AIBU to think that this is discrimination?

[Zilla74]

I have recently found out that the English Language GCSE has 20% of the marks awarded for spelling, punctuation and grammar |(SPAG). There is also 5% awarded in other subjects such as English Literature, History and Geography. If a student has spell check enabled or has a scribe they will automatically lose access to the SPAG marks.

My DD is in year 10 and is severely dyslexic, and although she struggles with English is capable in other subjects and is hoping to be able to go to University eventually. However, some of the courses she thinks she might like to attend require a grade 6 (old grade B), but that seems like it will be difficult for her to obtain the required English grade given her spelling difficulties.

I have done an analysis of the 2018 English Language GCSE mark boundaries and it appears that if you can only access 80% of the marks and you achieve the same % on the rest of the paper as someone who can spell, then the person who could spell would get a grade 8 / A* and the student using a scribe or spell check would only receive a grade 6 / B.

Quite honestly, I feel a bit depressed about this – although I do know that it is a first world problem and there are many children who are a lot worse off than she is, but it just feels wrong that the exam system seems to make it hard for people who already have learning difficulties.

AIBU to feel that this is unfair?

I find this really interesting. DS2 has fantastic SPAG and his SATS scores for this were brilliant. He does however have dysgraphia and therefore at secondary school uses a laptop and will do so for his GCSe exams. He doesn't need a scribe but will he lose marks for using a laptop in his GCSEs?

I accept they were terrible

2gorgeous No you don't lose marks for using a laptop, as usually the spelling and grammar check is disabled for exams.

However for the OPs DC spelling is so bad they need it on otherwise people won't know what they are trying to say.

But, should all 'less than perfect' characteristics be protected by law? That would be fairer wouldn't it? Why is dyslexia protected by law, but height isn't? Both conditions you're born with but can do nothing about. I can't be a fireman, (correctly as I would be useless) is that discriminatory? Surely it is if youre arguing that a person who is dyslexic is discriminated against if they can't get an a* in English.

It seems wrong that a dyslexic student would be assessed on spelling. You wouldn't expect a physically disabled child to be marked on the 100m sprint.

It's not "less than perfect" characteristics that are protected under equality legislation, unless you think being gay, or a woman, or pregnant, makes you less than perfect too!

narcoleptic I mentioned earlier I have a disability. If I try and break into a trot my knees dislocate. If I had one leg I would like to think I’d have the option of running 100m competitively. But I can’t because I have a disability that prevents me running. OP’s daughter has a disability that prevents her getting a good grade in English. It’s crappy but sometimes themes the breaks.

I totally agree with OP that it shouldn’t be counted against her for university entry though. But adjusting exams to make people get a good grade in something they’re fundamentally useless at is ridiculous.

@NarcolepticOuchMouse
Exactly. Sort of. In your example the op would like the physically disabled child to compete in the 100m sprint and be marked up, to account for their disability.

It's a relevant part of written English (and therefore the exam format is a hurdle for dyslexics to overcome)- but Shakespeare didn't spell words the same all the time - maybe he was dyslexic....

Having to write often stifles a dyslexic's creativity. They use limited vocabulary in writing because to attempt to write words they know don't know how to spell is just too hard - If you ask them to tell you a story or if you ask them to write without worrying about the spelling it's a different matter.

However good they are at English their learning difficulty disadvantages them in the current exam format. Is that equality?

Depends on what you're testing. What's a geography and history exam for. To test whether you are a good geographer or historian - not whether you can spell.