Avant Assessment Testing Accommodations
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Testing Accommodations
The following testing accommodations for Avant’s language assessments are intended to help all individuals access each section of the test successfully. Avant Assessment’s accommodations policy is intended to comply as closely as possible with Federal, State and local accommodations rules. Avant will work with School Districts, Colleges and Universities to gain compliance with regulations under section 508 and other applicable standards and administrative rules.
Avant’s assessments are designed to provide the current proficiency level of a test taker across one or more modes of communication (Reading, Writing, Listening, and/or Speaking). Each mode is purposely separated into its own section of the test to isolate and focus on that particular area.
The main idea with any accommodation is to accommodate the test taker without changing the nature or context of the question or helping with their answer or response. The most commonly requested accommodation for the assessment is extra time, which can always be allowed.
Blind and Limited Vision
- Test takers can increase the zoom level of the screen.
For sections other than the Reading Section
- An Aide can read any of the English portions of the test and can describe, in English, any accompanying photographs or images.
- Avant Assessment provides audio support in the target language for all Writing and Speaking prompts and tasks.
Reading Section
- The Reading Section measures a test taker’s independent reading ability in a target language. Reading the Avant Test Reading Section to a test taker defeats the purpose of the assessment. If an IEP requires tests be read to test takers, then reading the Avant Test Reading Section aloud is a local decision.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Volume control for increased volume.
For sections other than the Listening Section
- For areas of the test with verbal instructions, an Aide can communicate any of the English portions of the test and can describe, in English or sign language, any accompanying photograph.
Listening Section
- Proctors should plan a time and space for test takers with hearing disabilities (including those with implants) to complete the listening section of the test with adequate audio configuration through the utilization of amplified external speakers or other audio equipment.
Speech Sound Disorder
- Test takers may use extra time and may want to use the Speaking section’s “Add to Recording” feature as well as re-record features for the speaking section of the test.
- Test takers have the ability to skip the Speaking section all together if needed.
Dyslexic Test Takers
Dyslexic test takers can have an Aide read any of the English portions of the test – but only the English portions.
Test Time & Breaks
- The most commonly requested accommodation for the assessment is extra time, which can always be allowed for all sections of the test.
- Avant’s test are not timed, test takers can take as long as necessary to complete each section.
- Breaks can be taken at any time, most commonly in-between sections.
- Avant’s tests can be divided into several sessions over as many days as needed.
For accommodations not listed above, please fill out Avant Accommodations Request Form at the bottom of this page at least 14 days before your test date.
Limited English Proficiency
Login, Test Taker Profile & Instructions pages
Any and all translation assistance is allowed for these areas, since they do not contain any elements which would be assessed. The goal is for test takers to login to the test successfully, complete the Test Taker Profile accurately, and understand the instructions about the Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking sections.
Reading & Listening sections (see graphic below)
- Translation assistance is allowed for the ‘Situation’ and ‘Question’ elements only (see graphic below).
- Do NOT translate any of the authentic text or authentic audio.
- Do NOT translate any of the multiple choice answer options.
READING EXAMPLE QUESTION
This graphic frames the item format translation guide directions described in the text above.
Writing & Speaking sections
- The Writing and Speaking section prompts are provided in written English with target language audio support.
- Proctors may read the prompt aloud in English, if needed and explain the overall task.
- Verbal assistance is allowed for directions, and for the technical aspects of keyboarding or recording their responses and operating the record and playback buttons.
Why are the test questions and instructions in English?
- First, it is critical to make absolutely sure the reason the test taker responded correctly or incorrectly is based on the test taker’s actual comprehension of the authentic text and not the language used in the question. Simply speaking, the English question helps isolate the target language skill being measured.
- Second, in order to ask an appropriate question that addresses the level of the text, the question language level may be far more difficult than the text itself. In other words, the difficulty of the language in the question may prevent the test taker from responding correctly to an authentic text they actually comprehend.
How to Request Accommodation
For accommodations not listed above, please fill out our Accommodations Request Form below at least 14 days before your test date.
Updated October 2022