Testing Accommodations - Faculty Responsibilities

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Testing @ RIC is a shared responsibility between the CDA and RIC faculty. We encourage faculty and departments to work as independently as possible when arranging exam accommodations for students.

General Expectations

While academic departments and faculty members are primarily responsible for providing testing accommodations to students with disabilities, we understand that you may need some assistance from us with scheduling and managing proctored exams. There may be situations where faculty members would not be able to provide testing accommodations, so we offer proctoring on a limited basis. Situations in which you may need assistance from us include but are not limited to:

  • If you are teaching back-to-back classes and cannot proctor for the extended time.
  • If you cannot find a Separate/Reduced Distraction Testing Location
  • If you lack access to required assistive technology

Please note: The CDA does not offer proctoring for make-up exams for students who do not have a disability due to illness or other reasons. Space in our testing room and proctoring availability is limited; we must reserve make-up exam proctoring for students registered with the CDA.

Information for Faculty

How to Complete the Alternative Testing Agreement

Faculty will let the CDA know how accommodations will be coordinated in their class using the “Alternative Testing Agreement” via the AIM Portal.

Please see the options below:

  • Students should schedule their tests with the Center for Disability Access.
  • I plan to facilitate testing accommodations in this course section.  
  • Accommodated tests will be administered at RINEC.

Before students can be approved to take a test with the CDA, faculty must complete the Alternative Testing Agreement if there are tests in their course. This agreement will provide CDA staff with all of the information needed to administer the test. The student cannot be confirmed for the test without this Alternative Testing Agreement in place. The alternative testing agreement notifies CDA staff about the following:  

  • If the student should schedule their testing accommodations with the CDA or if Faculty will be facilitating testing accommodations.  
  • What type of examination students will be taking. Reminder to add midterm and final exams, when applicable.  
  • The length of time for exams/tests/quizzes for the class, NOT for the student with accommodations. AIM will calculate the students' extended time based on the amount of time the class has to complete the test.
  • What materials are required and allowed.
  • Clarification of testing instructions. Please provide the best contact information for where you will be available at the time the student is taking the test.  
  • What to do if a student is unable to take the exam at the same time as the class due to their accommodation(s) or scheduling conflicts.
  • How do you plan to get the exam to the CDA?
  • How will the CDA return the completed exam to you?

Testing Functions How To Guide in AIM for Faculty.docx 

Student Expectations

Students are expected to arrive on time. If they arrive more than 15 minutes late, the CDA will contact you. The CDA will give them the exam unless you specify otherwise on the Alt Testing Agreement. Alternatively, you can identify the latest you will allow a student to start. (i.e., do not give my student the exam if they're more than 20 minutes late). The end time of the exam will remain as originally scheduled, even if they are allowed to start late.

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Delivering Tests to CDA

To ensure safe, secure, and effective handling of exams, faculty should provide exams to the CDA as early as possible, or at least 24 hours in advance of the exam date. Advance delivery allows the CDA time to log receipt of the exam and complete any necessary preparation, such as converting the exam to an alternative format (e.g., Word for ZoomText or Kurzweil, audio, or large print), printing materials, and preparing the proctoring envelope and testing location. Timely receipt helps ensure that each exam is handled with the care and attention faculty expect. 

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CDA/Faculty Collaboration

Students are expected to arrive on time. If they arrive more than 15 minutes late, the CDA will contact you. The CDA will give them the exam unless you specify otherwise on the Alt Testing Agreement. Alternatively, you can identify the latest you will allow a student to start. (i.e., do not give my student the exam if they're more than 20 minutes late). The end time of the exam will remain as originally scheduled, even if they are allowed to start late.

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Expectations of students during exam

When they arrive, students will be asked to put all items in a locker prior to entering the testing room. All electronic devices must be turned off while in the designated secure area. Test takers are allowed to have bathroom breaks but should be encouraged to use the restroom prior to the start of the exam. The examinee must leave their testing materials in the room and will NOT have access to any stored items during the test.  

The use of any medical device or app within the testing room will be inspected by authorized test center personnel prior to entering the testing room. Use of the following items in the testing room is strictly prohibited: 

  • cell phones
  • smart watches
  • headphones
  • laptops
  • notebooks
  • books
  • pencil cases
  • food and beverages (water in a clear water bottle is allowed)
  • backpacks
  • purses
  • jackets 

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CDA Responsibilities

Academic integrity is the foundation of the academic community. Students who violate college rules on academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure or removal from a course, disciplinary probation, and/or dismissal from the college. If a testing irregularity occurs, a CDA staff member will immediately respond to any irregular conduct by the student and inform the faculty. It is important to the Center for Disability Access (CDA) that we are transparent with any testing irregularities, and that the faculty member affected has all information needed for the decision-making process. In all cases, faculty should submit a report to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs describing the nature of the violation and the subsequent action taken by the faculty member.