Modified Exams/ Special Provisions
Last modified 6/5/2013
Rationale
Throughout the school, but particularly in secondary, exams and tests can cause extreme distress for some of our students who struggle with the academic demands of schooling. We do not wish to drop our standards, but at the same time we need to be careful that our expectations are realistic and not causing some of our students to be exasperated. To help address this issue, staff may modify the tests for students who would benefit from such support. Such support could include:
- some extra time;
- some clues written in the margin
- selected questions that they don't have to answer;
- An essay outline included with the exam paper;
- Other appropriate support;
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Special Provisions may include:
- Reader
- Writer
- Extra time
- Large print
- Coloured paper
The Process- Years 7 -10
By the end of week 8 in term 1, the SLAMS teacher will provide to the Secondary Co-ordinator a list of the names and subjects for students s/he would recommend for a modified exam. Secondary staff then look at this and make additions, negotiate modifications, at the first staff meeting in term 2.
Parents are informed by the SLAMS staff under the direction of the relevant co-ordinator.
By week 4 the students sitting modified exams/ special provisions will be "locked in".
This process will mean that teachers will not be delivering surprises in the reports and that they will not feel compelled to personally contact parents - it is unreasonable to ask a single teacher to contact parents and it is also unreasonable for some parents to be contacted by 8 different teachers with the same message!
Year 7 - 10 Reports
When writing reports, students who have sat modified exams will have that noted in the comment box. There are to be no other modifications to reports apart from this.
The Process- Years 11 & 12
Because of the links between Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) assessment and the Higher School certificate, modified exams come under the category of Special provisions.
Special Provisions for Students in Years 11 & 12 are managed in accordance with the BOS Policies and Procedures. Further information can be found in the policy on Secondary Exams.
Policies 
