Special assessment conditions - annual needs analysis

The Assessment and Examination Rules require schools to review annually the effectiveness of the support provided and make appropriate decisions about the number and nature of standards to be assessed. This needs analysis will help schools determine whether it is in the best interests of the candidate to continue with the special assessment conditions (SAC) previously offered, or whether changes should be made.

Suggestions for the needs analysis are:

• Re-reading the independent assessor's report and checking if recommendations suggested there have ameliorated the disability.
• Results of timed tests.
• Written comments from teachers/parents/aide. How well does the student work with a reader/writer? How does the student achieve with the use of the SAC provided?
• SAC use in class.
• SAC use in internal assessments.
• SAC use in exams: the ECM provides Examination Assistants' feedback on the use candidates made of their SAC.
• Student interview:What amendments does the student want to make? E.g. Would extra time adequately replace the reader and/or writer assistance? Would the student prefer a laptop to a writer?