Parent Fact Sheet 1

Getting Help for Your Child When Taking State Tests

Each year all children take a state reading and math test. Sometimes there are additional tests. These tests are used to check whether your child’s school is meeting the needs of your child and other children. For an accurate view of whether this is happening, all students should participate in these tests. It is important that you know:

Your child may benefit from test resources that are available to all test takers. These resources meet a child’s specific needs.
Students with disabilities and English learners may use special resources called testing accommodations.
For your child to receive test resources, you should talk to your child’s teacher about the need for them.

If you would like to know what your child is being taught and is learning, see Fact Sheet 2, Strategies for Participating in What Your Child is Being Taught and is Learning in School.

What test resources are available?

Your state decides what resources may be used during state tests. These are identified in a list created by the state education agency.
Many resources are available to all students. They may be called “universal features,” “accessibility features,” or other terms. Examples include: highlighting text, interpreter, covering up some text, notepad for notetaking, line reader to keep place, glossary of some terms.
Teachers may have to request some testing resources.

Which test resources does my child need?

You and your child’s teacher should work together to identify test resources that may help your child when taking a state test.
Tell the teacher what resources you think your child needs that they are not yet receiving. Be ready to share how you know your child needs them. For example, “My child gets headaches from looking at a computer screen for a long time. Can we ask for the screen to be dimmer and for extra breaks to avoid headaches?”
Ask your child’s teacher whether resources and strategies used during instruction may be used for state tests.
Work with your child’s teacher to be sure your child has a chance to use test resources during instruction and when taking practice tests.

If your child has a disability…

Your child may be given test accommodations, which are resources that meet the specific disability needs of your child.
Your child also may use test resources available to all students.
Make sure your child knows how to use all available test resources, including test accommodations.
See Fact Sheet 3, State Testing of Your Child with a Disability, for more specific information.

Next steps

Talk with your child about using test resources. They do not all need to be used just because they are available.
Talk to your child’s teacher early if you have concerns about the test resources available to your child.

If your child is an English learner…

Test resources are available on state tests of reading, math, and other subjects to meet the language learning needs of your child. Some test resources may be available for only some tests. For example, a bilingual dictionary may be available for math but not reading tests.
Your child will also take an English language proficiency test. Different test resources will be available for this test.
Accommodations for English language proficiency tests are available if your child also has a disability.
See Fact Sheet 4, State Testing of Your Child Who is an English Learner, for more specific information.

This Fact Sheet is a product of the National Center on Educational Outcomes, with partial funding from the DIAMOND project. NCEO is supported through a Cooperative Agreement (#H326G210002) with the Research to Practice Division, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. The Center is affiliated with the Institute on Community Integration at the College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota. Consistent with EDGAR §75.62, the contents of this Fact Sheet were developed under the Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Education, but do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the U.S. Department of Education or Offices within it. Readers should not assume endorsement by the federal government. NCEO Project Officer: David Egnor

National Center on Educational Outcomes
University of Minnesota
2025 East River Parkway, Room 1-330
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Phone: 612-626-1530

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Thurlow, M. L., Mentan, C. F. T., Hinkle, A. R., & Lazarus, S. S. (2023). Getting help for your child when taking tests. National Center on Educational Outcomes.

Top of page