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College Boards - Accommodations


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The school psychologist contacted me just before the holiday last week. DS, a freshman in high school, is taking his first AP classes this year, and he'll need to take the exams toward the end of the school year to qualify for the college credits. I guess in order to receive the testing accommodations included within his IEP (like extended time) for these college-levels tests, as well as for the ACT, etc., we need to provide the College Boards with additional information.

 

She's specifically requested a letter from DS's psych/doctor, identifying the diagnosis, when treatment commenced, how it impacts DS with respect to his academics, testing, etc. Our psych is ready and willing to help, but she and we are looking for a little guidance in how best to present this information so that the accommodations are granted. From what I hear, College Boards can be very sticky about such things.

 

Anybody have any successful examples they could offer? If so, I'd really appreciate a PM! Thanks!

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I've heard college boards are prickly too, but I just thought I'd share..... I have two students at the high school with "speech/language only" IEPs. One for fluency and one for word retrieval, both academically advanced (but the one with word retrieval uses extended time for everything.)

 

The counselor submitted the IEP and ER documents for both students. She thought NO WAY for the fluency IEP and that the other student would need a more recent evaluation than two years ago. BOTH students were approved for X 1.5 the allotted time for each section. This was for SATs/PSATs....is that the same board as AP exams? IDK.

 

The counselor was shocked, but both had had IEPs since elementary school, so I think a long history helps, even though they are advanced students.

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Hi Nancy,

 

I had no problem getting accomodations for my ACT's. I can't remember if I based it on PANDAS or just on a medical condition where I would need breaks (may have said "IBS"). I got to test in my own room b/c I was the only student that day who needed these particular accomodations. I got "stop-the-clock" breaks which I could use to relax/decompress or go to the bathroom. They were FANTASTIC. I wish I had known about these during other testing in high school. I had already started PANDAS treatment so didn't have much anxiety left at the time. I used my 504 from high school. It was very, very easy to do--no hassle whatsoever. The people from ACT helped me get it set up. And the teacher I tested with was from a school with mainly autistic students so she was very understanding. I'll try to find my letter of request for you, but I honestly have no idea what I did with it...

 

Tell your son good luck!

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Hi Nancy,

 

I had no problem getting accomodations for my ACT's. I can't remember if I based it on PANDAS or just on a medical condition where I would need breaks (may have said "IBS"). I got to test in my own room b/c I was the only student that day who needed these particular accomodations. I got "stop-the-clock" breaks which I could use to relax/decompress or go to the bathroom. They were FANTASTIC. I wish I had known about these during other testing in high school. I had already started PANDAS treatment so didn't have much anxiety left at the time. I used my 504 from high school. It was very, very easy to do--no hassle whatsoever. The people from ACT helped me get it set up. And the teacher I tested with was from a school with mainly autistic students so she was very understanding. I'll try to find my letter of request for you, but I honestly have no idea what I did with it...

 

Tell your son good luck!

 

Thanks for the input, EmmaLilly! I was hoping you'd check in. I'll pass on the good wishes, and if you can lay your hands on that letter of request without too much trouble, that would be great.

 

Cool idea about "stop-the-clock" breaks, also; we've always used "extended time," but I like your version of it better since it deals with the immediate need.

 

Thanks again!

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My DD was declined first go 'round so she took PSATs without any accommodations. We are now getting letters from 2 doctors and her counselor that speak to her need to have breaks when frustrated and to have additional time on assessments due to impact that her anxiety has on her cognitive efficiency and speed of recall. I'm hoping that helps.

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We got DS extra time to take SATs in 7th grade for Johns Hopkins. He didn't have a 504 then and they were very picky about having the exact tests that ate specified in the guidance documents. They also cluelessly lost our application twice. But once you get it you are good for all of HS.

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