Ahead of the start of Dyslexia Awareness Month in October, Dyslexia Ireland said young people with dyslexia are “hugely disadvantaged” without extra time and they are left “unable to fully demonstrate their knowledge and ability”.
In a statement the group said the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and Department of Education “are dragging their feet”, after an expert advisory group recommended extra time being brought in for students with additional needs in 2008.
Ben, a Junior Cycle student with dyslexia, said: “I need extra time in exams because it takes longer to read the questions and write out the answers, because I’m a slow reader and writer.”
Karen, a parent with two dyslexic children, said extra time is “vital” to allow her children to show their full potential.
“My children, 11 and 14 years old, take longer to read, process and respond to written information. So extra time will go some way to allow them achieve what their non dyslexic peers can,” she said.
Earlier this year the SEC said it would carry out a review of reasonable accommodations for state exams and extra time for students with additional needs would be considered as part of the review, which is expected to take two to three years.
Dyslexia Ireland said extra time for dyslexic students is the norm at second level in other European countries and at third level in Ireland.
”Urgent action is needed now on the issue of introducing extra time in second-level examinations for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties,” Dyslexia Ireland CEO Rosie Bissett said.
“We are calling on Minister Foley and the Department of Education to show leadership on this issue and bring Ireland into line with standard international practice in relation to the reasonable accommodation of extra time.
“While the State Examinations Commission has promised a review, their timeline for the review process is worryingly long. Each year that passes without extra time, thousands of students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties will struggle in exams.
“The lack of extra time is a huge disadvantage and barrier for dyslexic students in second level examinations. The introduction of extra time as a reasonable accommodation would enable dyslexic students to reach their potential in these crucial exams.”
