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Should Dyslexics get extra time?

13

Just like to throw this out for debate. Why should dyslexic people get xtra time. Now I understand the difficulties dyslexics have (my brother is one, as is a boy I tutor), but it seems unfair that they are treated differently.

The usual argument is low reading and writing speed. But I have an extremely fast reading speed, and I'm pretty fast at writing to, but I don't get less time. If time is going to be adjusted for exams, then it should affect everyone, not just one end of the scale. Also, most dyslexics seems to get 25% whether they are mildly dyslexic or heavily affected. This doesn't seem fair or equal.

Also, if we are giving dyslexics extra time, I can understand giving it in English. But why in many other subjects, such as maths, science and IT, which all require minimal reading?

Reply 1

adarklingplain

13

I do think dyslexics should be given extra time, but I don't think it should be a great deal more. Also - as you said - they might all be given the same amount of extra time even though some have it worse than others, which really isn't fair.

But then I suppose I read a lot faster than some of my friends (who aren't dyslexic), does that mean I should get less time?

The other day my friend got an extra 20 minutes (on top of the hour and a half we already had) for our English Language AS exam, when she'd BROKEN A FINGER on her left hand! She's right handed! It made me so mad. She said she needed the extra time because it was hard to turn the page with only one hand! For starters, it's not, plus you wouldn't need an extra 20 minutes, and for another thing - it was a 4 page booklet ¬.¬

Meh. I suppose I'm just jealous.

Reply 2

snorty_swirl

11

yea i guess they should if they really have problems... you will always have people who take advantage.. including me, i hav marfans so am allowed the 25% extra, can cope without it but it can be nice to have in english and history

Reply 3

Mush

17

I don't think they should get it. It doesn't help them anyway. My mate is dyslexic and this diet of exams was the first ones he was entitled to extra time, and he didn't take it. I'm sure his results will show a decent performence, and I doubt an extra half hour would have helped - 'cause for most of the exams he left before the full time had been up.

Reply 4

eulerwaswrong

13

i think it is incredibly unfair.

If someone has broken a hand, etc etc then yes they should be allowed more time

But dyslexics cant read/write/analyse information (there is no definitive definition - you look on websites and they say dyslexics cant interpret infomation well, handle information well, relay information well) I think this is part of who you are, all these factors make up intelligence - why should you give someone more time for exams - should you give someone with a lower IQ extra times, should you give people who havent revised more time, should you give those who do better in exams less time?

Reply 5

katied1990

5

I support extra time completely!

i get extra time but i'm not dyslexic i have something i'm not exactly sure what but it means that it takes me significantly longer to interpret and understand writen things! this is also apparantly quite common with some dsylexics!! it may not matter about reading speeds cause i can read fast but often don't understand/take in what i'm reading!

Reply 6

alex_hk90

19

The concept of giving dyslexic people extra time for exams has always been a little odd to me, similar to reducing the length of the marathon for asthmatic people.
But not being dyslexic myself and having very little knowledge on the subject, I can't really comment with any authority on whether they should get it or not.

Reply 7

Arowana123

7

katied1990

I support extra time completely!

i get extra time

No way should they get extra time. I'm not the fastest reader myself, but I still have to get on with it like everyone else. Sometimes an extra 15 mins can make all the difference. They don't give extra time for lack of intelligence, so why give extra time for dyslexia? It's pretty much the same thing anyway, a lack of basic intelligence required to read, diagnosed as a disability or disease.

Reply 8

Lulubelle*

9

I think the level of extra time given should be determined on the individual.

For my standard grades I had 50% extra time for Maths, English & Religous Studies and 33% for all the others. This is because of my Hypermobility Syndrome which particularly affects my hands and wrists, making it really difficult for me to write or type. For this reason, I was also given a Scribe for a few of them.

This year, for my highers, I have 33% for all of my exams, the use of a laptop and a scribe for a few papers. I refused the scribe this year though because I feel like I work better with a laptop (horrible experience with a scribe last year, resulted in my getting a 3).

I, particularly, like having the extra time because it means I don't have to over stress if my hands spasm, or it suddenly subluxes. I know there are exams that I may not need it for, but with Hypermobility Syndrome, I don't know what I'm going to be like until it happens.

Reply 9

doingmybest

14

I'm not dyslexic, but I totally agree that they should have extra time. Dyslexia isn't always the spelling and literacy either; it can affect mathematical skills too.

If they didn't get extra time, then it's like saying someone who can't walk shouldn't have a wheelchair! Seriously, not everybody is perfect - whatever that may be :smile:

Reply 10

Jenny_x

Yeah I agree. I'm dyslexic and get extra time but I only really need it for exams with essay type questions like english. It all depends on the dyslexic individual and what they need it for.

Reply 11

Arowana123

7

doingmybest

I'm not dyslexic, but I totally agree that they should have extra time. Dyslexia isn't always the spelling and literacy either; it can affect mathematical skills too.

If they didn't get extra time, then it's like saying someone who can't walk shouldn't have a wheelchair! Seriously, not everybody is perfect - whatever that may be :smile:

Yeah, not everyone has the best mathematical skills, thats why there is an A grade, a B grade, and a C grade, etc. Exams are there to differentiate between people who can't do it, and those who can, for whatever reason. If you have trouble writing, or a broken hand or something it's a different matter. But lacking the cognitive ability to do an exam, like not being able to read properly, shouldn't give you extra time.

Reply 12

tourist

9

Yes they should have extra time. I'd rather have a scheme where some people get an unfair advantage than have one where those who need it don't get one at all.

Reply 13

talon1579

OP

13

doingmybest

I'm not dyslexic, but I totally agree that they should have extra time. Dyslexia isn't always the spelling and literacy either; it can affect mathematical skills too.

If they didn't get extra time, then it's like saying someone who can't walk shouldn't have a wheelchair! Seriously, not everybody is perfect - whatever that may be :smile:

Ok, but walking isn't a competition, while exams are.

Put it this way. I'm not the worlds greatest runner. Should I get to run a track that's 25% shorter? No, because that would make the race unfair.

it may not matter about reading speeds cause i can read fast but often don't understand/take in what i'm reading!

Then you can't read fast, I'm afraid. If you're not taking in the information then you are not reading properly.

Yes they should have extra time. I'd rather have a scheme where some people get an unfair advantage than have one where those who need it don't get one at all

So you'd prefer that the majority of people lose out, then a minority of people do? Anyway, the only people who need it are those who cannot physically write what they want to say in time, as GCSEs are not a test of physical ability (except PE)

Reply 14

tom_tom_tom

18

I think i needs to be carefull looked at, instead of all dyslexics getting extra time

a dyslexic i know gets extra time on the face of it, it seems unfair he is clever and seems to do alright, however he has the reading age of a 12 year old, which i think is fair just due to the fact it takes him so long to read things, he needs the extra time.

hence the reason i think it needs to be carefully monitored!

Reply 15

Lulubelle*

9

Okayyy... does anyone think this is right?

Not long after I was told I would get extra time, a friend of mines also got extra time, not because she's dyslexic, she has never been diagnosed as this although she did try. Buuut, apparently she has difficulties transferring her ideas onto paper, but she was fine all through primary and the beginning of secondary.

Now, she is achieving grades that are beyond her, she is in no way a credit pupil; trust me, this girl is probably the most ridiculous person I have ever met. Her english teacher tried to go against the decision for her to get extra time and a scribe, as did a few of her other teachers but no one listened to them.

Her main problem in English is that she does not know what she needs to know; I have asked her about all of the basic things and her exact words were; "the scribe fills that bit in for me"

Does this seem fair? - Personally, I don't.

Reply 16

Reue

20

I honestly dont believe they should get extra time.

If a dyslexic person is unable to perform as well in the same time period as someone without dyslexia then this should be reflected in the results. Fact is that the modern business place requires people to be able to work quickly and efficiency. It's no good being in an office environment and constantly asking for 20% more time then everyone else to finish reports because your dyslexic, you will fall behind and ultimatly be fired.

I think exams are an aweful method of judging a persons ability, but they do give a rough indication of the amount of work someone is able to do is a specific timeframe. Giving slow people extra time completly destroys the point of this assessment.

I have very very slow handwriting, yet recieve no extra time. Why should dyslexic people get it when I dont?

Reply 17

Beccajh

talon1579

Just like to throw this out for debate. Why should dyslexic people get xtra time. Now I understand the difficulties dyslexics have (my brother is one, as is a boy I tutor), but it seems unfair that they are treated differently.

The usual argument is low reading and writing speed. But I have an extremely fast reading speed, and I'm pretty fast at writing to, but I don't get less time. If time is going to be adjusted for exams, then it should affect everyone, not just one end of the scale. Also, most dyslexics seems to get 25% whether they are mildly dyslexic or heavily affected. This doesn't seem fair or equal.

Also, if we are giving dyslexics extra time, I can understand giving it in English. But why in many other subjects, such as maths, science and IT, which all require minimal reading?

My sister is mildly dyslexic, it means she cannot spell very well and has bed handwriting, it does not mean she is stupid! However she had to do a test to assess her reading and writing capability and she did not qualify for extra time. The point I'm making is that they do not just hand out extra time left, right and centre, they give it to those who need it.

I would like to point out that there are many form of dyslexia. For example, a friend of my sister needs to have things on coloured paper because her brain does not cope with black on white. For some the letters just get mixed up. Someone's reading/writing speed does not affect how good someone is at a subjects, expecially sciency subjects. If someone broke their writing hand, you would expect them to get a laptop, a scribe or extra time, in the same way a dyslexic should get extra time if appropriate.

I get the feeling that some people seem to think if you can't write it must be because you're stupid. I am not saying that is never the case, but it is not always the case, and you shouldn't be ready to quash that person's future plans just because they have a minor disablility.

Reply 18

talon1579

OP

13

njds13

Yes dyslexics should definitely be given extra time , because they have a medical condition and so cannot act like any other normal human being. They didn't ask for it and all the rest of us need to understand their disability.
They can go to a normal school but I think it would be better for them to go to a school where they meet people just like them so that they all get treated equally good and don't feel that they have a disability and is different from a normal human being.

Where do you draw the line between medical condition and "being bad" at something?

I get the feeling that some people seem to think if you can't write it must be because you're stupid. I am not saying that is never the case, but it is not always the case, and you shouldn't be ready to quash that person's future plans just because they have a minor disablility.

I'm not saying stupid, but less able. As this guy said above:

It's no good being in an office environment and constantly asking for 20% more time then everyone else to finish reports because your dyslexic,

You have to live with what "god" gives you, the talents you are born with.

Reply 19

alex_hk90

19

Reue

I have very very slow handwriting, yet recieve no extra time. Why should dyslexic people get it when I dont?

I wouldn't be surprised if you could get extra time, a scribe or a laptop for your exams due to your slow handwriting.

Should Dyslexics get extra time?

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