The government has acknowledged that their plans to revise GCSEs may put SEN students at a disadvantage. See this report in TES.

Dig-iT participated in the public consultation on GCSE changes and we stated that the plans would disproportionately affect those with dyslexia negatively.

Unfortunately,  we feel that the 'reasonable adjustments' to compensate will be insufficient. So we will continue to lobby educational policy makers to implement 'dyslexia-friendly' assessment methods that recognise that all students - in fact -  learn in different ways and that assessment methods should reflect this.

The government is proposing to scrap GCSEs in favour of the English Baccalaureat, which will almost entirely wipe out the number of creative / design-based subjects that children can study and will rely almost exclusively on a final written exam at the end of the two year course.

This means a return to old O Level style exams which had a devastating effect on dyslexic students who find great difficulty in showing their knowledge and understanding in written form under timed exam conditions.

We probably all have family and friends who left school without qualifications directly because of this type of assessment, and some of us may have experienced this ourselves. The effects go beyond the individual - it excludes many otherwise bright individuals from pursuing their chosen career, with devastating results on self-esteem and economic opportunities and choices for further education.  Others may find it hard to find work at all, which of course places a burden on the welfare system.

Dig-iT is very worried about these proposals and feel that parents should have the opportunity to make their voices heard.  There is a way we can do it! 

Although it hasn't been publicised very much, the government is actually conducting a 'consultation' on the proposals.  Dig-iT would strongly urge you to take part in this consultation.  The deadline is 10th December 2012.  Click here for a link to the forms.

As many of us dislike filling in forms, Dig-iT is happy to assist you with this process if you wish to take part. Please see our Contact Us page.