Leveling the Playing Field:Accommodations for

Students with Specific Learning Disability

Kate CurrawallaMaharashtra Dyslexia Association

 

WHY DO STUDENTS WITH SLD NEED

ACCOMMODATIONS???

PROVISIONS

Government of Maharashtra School Education and Sports Department

Government Resolution No. SSP 2006/(231/06)Prashi5.

7th September 2006

PROVISIONS SSC (UPTO STD X)  

• 25% extra time

• Oral Test along with the written examination for Standard I to IX.Promotion to next class on the basis of the Average

• Scribe/typewriter

• Question papers to be read out

• Exemption from one language other than English

PROVISIONS SSC………

Arithmetic Standard I to IV – errors of interchanging of computation signs and number reversal to be ignored Arithmetic of Standard V in Standard V & VI Arithmetic of Standard VI in Standard VII & VIII Arithmetic of Standard VII in Standard IX & X

ICSE & CBSE students of Standard IX and X can choose to take exemption from Mathematics.

 PROVISIONS SSC…….  

• Spelling errors and incorrect sentence construction to be ignored.

• Errors in respect of showing directions in Geography to be ignored.

• Students between Standard I & X exempted from drawing diagrams, graphs, maps and charts. Marks for such questions proportionately distributed to the other questions or students to be provided with supplementary questions.

 PROVISIONS SSC……  

•20% consolidated grace marks in one or more subjects

•Students are permitted to write in ordinary print

•Exempted from having to write answers in detail during exams

•Physiology & Hygiene in lieu of Science

Details available on the government website www.maharashtra.gov.in

Computer code number 20060907162939001.

It is important to apply these provisions in spirit and not just to the letter!

– Understand the nature of difficulties faced by an individual student

– Recognise strengths and build on them

– Use innovative strategies that may not be mandated

PROVISIONS – ICSE (STD X)

•Exemption from 2nd Language ??? •Extra time – 15 minutes per hour 45 minutes for a 2 ½ hours paper

•Amanuensis / Computer

•Question papers to be read out to the student.

•Use of a calculator for any calculations in certain cases. (Maths & Science are optional subjects)

PROVISIONS (CBSE)

•Amanuensis

•Additional 1 hour time for each paper

•English & any four of the following subjects• Mathematics• Science• Social Science• Another Language• Music• Painting• Home Science• Introductory Information Technology

PROVISIONS AT

HSC EXAMINATIONS

Provisions at H.S.C. Examinations

•Extra Time: One Hour

•Option of Vocational subjects instead of second language

•Use of amanuensis, if required.

•Calculator for Math in all streams & Book-Keeping and Accountancy, Commerce Stream in cases of Dyscalculia

Educational Testing Service Policy,

Effective November 1, 2005.

ETS Accommodations

Some accommodations that may be approved include:

ETS Computer-Based Testing

Extended testing time (all tests are timed)

Additional rest breaks

Reader

Recorder / writer of answers

Selectable background and foreground colours

Alternate test formats:

Audio recording

Large print

ETS Computer-Based Testing……

The following may be made available to those familiar with their use:

Kensington Trackball mouse

HeadMasterTM Plus mouse

IntelliKeys® keyboard

Keyboard with touchpad

Magnifying Text on Computer Screens

Paper-based Tests

Extended testing time (all tests are timed)

Additional rest breaks

Writer / recorder of answers

Reader

Large print question paper

Large-print answer sheet

Audio recording

Audio recording with large-print figure supplement

When and why should a student drop a language?

Students with significant language difficulties benefit from concentrating on a single language.

Students can ideally attend class/give oral tests or study a reduced portion.

Dropping a language in the higher classes allows student to focus on core subjects.

Should LD students drop Mathematics?

• Higher thinking skills / mathematics can be a gateway to higher education.

• Many vocational courses require basic mathematical skills (up to std. X or XII)

• Universities abroad do require a foundation in mathematics, but there are ways to fulfill this requirement later.

In determining what provisions to access, it is important to consider:

• Future career options

• Nature of the student’s difficulties

• Training the student to derive the maximum benefit from provisions such as extra time or use of a reader.

“Let no child be demeaned, nor have his wonder diminished,

becauseof our ignorance or inactivity. Let no child be deprived of discoverbecause we lack the resources to

discover his problem. Let no child ever doubt himself or his

mindbecause we are unsure of our

commitment.”

National Center for Learning Disabilities