Daughter getting reassed for dyslexia

[Youwillneverwalkalone12]

So my eldest got tested for dyslexia by an EP in late year 8, she is In year nine and will be year 10 in September.
She also did the dyslexia screening in year 7.

Now her GCSEs are approaching the school need to figure out what she qualifys for her GSCE ie a scribe/ reader.

It pees me off because I have to fork out for another assessment!
AIBU to think schools should pay for this, for what does our tax goes to?

Why are you paying? What was the outcome of her previous assessment?

@tigerbreadaddict I was simpily told I had to pay as it is private. And the outcome was she Is severely dyslexic

I’m confused check with your assessor. I think if your daughters assessor holds the correct qualifications then there is no need for another assessment.

If she has a diagnosis of dyslexia, she shouldn't need another one. If, however, she was only screened for risk of dyslexia, then she doesn't have a formal diagnosis.

My knowledge might be out of date now but it used to be the case that an assessment had to be dated within 2 years of the exams - this was a requirement of the JCQ.

JCQ regulations state that for assessments to be valid they have to have been completed no earlier than year 9. The previous assessment can be used as part of painting the picture of need for the Form 8.
Schools should be able to carry out their own assessments. If it is a fee paying school then you will probably have to pay. A full assessment would not be required. In addition to this school have to show that this is the student's normal way of working eg they use a reader and scribe in all exams.

I also think that according to JCQ rules, assessment has to be within 2 years of the exam. But if it’s done before spring term in year 10 it will cover any retakes after the exams in year 11.
When I was a SENCo, I held qualifications to do the assessment at no cost to the parents. I’m surprised that this can no longer be done at the schools expense, via EP or specialist teacher.

I’m a dyslexia teacher and yes - for examination purposes the assessment has to be within two years.

A dyslexia assessment costs a lot of money because they can only be done by an Ed Psych or a dyslexia specialist assessor who is normally a teacher with degree and PGCE and trained to PG Dip level in dyslexia.

It’s frustrating but the rules are not made by the schools.

If it is a state school though the parents should not be asked to pay.

Not all dyslexia teachers are qualified to assess and this is often why it can’t be done ‘in house’ so to speak. The qualification to assess is now a PG Dip costing around £5000 so lots of dyslexia teachers and sendcos like me can not afford to do it.

Here are the JCQ requirements

www.jcq.org.uk/Download/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance/access-arrangements-and-reasonable-adjustments-2019-20

They stipulate that the assessment/evidence should be "current" but don't define a time period. If the circumstances and need has not changed then the assessment is current.

The only time period mentioned in the guidelines is that an access arrangement can only be agreed for a period of 26 month max after which point a new access arrangement request must be made.

I work in a field where access arrangements are granted for tests and we accept Assessment reports completed after the candidate turned 12 with no expiry as by the age of 12 the assessments used are able to more accurately determine if a learning need is present.

The only assessments we ask to be more regularly repeated are for physical access impairments that have a recovery period so 2 years down the line they could potentially be fully recovered with full physical mobility for example.

JCQ 5.2.2 says that the assessment for an SpLd should be at the beginning of year 9 at the earliest.

^5.2.2
In order to award 25% extra time the SENCo must determine the needs of the candidate based on one of the following documents:
• a current Statement of Special Educational Needs, or an Education, Health and Care Plan, or an Individual Development Plan, which confirms the candidate’s disability (see pages 23 and 26 for the required centre based evidence); or
• an assessment (Part 2 of Form 8) carried out no earlier than the start of Year 9 by an assessor confirming a learning difficulty relating to secondary/further education.^

Does your daughter have a statement of special education needs or an EHCP or an Individual Development Plan?

If you read section 7, the assessment referred to (form 8) should be completed by an assessor employed by the exam centre, so why are the school pushing you to get this completed privately?

^7.3.5 The assessor should ideally be employed within the centre. Alternatively, the assessor is:
• employed at another centre, e.g. within an Academy chain; or
• employed by the Local Authority; or
• an external assessor who has an established working relationship with the centre or, before an assessment, establishes a relationship with the centre.^

You do not require the same for a Reader though as per your OP, just a letter from the SENCO - 5.5.5

^Computer reader/reader
Types of disability or access needs
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Learning Difficulties
Sensory and/or Physical Needs (HI, MSI, PD, VI) Social, Mental and Emotional Needs (e.g. ADD, ADHD) Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
Evidence of need for all types of disability
5.5.5
The SENCo must produce a short concise file note on centre headed paper, signed and dated, confirming the nature of the candidate’s impairment and that the use of a computer reader
and/or a reader reflects his/her normal and current way of working within the centre.
For candidates with learning difficulties assessment evidence and Form 8 is no longer required.
However, the SENCo must be satisfied that:
• the candidate has an impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect, giving rise to persistent and significant reading difficulties; and
(The candidate is disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act.) • there is a genuine need for the arrangement.

A computer reader/reader will be awarded on account of:
• cognition and learning needs;
• communication and interaction needs;
• a medical condition;
• sensory and physical needs;
• social, mental and emotional needs.^

Thank you everyone, I have filled my mind so now I understand what my daughter will qualify for. Sorry if I have missed any questions but I am kinda busy.