Extra Time on ACT w/o IEP

<p>My son was on an IP from 5th through 9th grade due to various learning issues, including mild dyslexia and working memory issues. He was taken off of the the IEP when he started high school as he was earning Bs in his classes. He has continued to earn Bs and Cs in high school, but is struggling with standardized tests such as the ACT due to his reading and memory issues. We have had him tutored, but are considering having him retested privately for learning issues. If the tester recommends extra time on the ACT do we have a chance of having a request for extra time granted where son is no longer on an IEP? From what I have read being on an IEP is an important factor in being allowed extra time. We really don't see a benefit to having son put back on an IEP as the school provided little support. He is a rising senior.</p>

<p>I would suggest you look at the act.org section on disability. My understanding is that extended time is granted if the testing finding match the accomodations and accomodations are being used at school; if he gets informal accommodations those teachers can verify this be supplying a letter to the fact.
Your school should have either a test coordinator or designated disability coordinator, I would in quire about this to them. </p>

<p>The fact that he does not have an active IEP in school will hurt him, but he does have a paper trail with a diagnosis going back some years so his chances are better than others in this situation. I would definitely recommend having him retested, since the ACT likes recent testing. Also, colleges will want to see recent testing if he intends to seek accommodations when he reaches the next level so you might as well go ahead and get it done. The post above also gives great advice about asking teachers to write letters on his behalf. If he’s receiving informal accommodations of any sort, having that documented can only help. It also never hurts to ask your son to write a personal statement of his own about how his disability affects him.</p>

<p>It’s also important that you get this process started ASAP. Since he’s a rising senior, there are only a few test dates remaining and it can sometimes take a few months to get testing completed/reports written.</p>

<p>In the meantime, he should prepare for the test as if he is not receiving any accommodations. I’m often in this situation with my students, and I’d rather have them prepared for the worst case, rather than hoping for the best. Also, as an aside, it is not unusual for students who are denied accommodations with the ACT to receive them with the SAT (current student is coping with this now…she took the SAT last Saturday kicking and screaming, but she needed to do it!). Always try with both, because you never know which will say yes! Please feel free to PM if you’d like to talk specifics. Good luck!</p>