Maihoff, N. A., Bosso, E., Zhang, L., Fischgrund, J., Schulz, J., Carlson, J., & Carlson, J. E. (2000). The effects of administering an ASL signed standardized test via DVD player/television and by paper-and-pencil: A pilot study . Delaware Department of Education.

Attachment 9 from the Inclusive Comprehensive Assessment Systems Project

Participants were first administered a multiple-choice test in both written form and signed form. The test was signed using American Sign Language (ASL) on a video device (DVD).

A total of 20 students between the ages of 10 and 11 participated in this study. The students were selected from two schools for the deaf in Delaware (U.S.). The students had been in a signing environment for at least 2 years. All students had at least a 70 IQ and were eligible for the state assessment.

Multiple-choice items on the CAT6 standardized mathematics test was administered via DVD using ASL sign language signing. The Terra Nova was administered without ASL signing.

The comparison between the effects of testing deaf and hard-of-hearing students using DVD video technology accompanying the written test and using the written test alone could not be completed. The absence of standard scores for the CAT6 prevented examination of any testing effects. The administration procedure of the CAT6 via DVD technology was reviewed. Participants were interviewed about their testing experiences. Participants' teachers were also asked about their observations of the test administration procedures and their students' responses. Although some students preferred the written test to that of the DVD because it took less time to take, all reported that the signed test was easier to understand. Student surveys and teacher surveys were developed as products of the interviews.