Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements

Alternative testing arrangements that are reasonable in the context of this certification test and supported by documentation may be provided for the following examinees who would not be able to take the test under standard conditions:

• Examinees with physical disabilities (e.g., visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor disabilities, illness, injury)
• Examinees with disabilities other than physical (e.g., learning disabilities)
• Examinees whose religious practices do not allow them to take tests on Saturdays

All timely and complete alternative testing arrangements requests and accompanying documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon receipt. In some cases, the submitted documentation may not be sufficient to make a determination regarding the requested accommodation(s) or may not support the requested accommodation(s). Additional information or test results may be needed.

Please be aware that your request form and supporting documentation may be shared with the GaPSC in order to process your request. The documentation will be kept confidential to the extent required by law.

Some alternative testing arrangements may be accommodated at selected sites only.

Procedure for Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements

Initial requests for alternative testing arrangements. In all cases, examinees requesting alternative testing arrangements must (a) complete a test registration and submit correct payment, (b) mail or fax a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, and (c) mail or fax any required documentation. Please note that there are separate request forms for paper-based testing and computer-based testing. The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Forms are available to download as PDF documents by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)" on the GACE Web site. Write your name and telephone number on each piece of correspondence you provide.

Subsequent requests for alternative testing arrangements. The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form must be submitted each time you register. The first time that you request alternative testing arrangements, you will need to submit all of the required documentation to support your request for accommodations. Evaluation Systems will keep your documentation on file for one year. If you register for subsequent test dates within that year, you only need to submit your completed registration, correct payment, and a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, as long as your condition and the requested accommodations have not changed.

Deadline for requests for paper-based testing. The deadline for submission of requests and all necessary documentation for alternative testing arrangements for paper-based testing is the regular registration deadline. For the May 8, 2010, supplemental administration, the deadline is April 30, 2010. For the July 17, 2010, supplemental administration, the deadline is July 9, 2010. Because of space, staff, and time constraints, there can be no assurance that requests received after this deadline can be accommodated.

Some accommodations (e.g., Braille tests) have specialized production requirements associated with them, and more time for production may be required than is available after the regular registration deadline. Although every effort is made to process all requests in a timely manner, the earlier you submit your request, the more time will be available for specialized production, if needed. Certain production requirements may necessitate rolling over your registration to a future test administration.

Notification of resolution. Before the test date, you will receive information regarding your request. The resolution of your request for alternative testing arrangements will be sent to you by U.S. mail, even if you register on the Internet and receive a receipt of registration by e-mail. You should contact Evaluation Systems at the time you receive this information if you have any questions or concerns about it. If you have submitted a request for alternative testing arrangements and you have not received written confirmation of your resolution before the late registration deadline, you should contact Evaluation Systems to confirm receipt of your request.

In some cases, you may be contacted directly to discuss suitable testing arrangements.

Requests for additional time. The test session is designed to allow sufficient time to complete the test(s) scheduled for the session. Examinees may find the testing time to be more than enough to complete the test(s), even if they have needed extra time on other assessments they have taken in the past. Please keep in mind that for paper-based testing you are automatically given three hours to take the Paraprofessional test or four hours to take one test of any other assessment if you register for only one test per test session or test administration (see "Test Selection for Paper-Based Testing" for information about test availability by test session).

If, however, you have a documented disability and you feel you need extra time for testing, you may submit a request for alternative testing arrangements when you register for the GACE. Also, for paper-based testing, you may wish to register for only one assessment per test date, which will allow you to use the second test session for additional time to complete the assessment, providing your request for additional time is approved. Registering for multiple assessments on the same test date limits the additional testing time you can be allowed because testing must be completed within one test administration day. Please note that all requests for additional time require appropriate documentation and are subject to approval by the GaPSC.

Documentation Requirements and Review of Requests

The following alternative testing arrangements may be requested because of a disability (e.g., visual impairment, hearing impairment, motor disability, illness, injury) and can be accommodated at all test sites:

For paper-based testing:

• Wheelchair-accessible facilities
• Frequent breaks (e.g., for those with hypoglycemia or diabetes)
• Use of a magnifying glass, color overlays, or a straightedge (e.g., for those with a visual impairment)
• Use of a pen for a written assignment (e.g., for those with a motor impairment)
• Written copy of the oral directions (e.g., for those with a hearing impairment)

For computer-based testing:

• Allowance of a medical device in the testing room
• Use of a trackball mouse
• Adjustable table

Please note that all sites are wheelchair-accessible. In addition, all examinees are permitted to take breaks to use the restroom, take medication, etc., without prior approval. Any time taken for these breaks is considered part of the examinee's available testing time.

To request any of the alternative testing arrangements listed above, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form indicating the nature of and reason for the request.

If you wish to request arrangements other than those listed above, please review the instructions that follow.

Registering for alternative testing arrangements because of a physical disability. If you require arrangements other than those listed above and the alternative testing arrangements are being requested due to a physical disability (e.g., visual impairment), you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested; and
3. submit a signed statement by a licensed professional, written on that person's professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the disability (e.g., ophthalmologist for visual impairment). The statement must indicate the following:
   
   
   1. The disability for which alternative testing arrangements are being requested
   2. The recommended test administration modifications that are specifically related to the disability and are reasonable in the context of this certification test

Registering for alternative testing arrangements because of a disability other than physical. If you are requesting alternative testing arrangements due to a disability other than physical (e.g., learning disability), you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested; and
3. submit a signed statement by a qualified professional, written on that person's professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to describe or diagnose the disability. The statement must indicate the following:
   
   
   1. The disability for which alternative testing arrangements are being requested, with supporting documentation in the form of one of the following, which must be included as part of the statement or as separate documentation:
      
      
      • A full educational history with complete documentation of special education services, including other disability-related testing modifications, received within the past five years, along with the name, date, and results of the diagnostic test(s) or evaluation(s), designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years, used to document the disability (test results should demonstrate a significant discrepancy in your performance and your expected capability level and demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

        or

      • Results of a psychological, neuropsychological, or psychoeducational diagnostic test battery, designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years, interpreted by a qualified professional whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the condition (test results should demonstrate a significant discrepancy in your performance and your expected capability level and demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

        or

      • Results of an evaluation interpreted by a licensed professional verifying physical abnormalities as evidenced by a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain topography mapping test administered within the past five years

        and

   2. The recommended test administration modifications that are specifically related to the disability and are reasonable in the context of this certification test

Please note: If your test(s) or evaluation(s) were administered prior to the past five years, a full battery of testing may not be required. Instead, you may wish to consult with a qualified professional to determine which diagnostic test(s) related to your disability would indicate the current functional impact of your disability.

Appeal of denial of request for alternative testing arrangements. Evaluation Systems will notify examinees of the determination made with regard to their requests for alternative testing arrangements. You may appeal the denial of some or all of your requests for alternative testing arrangements. Before you submit your appeal, it is suggested that you review "Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements." This section describes the documentation requirements for different types of alternative testing arrangements requests. If after reviewing the information in this section you still wish to proceed with an appeal of the decision, you may do so by submitting your appeal, in writing, to:

Alternative Testing Arrangements Coordinator
Evaluation Systems
Pearson
P.O. Box 660
Amherst, MA 01004-9002

Telephone: (800) 523-7064 or (413) 256-2894
Fax: (413) 256-7075

The appeal should include the following information:

• Your name, address, and social security number
• The date of the appeal
• The date of the test administration upon which the appeal is based
• Any documentation, in addition to the documentation that you submitted with your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, that supports your alternative testing arrangements requests
• A brief summary of the reasons why your alternative testing arrangements requests should be granted
• Your signature

Your appeal should be submitted as soon as possible. Please be advised that an appeal that is received less than 30 days before the test date for which an examinee is registered may not be processed by that date.

After your appeal is reviewed, you will be notified as to whether your appeal has been granted or denied. All appeal determinations are subject to the approval of the GaPSC, and all appeal determinations are final.

Registering for an Alternative Test Date for Religious Reasons

Alternative test dates may be arranged for people who are registering for paper-based testing and whose religious practices do not allow them to take tests on Saturdays. These alternative test dates may be arranged only for religious reasons and will typically be scheduled for the Sunday following the regular Saturday test date. Alternative test dates are available only in the following test areas:

Test Area and Code

Atlanta–Metro area (104)

Augusta area (112)

Columbus area (114)

To request an alternative test date, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form; and
3. submit a signed letter from a member of the clergy, written on that person's professional letterhead, stating that your religious practices prohibit Saturday testing.

The deadline for submission of your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and supporting letter is the regular registration deadline.

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