“Accommodations for Disabled Students on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)”

By Dennis C. McAndrews, Esquire

McAndrews Law Offices has successfully pursued significant accommodations for students with disabilities who were denied accommodations for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).  It is not uncommon for students to be denied accommodations by testing agencies such as the SAT or the American College Test (ACT), but skilled advocacy and knowledge of the information required by these agencies is critical in pursuing appropriate assistance for students with disabilities.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations must be provided to students with disabilities who require such adjustment for testing such as the SAT and the ACT.  Interestingly, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that the Bar of Examiners of California must develop a bar exam and accommodate individuals with disabilities to “best ensure” that the bar exam accurately reflects an individual’s aptitude rather than an individual’s disability.  Enyart v. National Conference of Bar Examiners, Inc., 630 F.3d 1153, 1160-1161 (9th Cir. 2011).  In its holding, the Ninth Circuit relied on the ADA and its regulations.  The section-by-section analysis of the ADA’s regulations specifically provides that the examinations covered by the ADA’s “best ensure” standard includes the SAT.  Thus, testing agencies, including the College Board, must select examinations and ensure accommodations that are not only reasonable, but will “best ensure” that the examination accurately reflects an individual’s aptitude rather than an individual’s disability.

McAndrews Law Offices is prepared to assist families in pursuing accommodations that will “best ensure” the SAT and ACT reflects the student’s aptitude rather than the student’s disability.

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