How Universal Should We Design Central Tests? Different Perspectives on the Use of Accommodations (Poster 6)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Seven
  In Poster Session: Division H Research, Evaluation, and Assessment in Schools: Accountability in Schools

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate different perspectives on the use of accommodations in central testing in Belgium with the purpose of discovering (1) which accommodations are desirable for students with special educational needs and what conditions are attached to granting accommodations? (2) How universal should we design central tests?
Data were collected by focus discussions (n=20) that were organized from different perspectives (n=182), followed by thematic analysis. The results show that participants agree that students with specific educational need should be allowed to use the granted accommodations they are used to in central tests. Regarding the universal design, there are important tensions and concerns formulated by the different perspectives which are explained in the results and discussion.

Authors

• Sabine Dierick, UHasselt
  Presenting Author

• Katrien Struyven, Hasselt University
  Non-Presenting Author