Educational Service Guidelines for the Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Standard 8: Test Administration
Standard 8-Test Administration
Once a qualified assessment team completes a communication evaluation and determines the primary language and preferred communication approach of a student who is D/HH, tests are administered using that identified language and communication approach and are conducted by professionals proficient in that approach. This practice assures that assessments reflect an accurate measure of abilities regardless of mastery of spoken or written English. Ohio Operating Standards for Students with Disabilities: 3301-51-06 (E)(a)(ii)
When an assessment plan is being developed, the special language needs of students who are D/HH should be recognized. When there is a primary and/or preferred language other than English (including American Sign Language), educational evaluations and assessments should be conducted in that language. The student’s preferred communication approach supported by data, which may be signed or spoken (with or without the support of signs or cues), should be utilized in the assessment. The test environment must ensure adequate lighting and meet classroom acoustical standards (ANSI/ASA s12.60, 2010).
Note: regarding ASL interpretation or signed evaluation presentation: Due to the iconic nature of sign language, special care must be taken to ensure that signed test administration does not inadvertently lead the student to the correct answers, or when it does, it is noted. For example, the examiner or interpreter may sign “SHOW-ME DRINK” on a receptive vocabulary test. The sign for drink gestures drinking a glass of water; this would therefore lead the student to the picture choice that shows a girl drinking from a glass.
If working with an ASL interpreter, careful preparation before the evaluation session during which time the interpreter is informed of the goal of testing and can be allowed time to preview questions (and target responses) they will be interpreting, is essential in order to have confidence in evaluative results.