How does providing extended time during assessments benefit students with disabilities?

Providing extended time during assessments benefits students with disabilities by allowing them to complete tests at their own pace. Many students with disabilities may face challenges that can slow down their processing speed, such as difficulties with reading, writing, cognitive processing, or other specific learning difficulties. Extended time accommodations help level the playing field, enabling these students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without being rushed or hindered by time constraints that do not take their needs into account.

This approach is rooted in fairness and accessibility, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed in demonstrating their understanding of the material, rather than being disadvantaged by a standard time limit that may not be suitable for everyone. It recognizes that assessments should measure what students know and can do, rather than how quickly they can complete a task.