Dyslexic exam waivers ‘too strict’

STUDENTS with dyslexia need wider access to exemptions that take account of their learning difficulties, a support group has claimed.

Almost 5,500 Junior and Leaving Certificate candidates received spelling and grammar waivers from the State Examinations Commission in 2006, where spelling or grammar mistakes were discounted because of a student’s dyslexia or other difficulty.

This number has almost doubled in four years, a sign of the greater recognition of learning difficulties and special education needs experienced by students.

The exemption can be awarded at the discretion of a student’s school for the Junior Cert, but Leaving Cert candidates must be assessed by an educational psychologist to qualify for a waiver.

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland believes, however, that the criteria used for the assessments is too strict to consider the different circumstances of each student.

“We have supported many students appealing a decision not to grant a waiver but in many cases, they have been just outside the criteria,” said DAI director of educational services Mary Ball.

A seminar on exam waivers, college applications and supports for students with dyslexia in third level was held by the association in Cork this week for students, parents and teacher.

Mary Byrne, a DAI branch committee member, said many parents feel it is unfair their child gets support of a waiver for Junior Cert but has to go through rigorous assessments for the same measure when they sit the Leaving Cert.

The Equality Authority has appealed a circuit court ruling last autumn which found the practice of putting a footnote at the end of Leaving Cert results sheets stating where candidates received spelling and grammar waivers was acceptable.