Assessments for DHH students must be conducted in what language and mode?

Assessments for DHH students must be conducted in what language and mode?

• A. The Language Of Instruction
• B. Native Language And Desired Mode
• C. English Only
• D. Sign Language Only

Answer: (B)

Assessments for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students should be conducted in their native language and in the mode they prefer to communicate. This approach ensures the test measures what they know and can do, not how well they understand a different language or struggle with an unfamiliar communication method. For many students, the native language is a sign language, and the desired mode may be sign, spoken, or a combination, chosen to be most accessible. Using English-only or restricting the assessment to sign language-only can introduce bias and obscure true abilities. Matching language and mode supports a fair, valid evaluation of the student’s skills.

Assessments for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students should be conducted in their native language and in the mode they prefer to communicate. This approach ensures the test measures what they know and can do, not how well they understand a different language or struggle with an unfamiliar communication method. For many students, the native language is a sign language, and the desired mode may be sign, spoken, or a combination, chosen to be most accessible. Using English-only or restricting the assessment to sign language-only can introduce bias and obscure true abilities. Matching language and mode supports a fair, valid evaluation of the student’s skills.