New College Board Policy Means Easier Access To Testing Accommodations

The College Board has revised its policy for applying for testing accommodations, making it easier for eligible students to receive the support they need on the PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject tests and AP exams.

The College Board has simplified their process for test accommodations.

Beginning January 1, 2017 most students who are approved for and are using testing accommodations at their school (through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan) will be approved when they apply to College Board for the same accommodations. Most private school students with a school-based plan that meets College Board criteria will also have their current accommodations automatically approved. “Educators, students, and families have asked us to simplify our process, and we’ve listened,” said David Coleman, president and CEO of the College Board. “The school staff knows their students best, and we want to cut down on the time and paperwork needed to submit a testing accommodations request.”

The new process requires that the school testing coordinators need to answer only two questions when submitting 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 the answer is yes to both questions, eligible students can be approved to receive most accommodations. This new policy is expected to reduce the approval time for an overwhelming majority of accommodation requests.

Overwhelmed when it comes to the accommodation process? We can help.