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Student Disability Resource Center

Instructors and Alternative Testing

Help accommodate your students before the test begins!  Learning the steps to follow in advance of testing will help you, your student, and the SDRC work together smoothly. Students approved for testing accommodations have options for testing. Students can take exams: with their class without their testing accommodations, in class with appropriate testing accommodations arranged by the instructor, or proctored by our staff in the SDRC Test Proctoring Suite.

Instructor Guidelines

The guidelines below offer instructors instruction, recommendations, and insights into the Alternative Testing Process for registered Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) students who request to take their exams at the SDRC Test Proctoring Suite. 

1. Review Faculty Notification Letters: Thoroughly review the students' notification letters from the SDRC (sent via email). These letters outline the approved classroom and testing accommodations and serve as the foundation for your planning.

2. Determine Accommodation Provider: Based on the testing accommodations listed, decide who will be responsible for providing them. This could involve Teaching Assistants (TAs), the SDRC Testing Center, or arrangements within your department. Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility.

3. Complete Alternative Testing Agreement: If students intend to utilize the SDRC Testing Center for their exams, then the instructor must complete the Alternative Testing Agreement for their course. This Agreement communicates your rules and expectations to students testing in the SDRC Testing Center. Ensure that this agreement applies to all sections of the course.

4. Provide Accurate Exam Dates: Provide students with accurate exam dates at the beginning of the term in the course’s syllabus. Regularly communicate any updates or changes promptly to both the students and the SDRC staff to avoid confusion.

5. Address Late Arrival Penalties: Remind students of the penalties associated with arriving late for their exams. Communicate the consequences and the impact on their allotted exam time.

6. Create Accessible Exams: Instructors are responsible for designing their exam content for students with these accommodations. Such design changes include: enlarging the font or ensuring the exam is compatible with screen readers as needed for the student.

7. Upload Exam Materials to SDRC: Instructors are reminded to upload all exam materials by 12 PM on the day prior to the exam date. Any delays should be communicated to the SDRC immediately.

The test proctoring staff encourages instructors to familiarize themselves with the above information as it ensures a smooth testing experience for registered students. If you have any questions, please refer to the Instructor FAQs or contact the SDRC Test Proctoring Suite staff.

Blackboard Accessibility

Blackboard is USC's online course and learning management system available to the entire USC community. The following resources will provide you with some insights on how to accommodate students who may require exceptions when using the tool.

  • Blackboard Test Exceptions
    A video about Test Options and how to set exceptions (e.g. extended test time) for specific students.
  • Blackboard Test Options
    Blackboard article about adding extended test time to online tests for students that receive that accommodation from our office

 

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