Beyond Psychometric Evaluation of the Student—Task Determinants of Accommodation

Abstract

Students with learning disabilities obtain a wide range of recommended accommodations in secondary school, which they anticipate will continue into postsecondary education. Although the student’s specific learning disability (SLD) contributes to the accommodation planning process, it is not the sole determinant of appropriate accommodation. Academic requirements have integrity of their own, bona fide elements that cannot be altered without changing the nature of what is being taught or assessed. It is important to remain cognizant of bona fide requirements, which may not be altered when recommending academic accommodations. This is especially true when the student is heading into postsecondary or professional education. This article uses the World Health Organization’s model of disability and the human rights context to highlight the role of bona fide requirements in accommodation planning.