Special Assessment Conditions

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has a very formal process for approving special conditions (SAC) for NCEA assessment. It is also has very detailed rules around how the SAC assistance is delivered. It does not however fund the time required for the reader/writers required to meet many of these conditions. NZQA provides reader/writers for the end of year external examination which it runs, but does not provide them for the mock exams at school which are the backup plan if a student is sick on the examination day.

With the number of students getting SAC assistance, increasing from less than 1% to more 15% in some classes, we have found ourselves unable to provide the level of voluntary assistance required in examination settings. To be fair and transparent with the process we charge $30 per hour when we have to employ a reader/writer for key external assessments such as mock exams. 

As always, if this would cause financial hardship, application should be made to the principal for financial assistance.

There are some times when internal assessments also need support, however as a College we are working to reduce the need for reader/writers. To help further support students, the school has software that enables SAC students to have their assessment tasks read to them via computer.  The students involved simply require a basic set of ear phones, a pen-drive and use of their own or school laptop or PC. This helps with the process in a seamless way and allows the student to remain within the class throughout the assessment as opposed to being segregated to an alternative venue.

We are trying to be as inclusive as possible, while keeping the cost to a minimum for caregivers.