REGISTERING FOR ALTERNATIVE TESTING ARRANGEMENTS

Requesting Accommodations

Alternative testing arrangements that are reasonable in the context of this licensing test, do not fundamentally alter the nature of the test, and are supported by documentation may be provided, upon request, to candidates who would not be able to take the test under standard conditions. Candidates who may be eligible for alternative testing arrangements are

• candidates whose religious practices do not allow them to take tests on Saturdays;
• candidates with physical disabilities (e.g., visual impairments, motor disabilities, illness, injury); and
• candidates with disabilities other than physical.

Evaluation Systems reviews each request as it is received and determines on a case-by-case basis whether to grant requested alternative testing arrangements. Because of the amount of time required to review requests for alternative testing arrangements and to make necessary changes at the test site or to test materials, there can be no assurance that requests received after the regular registration deadline can be accommodated for the chosen test date or at the assigned test site.

Some accommodations (e.g., Braille tests) have specialized production requirements associated with them, and more time for production may be required than is available after the regular registration deadline. Although every effort is made to process all requests in a timely manner, the earlier you submit your request, the more time will be available for specialized production, if needed. Certain production requirements may necessitate rolling over your registration to a future test administration.

In some cases, the supporting documentation submitted with a request for alternative testing arrangements may not be sufficient to make a determination or may not support the requested accommodation. In such cases, you will need to submit additional documentation. In some cases, Evaluation Systems may contact you directly to discuss suitable testing arrangements.

How to Register for Paper-Based Testing

If you are registering for alternative testing arrangements for the first time, you may register by mail or on the Internet during the regular or late registration period or by telephone or on the Internet during the emergency registration period.

Individuals who registered for the MTEL previously, with or without accommodations, may take advantage of the telephone reregistration service offered during the regular and late registration periods.

If you register by telephone, you should inform the Evaluation Systems representative that you are requesting alternative testing arrangements and specify the arrangements you are requesting. If you are registering during the late or emergency registration period, you should fax, rather than mail, the Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form for Paper-Based Testing and supporting documentation to (413) 256-7075. This will help expedite the process.

If you plan to register for consecutive test dates and require alternative testing arrangements, you must call (413) 256-2892 or (866) 565-4894, as early as possible, to discuss your request. This is necessary to allow for the maximum amount of time to process your request. Please see "Test Fees and Payment Policies" for information regarding test registration fee waivers for testing on consecutive test dates.

Deadline for requests. You may make a request for alternative testing arrangements when you register for the MTEL during the regular, late, or emergency registration periods. To ensure that there is adequate time to process your request and provide approved accommodations, you are strongly encouraged to register and submit all required information as early as possible, preferably by the regular registration deadline.

Requests for additional time. The test session is designed to allow sufficient time to complete any of the tests in the MTEL program. Candidates may find the testing session to be more than enough to complete their test, even if they have needed extra time on other tests they have taken in the past. Please keep in mind that you are automatically given four hours to take one subtest of the Communication and Literacy Skills test, the General Curriculum test, or the Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test if you register for only one subtest per test session or test administration (see "Test Selection" for information about test availability by test session).

If, however, you have a documented disability and you feel you need extra time for testing, you may submit a request for alternative testing arrangements when you register for the MTEL. Also, you may wish to register for only one test per test date, which will allow you to use the second test session for additional time to complete the test, providing your request for additional time is approved. Registering for two tests on the same test date limits the additional testing time you can be allowed because testing must be completed within one test administration day. Please note that all requests for additional time require appropriate documentation and are subject to approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Notification of resolution. Before the test date, you will receive information regarding your request. The resolution of your request for alternative testing arrangements will be sent to you by U.S. mail, even if you register on the Internet and receive a receipt of registration by e-mail. You should contact Evaluation Systems at the time you receive this information if you have any questions or concerns about it. If you have submitted a request for alternative testing arrangements and you have not received written confirmation of your resolution before the late registration deadline, you should contact Evaluation Systems to confirm receipt of your request.

Registering for an alternative test date for religious reasons. An alternative test date may be arranged for candidates who are registering for paper-based testing and whose religious practices do not allow them to take tests on Saturdays. An alternative test date may be arranged only for religious reasons. If you plan to request an alternative test date for religious reasons, you must register to test at a site in an area where the alternative test date administration is available. Alternative test dates are only available at sites in the following test areas:

• 003 Somerville High School
• 009 Burncoat High School

The specific test site location will vary from the address provided for the Saturday test administration. Your admission ticket will contain the address of your assigned test site location if you are approved for the alternative test date.

The alternative test date will be the Sunday following the regular Saturday test date. To request an alternative test date, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form for Paper-Based Testing, which is available to download and print by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)" on the MTEL web site.

How to Register for Computer-Based Testing

Deadline for requests. Candidates who wish to request alternative testing arrangements for a computer-based administration should register as early as possible in advance of their desired test date because of the additional time needed to process the registration and to schedule the test administration date. After registering, you must mail or fax a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form for Computer-Based Testing and any required documentation as described below. Most candidates will be contacted regarding the resolution of a request for alternative testing arrangements within three weeks after the request form and all required documentation have been received.

Requests for additional time. The test session is designed to allow sufficient time to complete any of the tests in the MTEL program. Candidates may find the testing session to be more than enough to complete their test, even if they have needed extra time on other tests they have taken in the past. Please keep in mind that you are automatically given four hours to take one subtest of the Communication and Literacy Skills test if you register for only one subtest per test appointment. If, however, you have a documented disability and you feel you need extra time for testing, you may submit a request for alternative testing arrangements when you register for the MTEL. Please note that testing must be completed within one test administration day and that all requests for additional time require appropriate documentation and are subject to approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Notification of resolution. When you submit a request for alternative testing arrangements, you should wait to receive confirmation of your resolution before scheduling your test appointment at the test center. If you schedule your test appointment before receiving this confirmation, you will be required to cancel and reschedule it in order to ensure that your accommodations will be appropriately applied. This could result in a delay of your desired test date.

When your request for alternative testing arrangements has been resolved, you will be contacted via e-mail regarding the resolution and given important information about scheduling your test appointment. In order to ensure that your approved accommodations are appropriately applied to your test appointment and available for your test session, you must schedule your test appointment by phone. Test appointments scheduled through the Pearson VUE web site will not reflect any approved alternative testing arrangements.

Scheduling your test appointment. Once you have received confirmation that your alternative testing arrangements request has been resolved, you must call the Pearson VUE phone number provided to you and identify yourself as a candidate who needs to schedule a test appointment for the MTEL with accommodations. If you do not indicate that you have been approved for accommodations at the time that you call to schedule your test appointment, you will be scheduled for a test appointment without your approved accommodations.

When you call to schedule a test appointment, you should be prepared to identify your preferred test date and test center. Please be aware that some accommodations may require up to three weeks prior to the date of your test appointment to make the necessary arrangements for staff, space, and materials. Please schedule your test appointment as soon as possible after your request has been resolved in order to allow time for such arrangements to be made and to avoid a potential delay in your test date.

Alternative test dates. Computer-based testing is available Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays). For this reason, individuals whose religious practices prohibit Saturday testing are able to independently schedule a test appointment that does not conflict with their religious practices without submitting a request for alternative testing arrangements.

What to Submit

Initial requests for alternative testing arrangements. The first time you request alternative testing arrangements for an MTEL examination, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment;
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, which is available to download and print by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)" on the MTEL web site; and
3. submit supporting documentation, if required. Write your name and telephone number on each piece of correspondence.

The documentation is kept confidential to the extent required by law.

Subsequent requests for alternative testing arrangements. If you register for a subsequent test date and your condition, disability, or religious conviction and the recommended accommodation(s) for it have not changed, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, which is available to download and print by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)" on the MTEL web site.

If your condition or disability and/or the recommended test accommodation(s) have changed, you may need to submit additional documentation in support of your request.

Documentation Requirements and Review of Requests

The following alternative testing arrangements may be requested because of a disability (e.g., visual impairment, motor disability, illness, injury) and can be accommodated at all test sites:

For paper-based testing:

• Allowance of a medical device (e.g., inhaler) in the testing room
• Frequent breaks (e.g., for those with hypoglycemia or diabetes)
• Use of a magnifying glass, color overlays, or a ruler (e.g., for those with a visual impairment)
• Use of a pen for a written response to an open-response item (e.g., for those with a motor impairment)

For computer-based testing:

• Allowance of a medical device (e.g., inhaler) in the testing room
• Use of a trackball mouse
• Adjustable table

Please note that all sites are wheelchair-accessible. In addition, all candidates are permitted to take breaks to use the restroom, take medication, etc., without prior approval. Any time taken for these breaks is considered part of the candidate's available testing time.

To request any of the alternative arrangements listed above, you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, indicating the nature of and reason for the request (forms are available to download and print by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms [PDF]" on the MTEL web site).

If you wish to request arrangements other than those listed above, please review the instructions that follow.

If you require alternative arrangements other than those listed above, and the alternative testing arrangements are being requested due to a physical disability (e.g., visual impairment), you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment;
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested (forms are available to download and print by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms [PDF]" on the MTEL web site); and
3. submit a signed statement by a licensed professional, on that person's professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the disability (e.g., ophthalmologist for visual impairment or physical therapist for mobility impairment). This information is important to ensure that the appropriate accommodations are made for you. The statement must indicate the following:
   1. The disability for which alternative testing arrangements are being requested
   2. Recommended test administration modifications that are specifically related to the disability and are reasonable in the context of this licensing test

If you are requesting alternative testing arrangements due to a cognitive or emotional disability (e.g., learning disability), you must

1. complete your test registration and submit the correct payment;
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested (forms are available to download and print by selecting "Print Bulletin and Forms [PDF]" on the MTEL web site); and
3. submit a signed statement by a qualified professional, on that person's professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to describe or diagnose the disability. The statement must indicate the following:
   • The disability for which alternative testing arrangements are being requested, with supporting documentation in the form of one of the following, which must be included as part of the statement or as separate documentation:
     • A full educational history with complete documentation of special education services, including other disability-related testing modifications received within the past five years, along with the name, date, and results of the test(s) or evaluation(s), designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years, used to document the disability (test results should demonstrate a significant discrepancy in your performance and your expected capability level and demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

       or

     • Results of a psychological, neuropsychological, or psychoeducational test battery, designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years, interpreted by a qualified professional whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the condition (test results should demonstrate a significant discrepancy in your performance and your expected capability level and demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

       or

     • Results of an evaluation interpreted by a licensed professional verifying physical abnormalities as evidenced by a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain topography mapping test administered within the past five years

       and

   • Recommended test administration modifications that are specifically related to the disability and are reasonable in the context of this licensing test

PLEASE NOTE: If your test(s) or evaluation(s) were administered prior to the past five years, a full battery of testing may not be required. Instead, you may wish to consult with a qualified professional to determine which diagnostic test(s), related to your disability, would indicate the current functional impact of your disability.

Making Determinations

Evaluation Systems reviews requests for alternative testing arrangements individually upon receipt to determine if the request and supporting documentation are complete and that any required tests and diagnostic documentation are current (conducted within the past five years). Evaluation Systems also reviews documentation to determine that it supports the requested accommodation(s) and that the requested alternative testing arrangement(s) are reasonable in the context of the selected MTEL test and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the test. Please be aware that your request form and supporting documentation may be shared with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in order to process your request. The documentation will be kept confidential to the extent required by law. Evaluation Systems may grant or deny all or some of the requested accommodations. Evaluation Systems will notify you in writing as to whether your requested accommodation(s) can be provided for the requested test administration and the assigned test site.

In certain cases, your requested alternative testing arrangements may be granted, but they may not be able to be accommodated at the test site you requested or during a particular test administration. In such a case, an Evaluation Systems representative may contact you to discuss suitable testing arrangements. You will be given the choice of taking the test with accommodation(s) at an alternative test site, taking the test without accommodation(s) at the assigned test site, applying your registration and test fees to the next available test date, or receiving a refund. If you have any questions or wish to check on the status of your request, you may call (413) 256-2892 or (866) 565-4894.

Denied requests. Evaluation Systems may deny your request for alternative testing arrangements if (1) the documentation does not support the request for alternative testing arrangements or (2) the requested accommodation(s) are not reasonable. If your request is denied, you will be notified in writing and provided with the reason for the denial.

If your request is returned to you unprocessed or denied, Evaluation Systems will contact you and will offer you the opportunity to take the test on the date requested without all or some of the requested alternative testing arrangements. Or you may provide additional supporting documentation and/or information to Evaluation Systems in support of your request, and you may request that your registration and test fees be applied to a future test date.

Unable to accommodate requests. Because of the amount of time required to adequately review requests for alternative testing arrangements and because of test site and staffing constraints, there can be no assurance that requests for alternative testing arrangements received after the regular registration deadline can be accommodated for the chosen test date or at the requested test site. If your request cannot be accommodated for these reasons, Evaluation Systems will contact you and offer you the opportunity to take the test on the date requested without all or some of the requested alternative testing arrangements, or to test at an alternative site. Or you may request to apply your registration and test fees to the next available test date or receive a refund.

Process for submitting a request for a review of decision. You may request a review of the denial of some or all of your requests for alternative testing arrangements. Before you submit your request, it is suggested that you review "Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements." This section describes the documentation requirements for different types of alternative testing arrangements requests. If after reviewing the information in this section you still wish to proceed with a request for a review of the decision, you may do so by submitting your request, in writing, to:

Alternative Testing Arrangements Coordinator
MTEL Program
Evaluation Systems
Pearson
P.O. Box 660
Amherst, MA 01004-9013

Telephone: (866) 565-4894 or (413) 256-2892
Fax: (413) 256-7075

The request for review should include the following information:

• Your name, address, and ID number
• The date of the request
• The date of the test administration upon which the request for review is based
• Any documentation, in addition to the documentation that you submitted with your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, that supports your alternative testing arrangements requests
• A brief summary of the reasons why your alternative testing arrangements requests should be granted
• Your signature

Your request for review should be submitted as soon as possible. Please be advised that a review may take up to 30 calendar days to resolve. For paper-based testing, a request for review that is received less than 30 calendar days before the test date for which a candidate is registered may not be processed by that date. For computer-based testing, if you schedule your test appointment before the review is resolved and the reviewed accommodation is later granted, you will be scheduled for a test appointment without your approved accommodations.

After your request for review is processed, you will be notified as to whether your request has been granted or denied. All requests for review determinations are subject to the approval of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and all determinations are final.

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