So, I know this guy(africa american) that is getting triple time on the ACT, because he has a hearing problem. He is deaf in one ear but, has a cochlear implant to help him hear, and actually can hear pretty well. How can he get extra time when hearing has nothing to do with the ACT? Why would ACT grant him this much time?
He's probably on an IEP which calls for extra time during his normal classroom tests. If he actually uses that accomodation during his normal class tests, ACT and SAT will give him additional time.
Well, the tests we usually take at school aren't really "timed". But, there is one teacher that gives him the test as a study guide. I think you might be right about the IEP. But, it is just crazy to me how much extra time he gets when it is not a test related issue.
This thread has become a landmine. I agree that with the way you've presented the facts, it hardly seems fair that he got so much extra time for a disability that doesn't appear to affect his performance. On a *side* note, I also find it interesting that you would mention his race. In our beautiful country of unconsciously perfect racial equality, race is not something one could unobjectively favor.
As a parent of a child with a cochlear implant, I have to say, triple time seems excessive and it most certainly isn't granted based on a hearing disability. Perhaps there is more to this student than meets the eye - he could have a learning disorder, slow processing, ADHD, etc. Many students don't "advertise" these invisible disabilities. The OP seems to be a bit too concerned with what she is viewing as an unfair advantage of her peer, whereas extra time and other accommodations are to help even the playing field for students with disabilities.
