Dyslexia Ireland is asking TDs and Senators to publicly pledge support for the urgent introduction of extra time for dyslexic students in Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate exams in Ireland.
This Dyslexia Awareness Month (October 2024), Dyslexia Ireland is highlighting the "urgent need" for this "reasonable accommodation".
Each year that passes without extra time, dyslexic young people are hugely disadvantaged, running out of time in their exams, leaving them unable to fully demonstrate their knowledge and ability, the society said.
Dyslexia Ireland said the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the Department of Education are "dragging their feet on this issue".
Despite a recommendation from an expert advisory group in 2008 to introduce extra time for students with additional needs, and years of advocacy by Dyslexia Ireland, the SEC has only recently committed to a review over the coming two to three years.
The introduction of extra time would be hugely impactful for the thousands of dyslexic young people in Ireland who struggle through exams each year, Dyslexia Ireland said.
In other European countries, and internationally, the society said extra time in exams is the norm at second level, and also the norm in third level in Ireland.
Karen, a parent, said the accommodation of extra time in state exams 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.
Chief executive of Dyslexia Ireland, Rosie Bissett, said: "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.
"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 (two-three years minimum).
"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.”
Ben, a Junior Cycle student, 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.”
Dyslexia is a learning difference that causes difficulties with reading and spelling; it affects one in 10. These difficulties are exacerbated under time pressure, Dyslexia Ireland said.
