Extra time on Leaving Cert for dyslexic students ‘not an unfair advantage’

Giving dyslexic students more time for Leaving Certificate exams does not give them an “unfair advantage”, campaigners say.

The National Examinations Commission (SEC) has warned that giving dyslexic students more time during exams could have “unintended consequences”.

SEC chief Andrea Feeney said some students could “use” the extra time to “gain an advantage,” clarifying that she is not talking about students with “special educational needs.”

Rosie Bissett, CEO of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, said the group was “very disappointed” with the SEC’s response.

“It shows that they really lack understanding of the complexity and importance of dyslexia for students,” she said. Newspaper breakfast.

She noted that other countries and Irish universities offer dyslexic students extra time for exams.

“Why is it impossible to imagine doing this for our second level students? ” she says.

Dyslexic students at the end of their certification currently have access to a scribe, a laptop and a reader.

They can also benefit from the DARE program which reduces the number of points required for CAD courses.

Ms. Bissett, however, emphasized that these services are rarer than one might imagine.

“We are far from a situation where things are tilted in favor of people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties,” she said.

“Only a small number of students are eligible for the DARE program for third level.

“There is nothing in our education system that allows all dyslexic students to be eligible – you have to have achieved a high level to get it. »

Help for dyslexic students

Countries that provide more time for dyslexic students also offer scribes, laptops and readers, according to Ms. Bissett.

She also pointed out that most students do not benefit from a scribe or reader and only receive a spelling and grammar waiver during language exams.

The activist said the SEC has an “obligation” to make the exams more accessible.

“Certainly, (in) the language … it almost implies that you’re trying to win the system,” she said.

“People are just trying to level the playing field for them. »

A petition aimed at introducing timetable arrangements for dyslexic students currently has 30,000 signatures.

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