Method for Identifying Accommodations Studies
This searchable bibliography was started in response to the need for updated information on research on accommodations. In 1999, Tindal and Fuchs created a summary of research on test changes for the Mid-South Regional Resource Center (MSRRC). Because of the dramatic increase in research on this topic, both Tindal and Fuchs and MSRRC encouraged NCEO to commit to updating the database on accommodations research. This online searchable bibliography is our commitment to this important endeavor.
For this online database, all studies summarized in Tindal and Fuchs are included, with the exception of those that considered collaborative groups, performance-based assessment, computer adaptive testing, and instruction in test-taking strategies as accommodations. Additional studies were identified for inclusion in the accommodations bibliography using a method similar to that used by Tindal and Fuchs. Four indexes (Digital Dissertations, ERIC, Education Source, and PsycInfo) were searched for studies using the following keywords:
- test changes standardized testing
- test changes large-scale testing
- large-scale test changes
- standardized test changes
- test changes state testing
- state test changes
- test changes standards-based testing
- standards-based test changes
- standardized test modification
- large-scale test modifications
- state test modifications
- standards based test modifications
- standardized testing accommodations
- large-scale testing accommodations
- state testing accommodations
- standards-based testing accommodations
- test changes
- test modifications
- test accommodations
Additionally, a variety of journals were hand-searched for articles on accommodations. These included the following journals:
- American Annals of the Deaf
- Applied Measurement in Education
- Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
- Assessment for Effective Intervention
- Behavioral Disorders
- British Journal of Educational Technology
- British Journal of Special Education
- Canadian Journal of School Psychology
- Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals
- College Student Journal
- Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- Education Policy Analysis Archives
- Educational and Psychological Measurement
- Educational Assessment
- Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice
- Exceptional Children
- Exceptionality
- Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
- International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
- Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Journal of Applied Psychology
- Journal of Applied Testing Technology
- Journal of Attention Disorders
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Journal of College Reading and Learning
- Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education
- Journal of Disability Policy Studies
- Journal of Educational Computing Research
- Journal of Educational Measurement
- Journal of Educational Psychology
- Journal of Educational Research
- Journal of Learning Disabilities
- Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability
- Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
- Journal of School Psychology
- Journal of Special Education Technology
- Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness
- Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
- Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal
- Learning Disabilities Research & Practice
- Learning Disability Quarterly
- Physical Disabilities: Education and Related Services
- Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation
- Psychology in the Schools
- Remedial and Special Education
- Research in Developmental Disabilities
- Review of Educational Research
- School Psychology Quarterly
- The Journal of Educational Research
- The Journal of Special Education
Websites of organizations that frequently publish accommodation studies were also searched. These included the following:
The College Board Research Library
Wisconsin Center for Educational Research
Accommodation papers presented at annual meetings of the following organizations were also identified: American Educational Research Association, Council of Chief State School Officers, and National Council on Measurement in Education.
Criteria for Inclusion
To be included and summarized in this online bibliography, studies need to involve either (1) experimental manipulation of an accommodation, (2) investigation of the comparability of test scores across accommodated and non-accommodated conditions, or (3) examination of survey results on teachers’ knowledge and/or perceptions of accommodations. Emphasis is placed on including studies that examine testing accommodations as opposed to instructional accommodations. Although not a requirement for inclusion, studies involving accommodations for students with disabilities are the primary focus of the bibliography.