What is an important consideration when selecting accommodations for students with exceptionalities?

In the context of selecting accommodations for students with exceptionalities, the goal of the assessment is crucial because it directly influences how accommodations are tailored to meet the individual needs of the student. The selected accommodations should align with the intended outcomes of the assessment, ensuring that they support the student in demonstrating their knowledge and skills without being hindered by their exceptionalities.

When accommodations are thoughtfully designed with the assessment's goals in mind, they facilitate an accurate reflection of the student's abilities, allowing the assessment to serve its intended purpose effectively. For instance, if the assessment aims to measure a student's understanding of a subject, accommodations could include extended time or the use of assistive technology, so that the assessment truly measures learning rather than the challenges imposed by a disability.

While factors such as classroom size, behavior expectations, and resource availability certainly play roles in the broader context of educational planning and implementation, they do not directly address the fundamental purpose of the assessment itself. It is essential to keep the assessment goals at the forefront to ensure that the accommodations meaningfully contribute to the student’s success.