested; and
3. submit a signed statement by a qualified professional, written on that person’s professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to describe or diagnose the disability. The statement must indicate the following:



1. The disability for which alternative testing arrangements are being requested, with supporting documentation in the form of one of the following, which must be included as part of the statement or as separate documentation:



• A full educational history with complete documentation of special education services, including other disability-related testing modifications, received within the past five years, along with the name, date, and results of the diagnostic test(s) or evaluation(s), designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years, used to document the disability (test results should demonstrate a significant discrepancy in your performance and your expected capability level and demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

or

• Results of a psychological, neuropsychological, or psychoeducational diagnostic test battery, designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years, interpreted by a qualified professional whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the condition (test results should demonstrate a significant discrepancy in your performance and your expected capability level and demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

or

• Results of an evaluation interpreted by a licensed professional verifying physical abnormalities as evidenced by a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain topography mapping test administered within the past five years

and

2. The recommended test administration modifications that are specifically related to the disability and are reasonable in the context of the PLACE tests

Please note: If your test(s) or evaluation(s) were administered prior to the past five years, a full battery of testing may not be required. Instead, you may wish to consult with a qualified professional to determine which diagnostic test(s) related to your disability would indicate the current functional impact of your disability.

Appeal of denial of request for alternative testing arrangements. Evaluation Systems will notify examinees of the determination made with regard to their requests for alternative testing arrangements. You may appeal the denial of some or all of your requests for alternative testing arrangements. Before you submit your appeal, it is suggested that you review “Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements.” This section describes the documentation requirements for different types of alternative testing arrangements requests. If after reviewing the information in this section you still wish to proceed with an appeal of the decision, you may do so by submitting your appeal, in writing, to:

PLACE
Evaluation Systems
Pearson
P.O. Box 660
Amherst, MA 01004-9009

Telephone: (413) 256-2885
Fax: (413) 256-7075

The appeal should include the following information:

• Your name, address, and social security number
• The date of the appeal
• The date of the test administration upon which the appeal is based
• Any documentation, in addition to the documentation that you submitted with your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, that supports your alternative testing arrangements requests
• A brief summary of the reasons why your alternative testing arrangements requests should be granted
• Your signature

Your appeal should be submitted as soon as possible. Please be advised that an appeal that is received less than 30 days before the test date for which an examinee is registered may not be processed by that date.

After your appeal is reviewed, you will be notified as to whether your appeal has been granted or denied. All appeal determinations are subject to the approval of the CDE, and all appeal determinations are final.

Registering for an Alternative Test Date for Religious Reasons

Alternative test dates may be arranged for people whose religious practices do not allow them to take tests on Saturdays. These alternative test dates may be arranged only for religious reasons and will be scheduled for the Sunday following the regular Saturday test date.

To request an alternative test date, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form; and
3. submit a signed letter from a member of the clergy, written on that person’s professional letterhead, stating that your religious practices prohibit Saturday testing.

The deadline for submission of your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and supporting letter is the standard registration deadline.

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