Reader-writer rethink

Press, 14 May 1981, Page 4

Reader-writer rethink

Trade students sitting ex- 4 aminations who have difficulty reading and writing will after all, be given the help of readers or writers for their annual examinations this year. The assistance had been withdrawn by the examining authority, the Trades Certification Board, on the ground that the candidates experi encing difficulties could be gaining an advantage over others. After examining the 1980

# technical institute results, the board announced that it had no satisfactory basis for the giving or refusing of assistance and therefore decided that no assistance should be given in the future until detailed research had been carried out. The board’s secretary, Mr F. R. Torrance, said then that the board was seeking opinion from industry, and other appropriate organisations, and was seeking an investigation by the Council

lor Educational Research about the appropriate level of reading and writing required by industry. At a conference of Speld (Specific Learning Difficulties’ Association) last evening, the national president, Mr Frank Gair, said he had been informed by Mr Torrance that the board had rescinded its previous motion not to allow help in examinations. He was told a letter would be sent to Speld, confirming the decision.