Exam changes may benefit special needs students

CHANGES could be made to the way students with special needs provide answers at Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate and how their result sheets are marked.

An advisory group set up by the State Examinations Commission in January is examining the system of reasonable accommodations to help students overcome disabilities or special needs. It met students, parents, teachers and other interested groups for consultations this week.

The facilities currently offered include provision of a reader or a scribe to write exam answers, and waivers on spelling or grammar for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia.