What’s the Accommodation?
Student will be tested for mastery only.
A testing-for-mastery accommodation can limit repetitive questions while allowing a student to show whether they’ve learned the skills being assessed.
However, “testing for mastery only” doesn’t explain how to provide the support.
Does the teacher shorten the test before giving it to the student? Does testing stop once the student shows mastery? What happens after a wrong answer? Does the student take weekly quizzes, end-of-unit tests, or both?
Those questions need answers before testing begins.
Who Benefits From Testing-for-Mastery Accommodations?
Students who struggle with attention, processing, stamina, reading, and/or writing are among the students who may benefit from this accommodation. The decision should be based on the student’s needs and the task, not just a diagnosis.
For example, consider a student who can explain a math concept but struggles to complete pages of similar problems. Is repeated work the barrier? Is it fatigue or anxiety about the test’s length? Does the student struggle to put thoughts into words? Is the physical act of writing difficult?
The answers can help the team decide how to write the accommodation.
Potential Problems
Under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an individualized education program (IEP) must identify the student’s services and supports. The school also must tell responsible teachers and providers what they must do, including which accommodations they must provide. These requirements appear in 34 CFR §§ 300.320(a)(4) and 300.323(d). Clear wording helps staff follow the plan.
The Teacher Says Everyone Already Gets the Support
Consider this example from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in Virginia:
A student’s IEP said he would be tested for mastery only. The parent and student thought this meant shorter tests with fewer questions than classmates received.
The student later reported receiving the same tests as his classmates. His math teacher explained that she already limited repeated questions for everyone. She said she tested the entire class for mastery.
