access arrangements in exams

[daireen]

My DD (ASD, Dsypraxia) is in Y9 and has just started GCSE options. The school brought in an 'assessor' (not sure who) to measure her need for special exam conditions.

For most written exams she is allowed a scribe, which is fine. But in exams where a scribe can't be used (eg ones that test spelling and grammar such as in English and French) has been recomended 25% extra time. I've read the documents and they suggest that if a scribe can't be used up to 50% time is possible. DD finds it really difficult to write, and uses an alphasmart in school most of the time.

Is only having the 25% in non-scribe exams usual? Has anyone had any experience of questionning/challenging this?

Yes, 25% is normal. Would you be better going for a transcribe rather than a scribe? A scribe writes down exactly what is said, with ums and ahs and warts and all. A transcribe copies out the child's work for them.

Thanks for the info, I'll ask about the transcribe, but I'm not sure anyone can read her handwriting!

YOu'd be surprised! There will be a member of staff in her school that can.

Also, a transcribe can ask the child what hard to read words say, soon after they have written them, giving them the best chance to remember.

Never heard of a transcribe.
My DS (Aspergers) had 25% extra time, which was adequate, a scribe and a private room. Why would 50% extra time help? DS would view that as just stretching out the process!

Transcribe does sound better, I'm going to ask.

Jandy -DD writes very very slowly and it is still often unreadable, so for exams that she has to write herself I wasn't sure 25% would be long enough.

If she uses an alpha smart all the time she should be eligible to use a computer in the exam. That would probably be better than extra time.....

You could ask what the asserors reasons were for allowing 25% rather than anything higher.

They might be able to point out something you haven't thought of. What usually happens in exams?

I'm in the process of sorting access arrangements for my ds who is home educated. All the info you need is on the Joint Council for Qualifications website - all exam centres have to follow their guidelines for access arrangements for candidates with additional needs.

As Indigo says, if she uses an Alphasmart in school then she should be eligible to use a computer as it reflects her 'normal way of working'. Check out the JCQ website (if you haven't already) and make yourself aware of what the possibilities are (don't take the assessor's word for it), then you will be better placed to argue her case with the school.

DS didn't get to use an Alphasmart in many exams. He either had to write himself or use a scribe. Does it depend on which exam board?