ACT extended time-Anyone waiting to hear

<p>My S's application was sent by his school on Jan 30th for extended time for the June 9th ACT, and we still haven't heard from ACT as to whether it's been approved or not. Has anyone else gotten their accomodation request processed this spring? How long did it take?</p>

<p>S got extended time accommodations from the SAT College Board, and the process was so much faster. The LD coordinator at his high school called in early April and was told by the ACT folks that S's application was "still being processed." I figured they were trying to get through the applications for the kids taking the ACT in April. But now it's May, and we are inside of a month to go.</p>

<p>Is this typical?</p>

<p>Oh wow, when i took mine I’m sure it did not take that long. I think it took a few weeks. Then again i was homeschooled and the teacher that was handling it (it was an online school) got back to me rather quickly. I applyed for it when i took it the second time, perhaps it came back quicker because it was after the rush?</p>

<p>Is your son on a 504 Plan? If so, how long? He may not have a problem if it has been since freshman year. But if not, it may be difficult.</p>

<p>I think we waited about 3 weeks, but the school handled and sent all the psychiatrist reports and the IEP info, my son and I just needed to sign off…his dx dates back to first grade. Have you asked the school to call? I’m also not sure of the difference between a 504 and IEP…are they the same thing?</p>

<p>504 and IEP not the same thing, but similar. I don’t know enough about both to explain the difference though. Maybe someone more knowledgeable…</p>

<p>I know if the plan has not been in existence for sufficient length of time, accommodations could be denied by ACT.</p>

<p>OP here. S’s plan and accommodations have been in place for years, recent evals from 2 years ago sent, gets extended time at school, was granted extended time on SATs this spring, etc. The school did submit the stuff on Jan 30th (with the registration ticket for the June 9th ACT paid for by me), the school LD coordinator did call ACTs the first week in April. So, I think all our ducks our in a row. </p>

<p>We know they rec’d the stuff and they are processing it (that’s what the LD coordinator learned when she called the ACTs). I just don’t understand why it’s taking so long to process.</p>

<p>I think you will be fine then.</p>

<p>They don’t tell you or send you anything in the mail… they send an email to your kid. Ask him to check his inbox. You could have had it for months. That is what happened at our house. If not, call the number on the website. You can call them directly, just have your application info with you (and I think maybe we had registered her for a test, then made the request, so I had her original admission ticket in front of me when I called). They email a link to a new ticket if they decide to grant the time. They email to the kid with a learning disability who can’t put their name on their papers in 11th grade, let alone forward an important email… what do they THINK is going to happen?</p>

<p>Ours wasn’t an email, it was a regular paper copy mailed by snail mail, and we received it within 2 weeks. June is coming very quickly; I’d call them to check. I’d do it myself to verify the answer rather than having the gc do it.</p>

<p>College Board (SAT, APs, etc.) was snail mail at our house, ACT was email. Either way, you can call them yourself. His original admission ticket that you should have will be enough for them to find it.</p>

<p>Thanks, all. I will call them today.</p>

<p>I called ACT and a kind woman named Connie got my S’s application out of “Processing Purgatory”, got it approved, and voila, his new admission ticket appeared on the website with extended time granted. All within 20 minutes of my call. </p>

<p>The lesson is, keep calling, I guess.</p>

<p>So glad to know you got your answer! I do test accommodations consulting, and I hadn’t heard of anyone waiting that long for a decision (with the ACT anyway). My guess is perhaps they were inundated with applications and were evaluating them based on whose test was coming up first. I think on average the wait is around 6 weeks or so, so you were definitely well past that. Good news for your son.</p>

<p>Just as an aside-- a 504 plan gives accommodations because of limitations in a major life function. So 504 law covers not only giving a kid extra time because of ADHD, but accommodating a kid with asthma and building wheelchair ramps in a public stadium. An IEP is an individualized educational plan for a student in a school who has been determined to be special ed. It includes accommodations AND educational goals with a plan to accomplish them. There are a number of very specific laws that govern IEPs and a kid with an IEP doesn’t need a 504 while in school. Once a student exits secondary school, he/she would be covered only by 504 law.</p>