Exam Access Arrangements at a Hampshire 6th Form College

Angela DawesQueen Mary’s College, Basingstoke

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Me, writing

AA reports

Who am I, and what do I do?

• Angela Dawes– Specialist dyslexia assessor and teacher

• Qualifications– PATOSS practising certificate

• Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties

– AMBDA • Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association

– MA in Education– PGCE & BA

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Why have exam arrangements?• Communicate Ed:

– For candidates with the required knowledge, understanding and skills, who are unable to demonstrate these in an assessment due to a difficulty or disability

– The arrangement(s) should reflect what help is usually given to the candidate in the centre and the normal way of working should reflect what will be available in the exam

• Dyslexia: Assessing the need for Access Arrangements during Examinations:– They exist to provide reasonable adjustments to allow equality

of access to assessment in education. They aim simply to allow candidates the opportunity ‘to show what they know or can do without changing the demands of the assessment’.

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What are the changes to Access Arrangements this year?

• For 25% extra time, you now need a below average score on an assessment of – reading speed– reading comprehension– free writing, or – cognitive processing

• except in very exceptional circumstances when a low average score (85-89) might be acceptable with further evidence

• http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/files/Extra%20Time%20FAQs.pdf

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What exam arrangements do we typically grant at QMC?

• Extra time (of 10%, 25%, 50%)• Use of a pc• Use of a reader• Opportunity for rest breaks• Opportunity to read aloud• Use of a scribe• Use of a prompter• Modified papers (size of font, colour of paper)• Use of a practical assistant

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Exam arrangement statistics for QMC

• Number of students at 1st year QMC 1200• Assessment figures for this year 2011-12 – for exam arrangements this year 109 – Those who had extra time 98– Those who had a pc 33– Those who had a reader 29– Those who had a scribe 16

– Those who were in a separate rooms due to Reader, Scribe or other issues 40

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What skills do we assess, and what are the main tests that we use?

• Beginning a questionnaire, a selection of the following:– Handwriting (DASH)– Timed essay (20 min)– Spelling ability (WRAT4)– Ability to process information (CTOPP)– Reading comprehension (WRATE)– Reading accuracy (WRAT4) – Memory (Digit Memory)

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How are we going to assess next year?

• ‘Time efficient solution for assessments for exam access arrangements’

• Meets JCQ requirements • Provides precise standardised assessment of:– Word recognition/reading accuracy – Reading comprehension – Reading speed – Spelling – Writing to dictation – Keyboarding to dictation

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How do we record test results and evidence?

• Form 8 for arrangements that need specific application eg, reader, scribe

• Our own version to record for extra time, use of a computer etc

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http://www.jcq.org.uk-Exams Office / Access Arrangements & Special Consideration / Forms

Form 8 for arrangements that need specific application eg, reader, scribe 12

Our report for documenting evidence for exam arrangements other than Reader & Scribe

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How do we do screen for SpLD?

• Computerised screening for adults (15+) experiencing literacy difficulties or learning problems

• 5 tests address cognitive skills typically weak in people with dyslexia– Non verbal– Verbal reasoning– Word recognition– Word construction– Working memory

• Tests take 5 mins each, 20-40 minutes total, – Immediate results

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Verbal Reasoning Non Verbal Reasoning

Word Construction Working MemoryWord Construction15

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What other assessments do we give for a full dyslexia assessment?

Previous assessments, plus selection of additional tests:

• Reading real and non words at speed (TOWRE)• Phonological processing (CTOPP)• Underlying ability (WRIT)• Receptive vocabulary (PPVT)• Memory (WRAML)

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What qualifications do you need to assess for access arrangements?

• A Specialist teacher, must:– be able to teach & assess secondary aged or

adult learners who have learning difficulties – have knowledge & skill to carry out assessments

in support of applications for access arrangements – understand current JCQ publication document– be familiar with Equality Act 2010 – understand & use nationally standardised tests– be trained in & have experience of objective

administration of attainment tests – know when to refer candidate to an EP

JCQ Regulations ‘Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration 18

Useful courses for assessing for AAs

http://www.communicate-ed.org.uk/ http://www.realtraining.co.uk/

http://www.patoss-dyslexia.org/eventspage.html http://training.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/

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What qualifications do you need to write DSA reports?

• SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate– For specialist teachers who have • followed an identified course of study • can demonstrate knowledge and competence • in both SpLD and assessment

– Must be renewed every 3 years• SpLD CPD Log (Must demonstrate regularly updated

professional skills and competence through study, professional discussion, training and practice)• Diagnostic Assessment report (annonymised)

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Where are the guidelines for writing DSA reports?

• Strict guidelines about– Suitable tests to use (Test Guidelines)– Layout of the report (DSA report proforma)

• Available from websites – http://www.patoss-dyslexia.org/DSA2.html– http://www.sasc.org.uk

(SpLD Assessment Standards Committee)• Course– Diagnostic Assessment: Renewing your Assessment

Practising Certificate (Patoss)

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Useful publications for exam arrangements

Fourth Edition- Completely Revised and Updated - replaces all earlier editions Dyslexia: Assessing the need for Access Arrangements during Examinations A Practical Guide Fourth Edition ISBN 0 - 9539315 - 4 - 4

edited by Anwen Jones

This Fourth Edition, published in association with the Joint Council for Qualifications, is completely revised to bring you up-to-date with the latest JCQ Regulations and replaces all earlier editions of this valuable book.

Fully updated to reflect Access Arrangements Online Important new guidance on arrangements for extra time Additional guidance for FE Detailed timetable and guidance for SENCOsAn essential resource for anyone involved in providing access arrangements for students with SpLDs.

Available from - Patoss - Amazon

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Useful publications for exam arrangements

http://www.jcq.org.uk-Top Ten Publications- Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration

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• The new app from Pearson (ipad, iphone)

And finally . . . for assessors . . .

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