[SENco-forum] Access arrangements (was Extra Time for sats)

Now when she need this for her exams it will be taken away turning her

>>Now when she need this for her exams it will be taken away turning her
support into no more than a typewriter.<<
This is such a stupid imposition and when, oh when will the exam boards
get real?!
Way back in the 80's when technology was beginning to make an impact for
SEN learners, we were pleading with them to acknowledge that the
technology was as vital to a dysabled student as glasses are for those
with visual differences and no one makes the child who normally wears
glasses leave them at home for exams because 'they might see better'!
Cheers
Judith

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Judith Stansfield
Farm Cottage, 24 East Road, Melsonby,Richmond DL10 5NF
http://stass.web.onyxnet.co.uk  
01325 718139   07990572365
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-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of
SEN at tringham.net
Sent: 13 February 2008 11:20
To: Becta Senco
Subject: RE: [SENco-forum] Access arrangements (was Extra Time for sats)

I do not see that there should be a problem - extra time like any other
access arrangement requires assessment to prove need, as well as,
evidence of a prior history of need and suitable support. If schools
assessed and monitored handwriting speed yearly the same as spelling or
reading age there would not be a problem and those with difficulties
would be picked up and supported earlier.

One of my dilemmas as a teacher of handwriting is whether it is best to
move a child who is writing in the bottom 10% for speed upwards by
proper instruction and practise, or, whether to leave them there in
order to be able to have additional time.  By improving their speed a
little I might be putting them in a worse position than their peers with
average writing speed.

On another related tack -

My concern is for my daughter (severe dyslexia/Statemented) who although
she gets up to 25% of extra time is not allowed to use her TextHELP
screen reader/talking spellchecker that is her normal way of working.
Without these she is stuffed.  A reader/scribe is not her normal way of
working as the BECTA supplied equipment made her an independent learner
and able to access the curriculum as her peers. 

Sharon

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