Procedures for Students Requiring Readers or Scribes

Some students may require readers to read their exams and/ or quizzes and others may require scribes to write, type and record answers to exam or quiz questions. Assistive technology, software and/or exams in alternative formats may be provided as accommodations in place of readers or scribes, when appropriate. When the need for a reader or scribe occurs a private room and/or extra time for testing may be required so students and readers can speak to each other without distracting others and so there is adequate time to finish exams and/or quizzes.

A reader is an individual who provides an oral presentation of text to a student eligible for services. The student depends on the test reader to read test questions accurately, pronounce words correctly and to speak clearly throughout the session.

A scribe is an individual who provides information in written or typed format as relayed by the student who is eligible for services. The student depends on the scribe to record information as relayed by the student ensuring responses are accurate and concise.

Any conflicts of interest among Disability Services staff who are reading or recording responses for students must be reported to Disability Services management and the professor immediately so adjustments can be made accordingly.

Readers, scribes and students must conduct examination sessions ethically and in a manner that supports the academic integrity of the professor and Disability Services at all times. For more information regarding the Student Conduct System, Policies and Procedures for Student Affairs.

Procedures for Faculty

Faculty shall provide Disability Services with all necessary materials to be read, written or typed so readers or scribes may adequately prepare prior to delivery of the exam or quiz.

Faculty will provide clarification regarding exam and/or quiz questions etc. to readers, scribes and students as needed.

Faculty will provide Disability Services with information regarding what is or is not allowed during the exam and what is to be done upon the completion of the exam.

Procedures for Students Requiring a Reader

For those students who use assistive technology, software and/or alternative formats instead of a reader, Disability Services will provide adequate training prior to taking exams, as needed.

Disability Services will provide clear instructions received from professors as to what is or is not allowed during the exam and/or quiz and what is to be done upon completion.

Students will receive information regarding the role of a reader prior to having exams or quizzes read to them.

Disability Services will provide readers with adequate training on how to appropriately read exams to students prior to providing reader services.

Readers will review test format, subject matter and test questions prior to reading information to students and will seek clarification as needed, prior to starting.

The reader shall read each exam item as presented in the exam. Following the presentation of each exam item, the reader will allow the student time to respond to each item.

The reader may be requested to reread a question but may not offer clarification. If clarification of an exam question is a problem for the student, he/she may write a brief explanation of his/her understanding of the question or the reader may assist the student with contacting the professor.

If the integrity of the exam is in question, the student will be allowed to finish the exam, a Disability Services staff member will speak with the student and the professor will be notified.

The student must not make inappropriate requests of the reader, such as asking the reader to provide information related to an exam question, engaging the reader in extraneous conversations during exams, or asking the reader to fill out forms using his/her own judgment.

Procedures for Students Requiring a Scribe:

Disability Services will provide scribes with adequate training on how to appropriately write/type and record student responses prior to providing scribe services.

For those students using assistive technology, software and/or alternative formats instead of a scribe, Disability Services will provide students with adequate training prior to taking exams, as needed.

Students will receive information regarding the role of the scribe prior to having exams or quizzes read to them.

Scribes will review test format, subject matter and test questions prior to students taking the exam or quiz and will seek clarification as needed, prior to starting.

When recording answers to an exam item, the scribe will respond in writing or by typing the answers exactly how it was dictated to them by the student. The scribe will not organize or paraphrase responses into a final draft. At any time the student may request to review what the scribe has recorded by reading it or asking the scribe to read what was recorded. The student may request that the scribe make necessary edits and corrections.

If the integrity of the exam is in question, the student will be allowed to finish the exam, a Disability Services staff member will speak with the student and the professor will be notified.

The student must not make inappropriate requests of the scribe, such as asking the scribe to provide information related to an exam question, engaging the scribe in extraneous conversations during exams, or asking the reader to fill out forms using his/her own judgment.