ACCOMODATIONS
Office for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities may apply to any GoCPS programs for which they are interested and eligible. Testing accommodations are provided according to a student’s current Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
CPS Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/explore/accommodations-for-students-with-disabilities/
https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/explore/accommodations-for-students-with-disabilities/
When Completing a GoCPS Application
Families should indicate on the GoCPS application when a student has an IEP or 504 Plan. Having an IEP or 504 Plan does not negatively affect a student’s application or selection process.
For current CPS students, including Garvy students, CPS obtains the student’s IEP or 504 Plan through its Student Information System.
Families are encouraged to complete their application early so that any required testing accommodations can be reviewed before testing.
High School Admissions Testing
Students with disabilities who apply to programs requiring the HSAT generally participate in the same admissions testing process as other applicants, with applicable accommodations provided according to their IEP or 504 Plan.
For the 2027–28 application cycle, the HSAT is the PreACT 9 Secure.
Students whose IEP or 504 Plan includes testing accommodations should make sure those accommodations are current and documented before the testing date.
CPS states that an IEP must be current within one year of the testing session for testing accommodations to be provided.
Chicago Public Schools
Questions about HSAT testing accommodations:
[email protected]
[email protected]
HSAT Information:
https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/apply/hsat-test/
https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/apply/hsat-test/
Students Who Participate in DLM-AA
Students who qualify for the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA) are not required to take the HSAT, although they may choose to participate.
Types of Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations are intended to provide students access to the assessment without changing what the test is designed to measure. Depending on what is documented in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan, accommodations may include:
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- Extended testing time
- Individual or small-group testing
- Large-print materials
- Braille materials
- Communication assistance
- Repeated directions
- Approved read-aloud accommodations
- A scribe or assistance recording responses
- Transferring responses from another format
- Other accommodations documented in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan
The specific accommodations provided during admissions testing are based on the student’s current IEP or 504 Plan and whether the accommodation is allowable for the assessment.
Keeping Accommodations Current
Families should work with their student’s IEP or 504 team to make sure testing accommodations are clearly documented and current before the admissions test.
For CPS students, testing accommodations are generally drawn from the assessment accommodations documented in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan.
OSD School Assignment Programs
Some students whose IEP requires a more specialized school-based program may receive a school assignment through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
Families of students who may need an OSD school assignment should work with their student’s case manager and IEP team to determine the appropriate process.
CPS information about OSD School Assignment Programs can be found through the GoCPS Choice Programs page: https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/explore/choice-programs/