Which term describes the practices that provide students with disabilities equal access to assessment without altering the construct being tested?

The term that accurately describes the practices aimed at ensuring students with disabilities have equal access to assessments, without changing the fundamental nature of what is being tested, is accommodations. Accommodations are adjustments made to the assessment environment, format, or administration that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without altering the assessment's content or expectations.

For example, accommodations may include providing additional time, altering the test format (such as offering a digital format for a student with visual impairments), or allowing for a quiet space to take the assessment. The purpose is to level the playing field so that students with disabilities can show their true abilities and understanding, which reflects the value of fairness in the assessment process.

Other options, although seemingly related, do not fit this definition as precisely as accommodations do. Modifications tend to change the grading or learning expectations, and supportive measures focus more broadly on additional aids rather than specific testing conditions. Special provisions generally refer to broader policies or measures that may not strictly relate to testing contexts. This distinction is crucial in understanding how to apply best practices to assessments for students with disabilities.