Faculty Responsibilities for Testing
The Disability Services Program operates a DSP Testing Center to assist faculty with implementation of approved testing accommodations. In order for this arrangement to work smoothly, instructors must fulfill their testing responsibilities and maintain sufficient communication with both the student and the DSP.
How to Add Testing Instructions in Accommodate
Faculty must upload testing instructions in Accommodate at least 2 business days before the exam date, so that the SDS Testing Center has adequate time to prepare for the student to take the exam in our space. SDS needs faculty to provide testing instructions regardless of exam format (paper, Canvas, etc.).
Step 1: Log into the Faculty Accommodate Portal using your DU Credentials, and navigate to your courses using the navigation bar on the left.
Step 2: Select the course that you wish to provide testing information for
Step 3: Inside the course, along the top bar, you can select Provide Testing Information. In the middle of this page, under the Apply Search button, select the Provide Testing Information button.
Step 4: Provide the requested testing information inside of the form. When complete, select submit.
- IMPORTANT: Please provide a word document or PDF version for all tests, whether they are on paper or on Canvas.
- At the bottom of the form, questions about applying to all records are asked. If you select yes to both, all students and all sections of the same course will be provided the same testing parameters. If you run assessments differently in other sections of the same course, you should say No, and provide new testing information in that specific course.
What are Testing Accommodations?
The "Why" of Testing Accommodations
Students may have testing accommodations for a variety of disability-related reasons. Testing accommodations create equitable access for students with disabilities, allowing them to show their true aptitude and depth of knowledge on assessments.
On the following cards, you will find examples of some common testing accommodations students may have. This list is not exhaustive, and you should always consult the sent letters of approved accommodation for students at the beginning of and throughout the quarter. If you have questions about any accommodations, please reach out to us at SDS@du.edu
Extended Testing Time
Students may require more time to complete a test for a variety of reasons. Extended time allows students to demonstrate what they have learned when taking exams and quizzes.
Distraction Reduced Setting
The testing center provides students with this accommodation with a quiet space with fewer distractions during testing.
Text-to-Speech on Exams
Some students have disabilities that impact their ability to read text in a traditional format. Text-to-speech software reads aloud test questions to students.
Typing on Exams
This accommodation permits students to type, rather than handwrite, exam anwers.
Dictation
Dictation software turns spoken words into typed words when students are answering exam questions.
Faculty Responsibilities with Testing Accommodations
Faculty are key players in implementing students' testing accommodations. Click on the items in the list below to learn more about your role in accommodation implementation.
-
Discuss testing accommodations with the student
Discuss the types of exams in your class and which approved accommodations the student will need to utilize. Determine whether you will provide the accommodations in the classroom or utilize the DSP Testing Center. If a student requests accommodations not approved in their LOAA, please have the student contact the DSP.
-
Provide the student with test dates and durations
Provide accurate exam dates to student in advance, allowing ample time to reserve accommodations. Please also inform the student of how much time the class gets to take the exams.
-
Help arrange for accommodations even when deadlines are missed
Students cannot be denied accommodations solely because they miss the sign-up deadlines. If a student cannot be scheduled in the DSP Testing Center, faculty must attempt in good faith to make alternate arrangements if at all possible.
-
Upload testing instructions in a timely manner
The SDS testing center needs adequate time to prepare for students utilizing the SDS testing center. Instructors must upload their testing information into the Accommodate Portal two (2) business days in advance of the test.
-
Provide equitable access to information during exams
If students in the classroom can ask the professor or Teaching Assistance (TA) questions during the exam, students at the DSP Testing Center must be granted the same access. Professors are asked to provide contact information via the Accommodate Portal when they submit the exam. Additionally, if handouts, visual aids or other information is provided in the classroom during an exam, they must also be provided at the DSP Testing Center.
-
Include reminders in the syllabus
In addition to a disability statement, the DSP recommends that faculty include a statement encouraging students with approved accommodations to share with you their Letters Of Approved Accommodations (LOAAs) as soon as possible.
-
Help coordinate scheduling
Typically, students receiving extra time for testing at the DSP Testing Center start exams at the same time as the rest of their classmates taking the tests in their classrooms. If extended time could interfere with another class, the student may need to take the exam at an alternate time. The DSP requires the course professor's approval to move exams to any day or time outside the student's normal class time.
-
Add appropriate additional time on Canvas tests, quizzes, and exams
When creating an assessment on Canvas, instructors are responsible for adding additional time per a student's accommodation.
FAQs
FAQs
Whether you are new to DU or have been teaching for a long time, you might have some questions about implementing testing accommodations. We've amassed our most common questions-- and answers!-- here for your convenience.
Q: How will I get students' completed exams?
A: When filling out testing instructions, we will ask you your preferred method of exam delivery. We will automatically scan and deliver exams via email. If you prefer, we can also either deliver them directly to your department, or you can pick them up from the testing center in Driscoll South.
Q: Will I get a reminder to upload my testing instructions?
A: Professors receive automated reminder emails from the DSP both four (4) and two (2) days before quizzes and tests, and both eight (8) and three (3) days before final exams to remind them to submit their exams to DSP Testing Center. Each reminder includes the scheduled date and time, as well as a link to upload the test and instructions to the Accommodate Portal. Please email sds.testing@du.edu if the date or time of the test differs from what is listed in the email.
Q: I already uploaded my testing instructions. Why do I keep getting reminder emails?
A: Professors receive automated reminder emails remind them to submit their exams to SDS Testing Center, regardless of whether or not you have uploaded instructions. The Accommodate system does not currently have the functionality to differentiate between instructors who have and have not uploaded exams in these automated messages. If you receive and automated message and have already provided us with instructions, please feel free to disregard the email!
Q: My exam is on Canvas/McGraw Hill/another online platform. Do I still need to provide testing instructions?
A: Yes. Professors must upload testing instructions regardless of the format of the exam. These instructions help to reduce any confusion for students and the testing center staff.
Q: Can I just email the testing center my exam instructions?
A: No. In order to enact sustainable processes and ensure that no instructions get lost in the ether, instructors must use the Accommodate portal to upload all testing materials and instructions.
Q: How do I add extended time on Canvas/McGraw Hill/online exams
A: When giving a test via an online platform-- whether Canvas, McGraw Hill, or something else-- instructors are responsible for adding additional testing time for students with extended time accommodations. Below, we have included resources adding extra time on Canvas, as well as other commonly used online learning platforms.
Adding extra time in McGraw Hill Connect
Adding extra time in Cengage Learning
If you forget to add extra time in a Canvas exam, the SDS Testing Center Coordinator will add the additional time on your behalf; however, our office does not have this capability for other platforms (e.g., McGraw Hill Connect), so it is crucial that you double check time limits in these other platforms.
Q: I have a question about a student's accommodation. What should I do?
A: First, we recommend reading through the student's Letter of Approved Accommodation, via the Accommodate Portal. These letters detail what an accommodation is, as well as student and instructor responsibilities.
If you still have questions after that, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can email us at SDS@du.edu for general accommodation questions, or sds.testing@du.edu for testing-specific accommodation questions.
Q: What if a student has a question during the exam?
A: When filling out testing instructions, you will provide your email and phone number. When students have questions we will email and/or call you. Please keep your phone and/or laptop accessible during the exam, so that students testing with SDS have equitable access to information.
Q: Who do I go to for help?
A: If you need additional support with testing-related accommodation questions, please contact our Testing Center Coordinator at sds.testing@du.edu.
For general accommodation questions, please email us at sds@du.edu.
Q: Why do I need to provide a Word or PDF version on Canvas tests?
A: There are two reasons why you need to provide a Word of PDF version of any assessment, even those on Canvas.
First, a student may have an accommodation for a paper copy of the test.
Second, Lockdown Browser is currently incompatible with text-to-speech software. Text-to-speech is a common testing accommodation, and we need a PDF/Word copy in order to implement this accommodation.