Guidelines for staff

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Assessing the need for reasonable adjustments in exams for NESB students

Any requirement is made on an individual basis. However it may be appropriate to standardise the adjustments for cohorts of students (eg all first year NESB students provided with 10 minutes extra time per half hour of examination).

The minimum requirement for assessing the need of students to be provided with reasonable adjustments in examinations includes the following steps.

• Identify the type of examination for which an adjustment has been requested. For example, is it an examination in mathematics that is primarily concerned with formulae, or is it an examination that requires essay style writing in which language competency will be assessed. This will affect the type of adjustment, for example 5 minutes for every hour for a formulaic examination, to 15 minutes for every hour and a dictionary for an essay style examination.
• Assess fluency in each applicant. For example, take into account:
  1. the length of time and level of education acquired using the English language, and/or whether the student is employed in an organisation where English is the language of the workplace;
  2. the total period of residence in Australia or any other country where English is the first language, for example Britain or the United States of America;
  3. the IELTS/ASLPR/TOEFL entry scores for international students;
  4. any assessment from language and learning professionals;
  5. whether the student is studying English as a language, or receiving any other assistance with improving their English language skills, for example at TAFE, through a tutor, or through the QUT Foundation course.
• Identify any other factors affecting the level of competence in English language examinations. For example:
  1. Is this the first degree in which the applicant has been examined in the English language?
  2. Is this a mature age student who has not been engaged in study for some time?
  3. Has the student undertaken any other courses of study at tertiary level which were conducted in English? If so, were any adjustments made or concessions made available to the student?
  4. Recommendations from lecturers/tutors, or information regarding the level of participation and fluency displayed in discussions, tutorials, or assessments.
• Consider the timing of the request for an adjustment. For example, is the request being made by a student early in the course such as the first semester of the first year, or by a full-time student later in the course such as the last semester of the third year.
• Seek the advice of a Language and Learning Adviser in International Student Services where there is doubt or clarification is required.

Procedures set down by the Examinations Office for support to students from NESB in central theory exams

• Eligible students obtain a faculty application form. The faculty form seeks details on all factors to be considered by the course coordinator when assessing the need of students to be provided with reasonable adjustments in examination(s). (Students undertaking units run by the Faculties of Business, Built Environment & Engineering, and Information Technology do not need to apply.
  For more information refer to Application process for students).
• The completed form and any accompanying documentation is lodged with the faculty by the end of week 8/9.
• The faculty decision, identifying assistance to which the student is entitled (extra time, bilingual dictionary), is lodged with the Examinations Office by the end of week 11.
• The Examinations Office makes appropriate arrangements. Please note: The Examinations Office will not notify students in writing of their room allocation details. If a student’s application for the use of a bilingual dictionary and/or extra time has been approved by the relevant School/Faculty, the student MUST attempt their examination in the room allocated to them on QUT Virtual. Students will not be granted their special provisions if they attend a different room.

Policy

For policy on the provision of reasonable adjustments for students from NESB backgrounds