1.5 CE Credits
Presented by:
Benjamin J. Lovett, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
State University of New York at Cortland
An increasing number of individuals are receiving accommodations such as extra time, a separate room, and a reader on high-stakes tests used for admission, selection, certification, and educational accountability. However, poor decisions about accommodations use can invalidate test scores and compromise resulting judgments about individuals’ skill levels. After reviewing relevant legal guidelines, we will cover five essential psychometric issues to consider when recommending an accommodation; for each issue, examples of relevant research studies will be discussed. Based on the legal and psychometric foundations, a best-practices model for testing accommodations decision-making will be explicated, and then applied, step-by-step, to several example scenarios. Throughout, the emphasis will be on accommodations for individuals with learning, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities; however, the model presented can be applied to individuals with sensory and physical disabilities as well.
After the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe the requirements of laws and regulations affecting disability accommodations.
- Discuss the results of relevant research studies exploring the effects of accommodations on test score interpretations.
- Apply a model for accommodations decision-making to common assessment situations.
Target Audience: Psychologists, educators, and physicians
Instructional Level: Introductory
About Benjamin J. Lovett, Ph.D.
Dr. Lovett is Associate Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York at Cortland, where he teaches courses on the assessment and management of students with disabilities. He has published over 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals and edited books, mostly on assessment issues in students with learning and attention problems. His book, Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, was published by the APA Press in 2015. Dr. Lovett consults widely with testing agencies and educational institutions on the topics of disability documentation and testing accommodations, and he has given invited talks and workshops at numerous national and international conferences.
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