What is a reasonable testing accommodation for a student who cannot grasp a pencil?

• A. Verbal responses only
• B. Eye-tracking device
• C. Someone holds paper/clipboard above to mark for them
• D. Remove all writing tasks

Answer: (C)

When a student can’t grip a pencil, the goal is to let them show what they know without being blocked by the physical task of writing. Having someone hold a paper or clipboard above the test so they can mark the answers for the student directly addresses this barrier. It allows the student to indicate selections or have their choices recorded in a way that reflects their understanding, while preserving the standard test format and scoring. This approach is practical, accessible, and can be supervised to ensure responses reflect the student’s intent.

Other accommodations could be useful in different situations—verbal responses might work if the student can communicate reliably, but it isn’t universally applicable for all test items. Eye-tracking devices can be helpful but may require costly equipment and setup and may not be feasible in every setting. Removing all writing tasks eliminates access to the assessment of knowledge, which defeats the purpose of testing.