Interview Documentation Form

Note: Example published with permission from Matthew Georgalas, Computer Servicing Technology teacher, Mon Valley CTC.

Name: Teacher at MVCTC for over 10 years
Title/Organization: Teacher
Date: October 1, 2013

Summary of Interview:

  1. In what ways have you modified tests?
  2. The teacher has done the following to modify tests:
  3. Removed choices from a multiple choice test
  4. Given “true and false” tests in place of multiple choice
  5. Removed essay questions
  6. Included word banks
  7. Tested in the resource room
  8. Given performance tests in place of written tests
  1. Do you only modify written tests or do you also modify performance tests?
  2. The teacher gives extra aid to students while taking performance tests, including sometimes letting them use written notes.
  1. Do you feel it is fair to give modified tests?
  2. The teacher feels it is fair as long as it does not give students with an IEP an advantage over other students.
  3. I asked how that is possible: The teacher said he or she kept the same material on the test, but simplified questions. They felt removing choices from possible answers is not the correct way to modify a test.
  1. How do you give modified tests without the entire class finding out about a student’s IEP?
  2. The teacher privately talks to the student at the beginning of the year and tells them not to mention anything about IEPs, including modified tests. The teacher not only does this to keep the IEP confidential, but also to prevent the stigma placed on the student if the rest of the class finds out he or she has an IEP.
  1. Do you feel your students with a learning disability are able to pass the regular version of the test?
  2. The teacher feels that some students have unnecessary IEPs, but for the most part, still follows them as they are written. Paper tests will still be modified for these students, but the teacher may be stricter on performance tests.
  1. Have you ever given a standard version of a test to a student with an IEP? How did they score compared to the rest of the class?
  2. The teacher has given standard versions of the test to IEP students in the past, with mixed results. Often times students with an IEP performed as well as other students.
  1. Have you ever given a modified version of a test to a student without an IEP? How did they score compare to the rest of the class?
  2. The teacher has never tried this.
  1. Do you have any advice on how to modify a test in a way that makes it easier to understand, while still giving an accurate representation of what the student knows? For instance, removing choices from a multiple choice question does not make the question easier to understand, it only helps the student become a more accurate guesser.
  2. The teacher recommends not removing choices from multiple choice tests unless it is specifically stated in the IEP. Otherwise, the teacher allows IEP students to list answers in place of essay questions, and gives a word bank to everyone if there are fill in answers. They said they also put extra unused words in the word bank so that it is not too easy for the rest of the class.