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Higher Education and Disability: Improved Federal Enforcement
Needed to Better Protect Students' Rights to Testing
Accommodations. GAO-12-40, Nov 29, 2011.
Standardized tests are often required to gain admission into
postsecondary schools or to obtain professional certifications.
Federal disability laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) require entities that administer these tests to provide
accommodations, such as extended time or changes in test format, to
students with disabilities. GAO examined (1) the types of
accommodations individuals apply for and receive and how schools
assist them, (2) factors testing companies consider when making
decisions about requests for accommodations, (3) challenges
individuals and testing companies experience in receiving and
granting accommodations, and (4) how federal agencies enforce
compliance with relevant disability laws and regulations. To
conduct this work, GAO interviewed disability experts; individuals
with disabilities; officials from high schools, postsecondary
schools, testing companies; and officials from the Departments of
Justice (Justice), Education, and Health and Human Services (HHS).
GAO also reviewed testing company policies and data, federal
complaint and case data for selected testing companies, and
relevant laws and regulations.
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