Exams for Special Education students

Students are encouraged to complete all unit assignments or projects in each module before writing the Unit Exam.

VLN Exam Adaptations Policy

Students in BC may be eligible for exam adaptations in their regular courses as well as for provincial exams providing they have recent documentation supporting their request. A recent neuropsychological assessment (Psyche Ed.), current doctor’s note, other form of official documentation will be considered. Provincial exam adjudication and administration is the responsibility of the student’s home school (school of record).

Procedure to book an exam requiring adaptations

Students requiring adaptations must be approved by the special education teacher or special education counselor. They provide logistical support for all adaptation including supervision.

VLN is the only exam site where those writing exams may have exam adaptations. Dates and times must be booked directly with the special education teacher or the special education counselor.

Adaptations provided at VLN

*** Specific adaptations must be recommended within the student’s learning assessment***

• Extra time: An additional 1.5 x the prescribed test time. Eg.., 3 hour exams would have an additional one hour and 30 minutes. Thus, total time could not exceed four hours and 30 minutes total time. Students requiring extra time must begin their tests at 10:00 AM so to finish before the school closes.
• Separate setting. Separate setting is provided in either a small office space or a larger computer lab that has partitions between students. Students will be supervised by a teacher throughout their test period.
• Word Processing and Spell checker. VLN has both Windows and Mac operating systems with Word and Open Office word processing programs. Spell checkers are disallowed unless recommended in the student's learning assessment.
• Reader for student / Text-to-speech: A reader will be provided to the student. A student may also use the Natural Reader Text-to-speech program. Previous training is required.
• Scribe for student / Text-to-speech: A scribe will be provided to the student. A student may also use Dragon Natural Speaker 8 Text-to-speech program. Previous training is required.
• Others

Note: Requests for adaptations for provincial examinations are completed by the school of record (the school where the majority of classes are taken) through formal application for adjudication. Students must notify either the special education teacher or special education counselor two months prior to their anticipated provincial examination test date to begin the application process to the BC Ministry of Education.