Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
574 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will describe and list the forms and nature of assistance provided in State examinations to students with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4266/09]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations.
I can inform the Deputy that the Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the certificate examinations. Applications for such accommodations are submitted by schools on behalf of their students.
A range of accommodations are provided to enable students with special needs to access the Certificate examinations. For example enlarged print, Braille translation, modified questions, use of a scribe, a reader, a personal assistant, a tape recorder or word processor, may be allowed depending on needs. The scheme was introduced following the report of an expert advisory group, and the introduction enabled opportunities to be provided for exemptions where a candidate was not in a position to demonstrate achievement in a core area of assessment.
I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission who will give you a more comprehensive reply.
