My 8th grader has to take the PSAT on Tuesday. I have known about this testing for months, and, while I wish the school were not testing, I did not write a letter to have my son exempted. In Texas, the kids take a lot of tests.
Late Friday, I received an email from the school telling me his room assignment for testing as well as the accomodations he would receive: Extended Time and Reminder to Stay on Task. I was given the opportunity to request accomodations last September and did not do so for two reasons: I wanted to see how he does under normal time testing conditions and I was worried that he might get irritated if the test drags on too long. But the school asked for accomodations anyway.
The test will take place from 8:30-12:35 on Tuesday.
My question is does anyone know if the Extended Time testing will go beyond the 4 hours already allotted? Can the kids go at their own speed? Or is the extra time enforced per section? I will contact the school tomorrow, but I have little time to react.
A little background…my son is dyslexic with a 504 Plan. He is very bright and takes all offered pre-AP classes. His grades are OK but do not reflect his knowledge; although, his grades have really improved this semester. He is provided with accomodations but until very recently has not advocated for himself (I was very happy when he asked his Latin teacher if he could mark on the test and not use the 40 question scantron.) IMO the school is lax about enforcing 504 Plan accomodations, and his primary accomodation has been preferential seating.
I am a bit test weary as I have a DS16, so I have not really thought much about this PSAT.