MCC Daily Tribune

Do you have Students with Testing Accommodations in your Class? Read this!

Students may be approaching you in the next few weeks with an accommodation letter. Many students with an accommodation letter will choose to take their classroom tests in the Testing Center (06-207). Here are a few reminders and things to expect:

Some of the accommodations provided in Testing Services include:

Exam Reader Pens
Scanners and software which will read a paper or online exam
Speech-to-text Software
Magnification devices

In order for students to utilize these ADA-approved devices, tests need to be created with accessibility in mind.

Here are 5 simple things you can do to increase exam accessibility for all students in your classes:

Use a "Sans Serif" font: Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica.
If your test is created with Word or Powerpoint, run the Accessibility Checker. To do this, go to File>Inspect Document>Check for Issues> Check Accessibility. This will ensure that assistive technology (such as a screen reader or magnifier) will be able to navigate the document clearly.
Use a standard font size and color. This will ensure that the student using a screen reader or magnification device will be able to adjust the exam's appearance properly for their accommodated need.
Use one of MS Word's pre-made templates. These are created to be compatible with current accessibility best practices.
Include plenty of "white space" on your exam. Line spacing should be at a minimum of 1.5. This allows for ease of visual interpretation of materials.

It is always the student's responsibility to schedule their test in advance.

Some professors use the traditional testing envelopes (white with red print).

We do, however, have other options. Testing Services uses a web-based program called Registerblast to manage testing appointments. There is a "Professor" module embedded in this service. The Professor module allows faculty to create an account within Registerblast. From that account, you can upload any documents that are necessary for Testing Services to proctor a particular test. There is also space for you to include all of the information that is currently on the envelopes.

NEW: To access Registerblast, log in to MyMCC, then go to the Faculty Tools box and select "Submit Accommodated Exams."

Here's what faculty members had to say about uploading tests through Registerblast:

"I had a very positive experience using the paperless testing and never had to print out the exams as I graded them on my tablet and returned them to my students electronically. The process also allowed me to obtain the students exams more readily and when students signed up last minute, it was also very easy for me to send the materials to your office electronically."

"I loved it! Very efficient process."

If you are interested in saving some paper and trying this new process of sending and receiving accommodated tests electronically, please reach to out SSDTesting@monroecc.edu, or give me a call at 292-2293. I'd be happy to walk you through the process.

There are some new rules in the Testing Center for Spring 2020.

Based on updated best practices for proctored testing, we have added some rules for students testing in the Testing Center. These rules will help create an equitable and secure test environment for every student in the testing center.

1. No Hats (except in the case of religious observance)

2. Hoods need to be down

3. No food or drink at the workstation

As always, no phones, watches, nor any other electronic devices are allowed with the examinee. All of these items will be locked up and inaccessible during testing.

We are here to help! Feel free to reach out to SSDTesting@monroecc.edu at any time with your questions or concerns.

Sarah Elizabeth Pantaleo
Testing Services
01/29/2020