WISC-III ACCOMMODATIONS - THE NEED FOR PRACTITIONER GUIDELINES

According to professional standards and federal legislation, practitio ners should provide reasonable test accommodations to eliminate discri minatory practices and to allow for an ''even playing field.'' However , a contrasting view is concerned with the possible effects of deviati ng from standard administration procedures-meaningless scores and an u nfair edge for individuals with disabilities. Particularly regarding t he Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition, practitione rs are lacking guidelines in the following areas: (a) initial selectio n of tests to administer; (b) modifications in administration, if any; and (c) interpretation and reporting of results. Greater efforts are needed to formulate guidelines based on a synthesis of student needs, professional standards, federal legislation, psychometric theory, and empirical research.