The College Board has overhauled its process for disabled students requesting testing accommodations. The overhaul makes it easier for disabled students to receive the needed support on College Board assessments.

Beginning on January 1, 2017, the vast majority of students who are approved for and using testing accommodations at their school through a current Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan will have those same accommodations automatically approved for taking the SAT, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT Subject tests and AP Exams. Also, most private school students with a current, formal school-based plan that meets College Board criteria will have their current accommodations automatically approved for College Board exams.

College Board announced that under its new policy, school testing accommodation coordinators need to answer only two questions when submitting most requests for students: “Is the requested accommodation(s) in the student’s plan?” and “Has the student used the accommodation(s) for school testing?” If YES is the answer to both of these questions, eligible students can be approved to receive most accommodations on College Board exams.

Some requests for accommodations from both public and private school students may still need additional supporting documentation for approval, but overall, College Board stated in its release that “This new process is expected to reduce the approval times for an overwhelming majority of accommodation requests.”

For additional information on or assistance with both College Board and Educational Testing Service (ACT testing) accommodations requests, contact the Special Education Team at McDowell, Posternock, Apell, and Detrick, P.C. at 856-242-8151.