Lazarus, S. S., Thurlow, M. L., Lail, K. E., & Christensen, L. (2009). A longitudinal analysis of state accommodations policies: Twelve years of change, 1993-2005 . The Journal of Special Education , 43 (2), 67–80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466907313524

Journal Article

Lazarus, S. S., Thurlow, M. L., Lail, K. E., & Christensen, L. (2009). A longitudinal analysis of state accommodations policies: Twelve years of change, 1993-2005. The Journal of Special Education, 43(2), 67–80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466907313524

Tags

Calculation device or software (interactive); Extended time; K-12; Oral delivery; Oral delivery, live/in-person; Signed administration; Spelling checker; U.S. context

URL

https://journals.sagepub.com/home/SED

Summary

Accommodation

This article uses information collected by the National Center on Educational Outcomes to analyze how accommodations policies changed between 1993 and 2005.

Participants

N/A; longitudinal review of state accommodations policy changes. The policy context applied by the researchers was state and federal (U.S.).

Dependent Variable

N/A; longitudinal review of state accommodations policy changes.

Findings

Throughout the 1990s, state accommodations policies often sought to level the playing field for students with disabilities. In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on seeking to ensure that the accommodations permit valid measurement of test constructs. Accommodations that involve the use of technology and the extended time accommodation are generally better accepted now than in the past. There continues to be no consensus across states about how several accommodations, including calculator, read aloud questions, sign interpret questions, and spell-checker, should be included in the policies, and states may want to consider focusing on the creation of high-quality, universally designed assessments that minimize the need for accommodations.