Teacher Newsletter for Testing Accommodations: Communicating Student Rights to Families

Why Testing Accommodations Communication Matters

Many families of students with documented disabilities do not know that their student may be eligible for accommodations on standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. Others know accommodations exist but do not know how to request them or when the process should start. A newsletter that provides clear, accurate information about the accommodation process serves students who might otherwise take standardized tests at a significant disadvantage compared to how they are evaluated in school.

What Accommodations Are Available

The most common standardized testing accommodations are extended time, typically 50% or 100% additional time per section, and a separate testing room. Other available accommodations include breaks as needed, use of assistive technology, human reader or audio format, and use of a scribe. The specific accommodations approved for any individual student depend on documented disability and functional need, not diagnosis alone.

The School's Role in the Process

The accommodation request process for College Board tests is submitted by the school on behalf of the student, not by the family directly. The school's SSD (Services for Students with Disabilities) coordinator submits documentation through the College Board portal. Families who want accommodations for their student should start by speaking with their school counselor or special education case manager, not by contacting College Board directly.

Documentation Requirements and What Qualifies

The most common and most straightforward path to accommodation approval is a current IEP or 504 Plan that specifies the accommodation the student receives in school. Students who already receive extended time on in-school tests typically qualify for extended time on standardized tests. Schools that provide a strong IEP or 504 documentation package see much higher approval rates than those that submit incomplete documentation or requests unsupported by the student's school-based record.

Timeline: When to Start

Families who want accommodations for their junior-year PSAT or their SAT should start the conversation with the school in the spring or fall before the planned test date. Documentation must be current in most cases, and evaluation takes time if the student has not been recently assessed. A newsletter sent in early fall for junior families and in spring for sophomore families gives the right lead time to avoid last-minute scrambles.

What Families Can Do If Their Student Has Not Been Evaluated

If a family believes their student has a disability that is affecting their academic or test performance but the student does not have a current IEP or 504 Plan, the path to accommodation starts with a school evaluation request. Families have the right to request a free special education evaluation through the school district. A newsletter that names this right helps families who may not know they can initiate the process.

Reaching Families With Daystage

High school counselors who use Daystage for testing accommodation newsletters ensure that every family with a student who might benefit from accommodations receives the information they need at the right time. Consistent communication prevents the situation where a family discovers accommodation availability after their student has already tested without support.