The range of special arrangements available to students with specific learning difficulties in the 1999 certificate examinations will be the same as those granted in 1998.
It is not the case that any concessions are being withdrawn for the 1999 certificate examinations as students with specific learning difficulties will continue to have their work marked in accordance with the marking schemes for the various subjects. For any one subject, a common marking scheme is applied to the work of all candidates taking the subject, regardless of whether the candidate has a specific learning difficulty or physical impairment which might cause difficulties with the presentation and ultimate readability of material presented for examination. To operate separate marking schemes would, in essence, amount to providing alternative examinations with separate certification for students with specific learning difficulties.
The range of special arrangements granted to candidates with specific learning difficulties are for the purpose of ensuring as far as is practicable that a student with a specific learning difficulty is given every chance to demonstrate his-her ability at the examination. These arrangements are granted on a case by case basis depending on the evidence provided in support of the application and include the use of taperecorders, readers and scribes. Students who are dissatisfied with the arrangements proposed have access to an appeal process.
Furthermore, where a concern has been expressed regarding the readability of material, this traditionally has been brought to the attention of the individual examiner. However, in the event of an examiner encountering difficulty in reading the script, the examiner is instructed to send the answerbook to his or her supervising examiner. This is to ensure that, notwithstanding any presentational or readability difficulties, every effort is made by the examiner or supervising examiner to ensure that the candidate is given full credit for all work done.
This year my Department has moved to strengthen this arrangement by instructing all examiners who have a difficulty in accessing the information given by a candidate to refer the script to their supervising examiner. The intention is to ensure that problems with readability, whether or not brought to the attention of the Department, are dealt with by the examiner and that no candidate is disadvantaged.
I want to assure the Deputy that examiners will continue to make every effort to ensure that full credit is given for work presented and, in 1999, examiners will, as in previous years, be required to apply the agreed marking schemes consistently to all candidates in order to ensure equity and fairness.
