<p>I was in special ed k-12 my entire school life and I struggled A LOT with academics and they allowed me to cheat on state exams by giving me extra time. In HS I opted out (that's allowed in my state, it was stil on my IEP but I could opt out) and even though I didn't do as well, I passed (just above the threshold) but I passed fairly. I would rather have an EARNED B then a cheated A. In my college a student requested extra time on an exam and I stated it's unfair and she and 2 other students told me I should be thankful I don't have a handicap or learning difficulty when (they don't know) I was in special ed k-12 and struggled in academics. Why are students with learning disabilities given unfair advantages? Can't they just study hard like I did? And not everyone will become lawyers or doctors or Bill Gates. But if you work hard enough you can do well without cheating extra time. I was in special ed and struggled alot in academics so it's not like I don't understand what you are going through.</p>
<p>As a test prep tutor, I’ve worked with students of all different abilities – some applied for and received testing accommodations on the ACT/SAT. I can tell you that each student had his/her own unique cognitive/reading/medical challenge…and the time accommodations received did not take each student’s “unique needs” into consideration. If a student needed extra time, then in most cases there was a “one size fits all” extended time accommodation (approx. 1.5x the normally allowed time). Some students really needed all of that extra time, whereas others didn’t. Some students who didn’t receive time accommodations had more profound deficits than the ones who ended up getting time accommodations. It’s not a perfect system.</p>
<p>In my experience, the extended time accommodations for the ACT represent a greater test-taking advantage than those for the SAT. The ACT test is constructed to resolve scores primarily on a “speed” basis, so this isn’t surprising.</p>
<p>This is not a criticism at all – just the way the testing companies handle things.</p>
<p>Because the education system is corrupt…
Seriously it’s debatable but when I see kids in the top 10% of my grade getting superfluous extra time on standardized tests, the system is clearly being abused. </p>
<p>Because this thread raises a controversial subject, takes a position that is obviously callous and designed to foment greater controversy, and this is the OP’s first post, I will raise the possiblity that this is a ■■■■■.</p>
<p>OP does sort of have a point. My friend (who has “mild autism”) was able to get extended time on his ACT just because he got his parents to call in for him and say that he was autistic and absolutely needed the time. This kid finished Calc BC (the highest level of math offered at my public school) in sophomore year, finished both AP Physics C courses (never been done before at our school either), and has a near 4.0 GPA. It’s just not fair in some cases like that. </p>
<p>But I do believe kids with true disabilities that may severely inhibit their performance need this extra time in order to stay competitive with other applicants when it comes to applying for college. </p>
<p>^^^ This guy is right. Honestly, extra time is given to people in order to accommodate to their needs. It’s not cheated. That word disgusts me. Don’t ■■■■■. </p>
<p>ACT doesn’t give extra time because your parents call in. There is a process that requires submission of documentation and many more are denied than approved. I have a relative that had to submit letters from teachers, counselor letter plus copies of the approved IEP and DR notes. And even then it took two times. The poster is a ■■■■■ and the extra time is absolutely needed for certain students with certain issues. </p>
<p>I’m not saying the original poster isn’t a ■■■■■. But honestly – how does a near perfect student get extra time on the ACT due to “mild autism”? </p>
<p>Because the condition can create anxiety when time constraints are out in place. If he got it on the ACT then he also had it on tests in High School as well. You don’t get it just because there has to be an established track record. Below are the guidelines </p>
<p>ACT Test Accommodations for Students with Disabilities 2013–2014</p>
<p>2013–2014
National Extended Time (50% more time)</p>
<p>Special Testing (at school)</p>
<p>Eligibility to Request Extended Time</p>
<p>Professionally diagnosed condition.
Appropriate documentation on file at school.
Extended time used on tests in school due to disability.</p>
<p>The kid I’m talking about from my school hasn’t had any problems whatsoever with testing. I’ve had him in at least one class per year for the past 5 years.</p>
<p>Shocking! A system designed for the benefit of humanity has been exploited by members of the social elite! Release the dogs!</p>