Suffolk University - Extended Time

Extended Time - Policy

Suffolk University is dedicated to the concept of a full University education for all its students, by extending all available services and support systems to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status. Suffolk’s goal is to provide an equal and unbiased education to all students. In seeking to achieve this, the University works to ensure that all students have access to University services, and that they are provided the opportunity to participate fully in University programs, activities, and academic life.

Disability Law as it Applies to the Accommodation of Extended Time Testing

The Law

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) require that no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by a university.

Under the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a university may not exclude an otherwise qualified student with a disability from any course of study or counsel students with disabilities into more restrictive career paths than are recommended to students who are non-disabled.

The ADA is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.

Accommodations

Measuring student progress in the classroom is an essential component of the educational process for all students. Providing reasonable accommodations to a student with a disability does not guarantee success on exams. Remember that students with disabilities may not master the course content, just like other non-disabled students. Students with disabilities have the same right as other students to fail as part of their educational experience.

That being said, some students with disabilities require that testing procedures be adapted to ensure the measurement of the student’s academic achievement, not the functional limitations caused by the student’s disability. The purpose of extended time testing is to minimize the impact of the disability on the student’s performance. Extended time on tests assures equal opportunity to show content mastery by providing time that is necessary to compensate for the disability.

To create a fair testing situation, students may need some or all of the following accommodations: extended time on tests, accessible test site, special equipment (i.e., word processor), readers and/or scribes, alternative format (i.e., large print), or reduced distraction test environment.

Studies

Several studies have been conducted to determine the effects of extended time testing for students with disabilities as compared to non-disabled students. The University of California conducted a study indicating that extended time makes a significant difference in the performance of students with disabilities, while only slightly improving the performance of non-disabled students.

Litigation

A recent legal decision on the issue of extended time determined that “extended time is a reasonable accommodation for a student whose documentation specifically calls for that accommodation. The university is required to ensure that the student is provided additional time to complete tests and/or coursework in order to provide an equal opportunity for that student.”

Extended Time Policy

Suffolk University students with a disability (Learning, AD/HD, Physical, Psychiatric, and/or Medical) who have submitted complete and appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students (DOS) Office may be eligible to receive classroom accommodations. The policy on extended time at Suffolk includes both extended time for exams and extensions on coursework. For student eligibility guidelines, visit the DOS website at www.suffolk.edu/studentservices.

At Suffolk University, extended time for exams constitutes “time and a half” based on standard course time (i.e., under this accommodation, a 50-minute course will provide a student with 75 minutes to complete an exam). Standard course times can be found on page 30 of the Suffolk University Catalog. Instructors may provide this accommodation by administering the exam through the Ballotti Learning Center (BLC), or by allowing a student extended time directly before or immediately after a scheduled exam time, during office hours, or at any other mutually agreed upon time and location. The DOS Office strongly discourages the allowance of “time intervals” while taking an exam (e.g., allowing a student to begin an exam, leave to attend another class, and return to complete the exam). Exams should be completed during the initial administration of the exam. Only under extraordinary circumstances will this accommodation extend beyond 3 hours. Extended time for exams will often be accompanied by the accommodation of separate setting for exams.

Academic Honesty

Students receiving extended time are expected to uphold the same standards of honesty as would be expected under ordinary circumstances and preserve the academic integrity of the exam. Suffolk University insists upon the highest standards of academic integrity in all student work. Penalties for academic misconduct are severe and may result in suspension or expulsion. A full discussion of the responsibilities of students in this matter can be found in the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbooks and the Policy and Procedures Handbook.

Shared Responsibility

Students with disabilities have the first responsibility to report their needs to the faculty in a timely manner as faculty are not required to anticipate students’ special needs. Faculty should state on the syllabus that students inform them of their special needs as soon as possible to ensure that those needs are met in a timely manner. If a student waits until the day of an exam to ask for extended time or a separate testing area, the student has failed to make the request in a timely manner. If the student fails to ask for extended time until late in the semester, the instructor is only required to provide accommodations from that time forward and does not need to offer make up exams. When a student discloses a disability, faculty members should ask what they could do to facilitate learning.

Using the BLC to Administer an Extended-Time Exam

Student Procedure:
	Student requests services through the DOS Office.
	Upon request for services and receipt of appropriate supporting documentation, the DOS Office drafts a letter authorizing extended time for exams.
	Student picks up letter from DOS Office and hand delivers to the instructor (preferably within first two weeks of semester).
	Student meets with instructor to discuss special needs in course and determine testing accommodations.
	Student must initiate arrangements with instructor at least one week prior to exam date.
	Exams are scheduled based on times available through the BLC unless the student and instructor agree upon alternative arrangements.
	Student will be permitted to enter the private testing area of the BLC (if appropriate) with only those materials specified on the Faculty Request Form for extended time testing.

Faculty Procedure:

	Instructors seeking the services of the BLC to facilitate this accommodation must submit a Faculty Request Form (the Form) to the Center. Forms are available at the DOS Office, the BLC, or online click here to download.
	The Form will provide directions for the exam and must be filled out completely to ensure that the exam is administered correctly (i.e., if notes are permitted, if it is an open book exam, special instructions, etc).
	The completed Form and directions for the exam should be sent directly to Tim Brown at the Ballotti Learning Center in Donahue 208.
	The BLC should receive a Form with each exam delivered to the BLC.
	Instructors are responsible for delivering the exam to the BLC at least three days prior to the scheduled examination. Failure to provide advanced notice may result in loss of requested time/ testing space.
	Under no circumstances should exams be delivered to the BLC through interoffice mail.
	When the exam is completed, it will be picked up or returned to the instructor by the BLC. This preference is denoted on the Form.

* Please Note:
	If accommodations require the Dean of Students Office to contact faculty, administrators, or other outside agencies, the student will be asked to sign a release form. The signed form allows the Dean of Students Office to share information with the appropriate professionals for the purposes of providing suitable accommodations.
	Instructors may also provide this accommodation by allowing a student extended time directly before or immediately after a scheduled exam time, during office hours, or at any other mutually agreed upon time and location.

Role of Dean of Students Office

The DOS Office functions as the institutional advocate for students with disabilities. Documentation of disabilities and requests for assistance should be made through the Assistant Dean of Students as early in the semester as possible. The DOS Office is responsible for providing accommodations in accordance with ADA guidelines and performs the following functions:
	coordinates services for students with disabilities, which includes verifying eligibility for services based on diagnostic documentation
	provides advocacy services for students with disabilities
	provides assistance to members of the campus community in responding to disability-related issues and concerns, and
	works with the larger campus community to overcome architectural, attitudinal, and administrative barriers
If you have questions about the extended time policy or other accommodation issues, please contact Chris Giordano, Assistant Dean of Students, at 617-573-8239 or mailto:cgiordan@suffolk.edu

Role of Ballotti Learning Center

The BLC supports Suffolk University students with disabilities through the services of a Learning Disability Specialist whose primary responsibility is working with students who have a diagnosed learning disability or AD/HD. Some of the services offered by the Learning Disability Specialist are academic coaching, AD/HD management, accommodation consultation, reading and writing support, study and test-taking strategies, time management, and assistive technology advising.

The BLC also provides space (as available) and initial supervision for extended time exams. Due to staffing constraints, the BLC cannot proctor extended time exams; however, a staff member will observe that the student enters the testing area with only those materials specified on the Form. BLC staff will also periodically check on the student’s progress and monitor time allowances.

Space for extended time testing is provided by the BLC at various times throughout the week. If necessary, qualified members of either the BLC or DOS Office will proctor exams in a group setting throughout the semester. The days, times, and locations of these services will be established on an as-needed basis and should be confirmed through the BLC.

To reserve testing space, please contact Tim Brown in the BLC at 617-573-8235. If you have additional questions regarding the policies and procedures of the BLC, or learning disability services offered through the BLC, please contact Margaret Suby, Learning Disabilities Specialist, at the same number.

*Please Note: Currently, the BLC is experiencing significant space constraints and may not be able to accommodate your request at your preferred time. Departments and instructors who are able to accommodate the extended time request of students are strongly encouraged to do so.